Small Gestures

Image courtesy of Indie Knit and Spin

Saturday was spent at our summer home away from home, Ligonier Country Market. We spend twenty Saturdays a year with our friends at Ligonier. With so much time spent with the same people, it isn't any wonder we have come to think of them as our market family. On Saturday, we celebrated the birthday of one of our favorite market family members. Our friend, Carlene, also known as PrAiry Girl, turned seventy-five years young.

To say that Carlene is a force of nature is an understatement. Carlene independently runs and manages her farm and business. She has fiber animals that she cares for, sheers, dyes their wool, and turns it into usable fiber. Carlene's fiber products are beautiful, of the highest quality, and, like her, one of a kind. I love to go to her tent and pour over her socks, fleeces, roving, and hand-dyed yarns. I have no skills in knitting or crocheting, but Carlene's fibers make me long for the ability to create blankets and sweaters.

It is fascinating to talk with Carlene and learn about her life. Her life experience spans the entirety of the United States; she has done everything from teaching at an Ivy League college to working with inmates and farming. At seventy-five years of age, she is more active and motivated than most twenty-year-olds. I admire her love of life, positive attitude, and fresh perspective. When I talk with Carlene, I always feel like I am going on an adventure. She has a heart of gold, a generous soul, and the most lovely spirit. I am proud to call her my friend.

One of my favorite memories of my friend will always be her, Jordan, and Jenna trying to catch my big white rooster after our Spring festival. Carlene asked me if she could have one of my roosters. Knowing that this handsome fellow would go to the equivalent of chicken paradise made agreeing a no-brainer. Carlene, my fifteen-year-old daughter, and my twenty-four-year-old friend chased the rooster all over the farm. Carlene was the one to catch him eventually. The laughter during and after this experience was priceless.

One rarely feels as if they have done something to make another genuinely happy. If the look on Carlene's face during our birthday luncheon indicated how she felt, we made her birthday special. She sat smiling at all of us while she enthralled us with her stories. She was actually glowing during our luncheon. We gave her a small gift of her favorite candy and a beautiful bouquet. One would have thought we gave her the moon. I love that about my friend. There is no pretense about her whatsoever. Carlene is a genuine soul.

Saturday's celebration of the fantastic life my friend has led so far did my heart good. It was merely burgers with friends, but gathering with those I love, seeing the appreciation on her face, and knowing we did something to brighten someone's day was worthwhile. It reminded me that the little things in life have the most meaning. I will hold that luncheon in my memory for years to come, and it will continue to make me smile.

On this hot and dry summer's day, stay safe, be smart, celebrate the ones you love, understand that the smallest gestures often have the most meaning, and keep washing your hands.