Impact

Lately there’s been a theme woven into random moments of my life. I love when there’s a random tie-in to stories that just happen. Serendipitous. If life were a movie, they’d be in the montage together.

It all started with a casual chat where a friend and I were listing off our favorite recent shows. On one of my turns, I rattled off that during Jazz Fest I was honored to be in the presence of the legendary Mavis Staples. During her show Staples let out a one of her infamous giggles. She’s 83 years-young and still shines on stage. There’s an aura of joy that emanates from Mavis Staples into the crowd. The giggle transported me to an interview by Hanif Abdurraqib, wonderful poet and essayist, on his podcase Object of Sound that I listened to prior to the show. (Give it a listen) In the interview, Staples talks about how Mahalia Jackson a more experienced gospel singer taught her how to take care of her voice. Out of all the memories she has, which must be bountiful, a woman gave her advise and it remains. Kindness in sharing. Kindness in being a mentor.

A similar story came up while at a Preservation Hall show in New Orleans (I lived there for a month, thus the repetitive story location). The lead trumpet player, Mark Braud, was introducing the legacy performer, Charlie Gabriel. Braud said he was honored to introduce of Gabriel because he was there for the Braud’s early gig on a steamboat. And what did Braud remember about Gabriel? The he was kind to Braud. Again, after so many years, kindness was notable.

The latest thread came up during a dog walk with my dad. Our dog walks are cherished time for me; we simply chat and admire my dog Emma. My dad recently retired, but he was filling in at a real estate closing for the lawyer that he passed on his law firm to. At the real estate closing, the lawyer representing the seller told my dad that she remembers him since he the “other” lawyer during her first closing. She remembered him because he was patient and kind to her.

Likely to the older, wiser person it was just another day - another gig, another closing. Another conversation. They were just being themselves, and being kind. Yet it meant something. They just didn’t realize it. You never know the impact that you make on others.

Dear stranger, do you have a story of a gift of notable kindness? Or where you were the wiser person passing on gems of experience?