A Touch of Humanity
Appreciating those moments........
Something delighted me the other day. Unexpected, a small moment, but another demonstration to me, of just how important our appreciation and cultivation of the local and human interaction is now, more than ever and that, within which, together with nature (when its not challenging us), friendship and giving, lies true joy.
I had put in an order for some rather important work materials and had double and triple checked the delivery address was the new one, been into my account and changed all details there etc., etc., and was hoping to receive them in time for a weekend of work, but was not counting on it. However, I was soon notified that they would arrive the day before, which was perfect.
However that day came and I received an email of attempted delivery….. to the old address. Thinking I was going mad I checked again that all the details had been changed in my account and for the delivery address….. they had been.
Hmmm, so there must be somewhere else I couldn’t access which stored my data, that I couldn’t change. This required contacting the very well known company – online as of course you can’t just call someone these days. Eventually I was assured it was all changed but none the wiser as to where the wrong information had been stored.
However I was pleased to see that I could change delivery address on the Royal Mail notification which I duly did and picked the next day for delivery.
By the time I came to leave the next day nothing had arrived yet but I couldn’t wait any longer. Off I trundled down our lovely but very wet and pot holed lanes delighting in some rare sunshine. At the top of a one way bit I stopped to let a looming red van pass only to realise it was the post !
Through the open window I said, “Ah I think you have a package for me” – “Yes he says”, without so much as a pause, “so not number 11 but number 14!” Handing over the package without even asking my name. “Indeed!” I said amazed that he knew all about it and had connected the two places (two villages 5 miles apart) and knew who I was bearing in mind I had only seen this parcel delivery postman once at the new address, and a handful of times at the old one. No need for QR codes and authenitcation. Lots of smiles exchanged and on we went.
It may seem fairly normal to you but it stood out to me as an unusual and valuable moment, these days, apart from the satisfaction of great timing, perhaps because I have dealt with many frustrating anonymous mail issues online over the years. As more and more people across the world find themselves coping with big challenges, be it storms and fires to illness and day to day living, its our noticing of the details and care for each other which gets us through.
Next time I see him I will let him know as I think spontaneous real service really can’t be taken for granted these days.
I notice the little touches, a label crafted by hand sent with a delivery, the small business care and personal interaction, the depth that shopping local brings with moments to chat and ask how someone is, knowing the love which has gone into something handmade, lovely neighbours and generally even more rare these days, though up and coming, something grown locally.
With that in mind I have determined to bring increased focus towards balancing the online and the face to face and to cultivate these human moments even more, especially when approaching situations I really don’t relish such as catching a flight next weekend. The last time I did that a few months ago from Gatwick, the UK side was stark in its distinct lack of pleasantness which was highlighted by the contrasting respect and friendliness the other end at Athens where I felt a valued human again. My tendency is to brace myself and withdraw in situations like that, feeling the collective assault on humanity, but my aim is to maintain a relaxed open approach welcoming nice moments and letting the unpleasant ones pass me by like water off a duck’s back!
I will let you know how it goes and hope you have a week of lovely moments, but in the mean time I am appreciating the snowdrops pushing their heads through the cold and the rain and the wind. True way showers of better things to come !
