It was getting pretty toasty out on The Way when I walked up and into the small village of Montgross, and then up and into Maison de Rosalie — a relatively high-end restaurant and B&B … The place was pretty packed (with tourists and locals and pilgrims alike) when I entered, so I waited patiently off to the side until the head waiter had a free moment, whereupon I briefly explained my Walk and gently asked for a glass of water. To my great surprise — and indeed the great shock of many seated nearby — he quite rudely turned down my request and just as brusquely sent me back out into the hot sun; and yet not before he inadvertently served my Walk’s Purpose — by allowing me to thank him anyway, and by smiling softly to a few of the patrons who had witnessed the whole sordid affair, thereby reminding them all quite powerfully that Kindness is always givable (even when we are “too busy” or “too tired” or “too bothered”), and that Kindness is always warranted (even when confronted by those who seem “least worthy” or “least deserving” of the same) … 😉

“Some would say that life is too short to waste on people who don’t respect, appreciate, &/or value us. Of course, these are actually precisely the people who give life its deepest Meaning – whenever we choose to Love them anyway. ” ~ inspired by Roy T. Bennett

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt