As I was on Galiano Island waiting for the ferry to take me back to Swartz Bay on Sunday afternoon, I watched a woman with a flat of flowers going from car to car. I first thought how nice it was that someone could go around, make some money and bring colour into the lives of those in the ferry line-up. I wondered if the ferry authorities were going to stop her. Ferry staff were ignoring her and trying to get a van to the dock. The incoming ferry had almost arrived and there was a motorcycle blocking the way. It was a very warm afternoon and the parking lot was full of families and people making their way home after being on the island for the weekend.
Ferry staff were patient and were very nice with the owner of the motorcycle who eventually came up from the beach and moved his bike. They smiled, and were well organized and pleasant as they began to prepare for loading. I reflected on how difficult it must be dealing with people everyday. I walked back to my car and as I sat down saw that my wife had some flowers. I said: “That’s nice that you bought some flowers.” My wife informed me they were a gift! A gift from the woman who was walking around with the flat of flowers. Many of the people in the parking lot had come for a family wedding and these flowers were left over from the wedding.
“What a lovely thing to do” I thought. They could have been left at the place they were staying, recycled, or just thrown them away. Instead, the flowers were shared with the folk in the ferry line-up. A wonderful example of random kindness in action. I hope that they affected the others in the ferry line-up the way they affected me and my wife. It brought colour and joy to us. The flowers were in a mason jar. We will keep the jar as a memory of the gift given us by strangers.
I believe there is a kindness and a love deep within all humanity. We see that in how we respond to tragedies overseas. We also see that in the overwhelming response to the refugee crisis. Each morning I walk past the place where InTent City sat in our community. On the lot there is a playground and green space now. I believe green spaces within urban areas are very important. However, I wonder what the lasting effects will be on our communities around the issues raised by InTent City and how we responded as a community to fellow human beings needing housing and care. Many reached out to help and care but many others said “Not in my neighbourhood.” At the end of the day what will be the story that defines our city and what will be the story that defines our generation? Will we be remembered as the ones who had the opportunity to reach out, and care and change?
As we are challenged and affected by the stories of horror coming from various parts of the world where can we find hope. Last week it was found in the care and compassion exhibited in Manchester, England, and Portland, Oregon, to name but two. We know that although they happen miles away they still affect us and the way we look at the world. They can affect how we live in the world and how we relate to other human beings. We can become overwhelmed.
We should never, however, dismiss the power of a simple act of kindness. We live in a world connected by technology, globalization and colonialism. Long before we connected ourselves in this way the Creator connected us as human beings. The very essence of who we are is found in the great stories of humanity. We are one. We can turn this world around by kindness, compassion, peaceful acts, non-violence and love. Desmond Tutu said: “Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death.” This week be goodness and love and choose life. Walk gently with one another, walk gently on the earth and walk gently with the Creator.
The Right Reverend Logan McMenamie is the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of British Columbia
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