I made a contract

As I was driving to an event from Dorchester to South Boston today, a sentence entered my mind. It was "I made a contract." I made a contract with society that I would keep my neighbor safe. This thought affects my driving and other aspects of my life.

I was at a red traffic light, and a woman in a SUV was positioned to my right. As the light turned green, she took off with great speed, and I said to myself, "I made a contract." A traffic stop sign was a short distance ahead. She and I both approached it, but she was far in front of me, and she did not slow down. She passed through the stop sign, perhaps because she was able to do so with getting caught. I stopped at the sign.

The next traffic light approached. It was green, then yellow, then red, for a few seconds, and she ran through it, and so did the car after her. I stopped and waited. 

I often want to say to people, "Wait your turn."

Just because you can disregard traffic signals doesn't mean it is the best thing for society. I made a contract with society. I have to choose what will make society run smoother. 

As I continued onward, another car parked half in a legal space and half in a prohibited space. If I were in that situation, I would find another parking space. I then watched a car zigzag down the side street swerving from left to right before he finally double-parked and walked into a brownstone. I made a contract that I would not block traffic for my own individual purpose. All in all, I traveled 3 miles. 

I would rather that driver slow it down on South Boston streets because you cannot tell when a pedestrian will appear in between cars to cross the road. I admit that many Bostonian pedestrians are brazen and entitled, but I made a contract to keep them safe.

I drive too fast at times on highways, and yet I try not to stay in the left lane except to pass. I do get annoyed when a car drives slowly in the left lane. I also get annoyed when people decide not to communicate with me by using one's directionals. Why would you not want to tell me that you are going to suddenly change lanes by using your signals? Often you put me in harm's way. 

I could take liberties as others do, but I made a contract with society when I got my license. I could disregard rules and get away with it, and I would not feel proud. I want to feel proud of society and each person's commitment to making society protect others. 

17th. Annual Agape Fundraiser

 This is an organization from a high school friend, Lynne Guhman Voggu, who left the financial industry to set up an AIDS orphanage in India. She is holding a fundraiser in Brookline, MA on October 14th. I hope you consider a donation of any size.  

17th. Annual Agape Fundraiser Agape AIDS Orphanage

Such Goodness

When I arrived at Greenport, Long Island two weeks ago, my friends took me to Aldo's Coffeehouse, the flagship store for their enterprising business. Aldo, the owner, has incredibly white wispy hair that has become a trademark of the coffee. The place is a roasterie for coffee that is sold nationally and internationally. They also sell crispy croissants and scones - no variety, just one type, and they are quite good. The roasting of the eans attracts the best coffee connoisseur to the cafe for a moment of goodness. 

After we received our order, we decided to sit outdoors in the back patio that was elevated by 1x4 wooden slats. The aroma of roasted coffee wafted through the roof and settled upon us refreshingly. John sat across from me while Renee rose to get some napkins. As John was talking, he lowered his arm and I saw something move, but I did not know what happened because it was all so quick. John panicked as his wedding ring flew off his finger and in between the slats. He could not imagine how it happened as he was not fiddling with it and it did not easily slide over his knuckles. He just lowered his arm and his ring slipped off. Underneath the slats were piles of leaves that accumulated over time.

John, Renee, and I got on our knees with our phone flashlights to see if we could spot the ring. Nothing. No signs. Finally, Don, a handyman worker at the shop noticed what we were doing and came over to ask questions. He rose and went into action. He retrieved a pry bar and hammer and he started lifting the slats that were affixed professionally to the base. He lifted up the first bar and saw nothing. He lifted up the second one and the ring that denoted 38 years of marriage was sitting upon a leaf as if it were waiting to be re-discovered. John and Renee so happy. 

Don refused any expression of gratitude except to receive words of thanks. He did not have to go above and beyond in his level of service, but he made one couple very happy. We were all left with this immense feeling of goodness that permeates the world and such positive memories of being helped by a good soul.