As I have written about previously, I am so fortunate to have a summer cottage in Maine. There are so many aspects of being up there that I love, all too many to mention. One part of Maine that I really appreciate in the summer is the bountiful farmer’s market in Saco. Every Saturday in a normal year, the market trip is a highlight of the day. The market has many farmers with an amazing array of products.

I can’t tell you when it was that I began to develop a friendship with John, who manned the table for Alewife’s Brook Farm. He was a solid man with big hands who would always greet us with a smile and a handshake. Over the years, I heard about his family, bits about his life and also we would talk about the weather. He was always interested in my kids and would joke around with my daughter when she was at UVM, as Vermont and Maine were hockey rivals. He could always be counted on to provide an amazing treat - whether it was a greenhouse grown cherry tomato in May or his delicious strawberries. He knew how much I loved those berries, and he would save me a couple of quarts in the truck when the supply was low so I would always have some. During the winter, I would eat strawberry jam from the farm that was all the sweeter knowing that I had gotten it from him. I truly could go on and on, but you get the picture.

This year, we had been quarantined in Maine due to Covid until this weekend, so I had not been able to go to the market. I had gotten some curbside pickup right from the farm, but he didn’t deliver the food to the car, and I didn’t think to ask about him. Anyway, this Saturday we were able to finally make it to the market. Many farms are not there due to the virus, but Alewife’s Brook was there with a young woman behind the counter. This is when I learned that John had died of a heart attack on Super Bowl Sunday at the age of 61.

I’m not sure what to say about this, but decided that this man and this relationship deserved a blog post. I think that his life was just a perfect example of how you never know when and how much kindness can impact the people with whom you interact. As i was telling this story to a friend, she encouraged me to post this. We all have these people in our lives. Some just hidden from us in this weird time of covid. This thread of love and care is what makes the world beautiful.

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Nancy C Murray is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, Reiki master and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.