
Kate, Kindness, & The County Fair
I was standing in line waiting to ride the swings at the local Wilson County Fair. A little girl (probably around 8 ) stood behind me. She had glasses, pigtails, and an adorable polkadot dress on! She tapped me on the shoulder and we became instant friends. She had a thick southern country accent, a strong sense of belonging, and a sweet sweet innocence about her. She was thrilled to be where she was and wasn’t worried about what she did not have.
Kate told me she showed up with $4 bucks, got in for free, people fed her corndogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy, she saw a hypnotist that could make magic, that this was her 27th ride that night, that she won not 1 but 2 stuffed animals for free, and that the only ride she may NOT ride was “that kid roller coaster, cuz It’s for sissys”, Oh AND that she still had her $4 bucks.
Here is our full conversation :
Kate — “My names Kate what’s yours?” — “
Me — “I’m Felicia, how are you Kate?!” —
Kate: -” I’m pretty good, are you here by yourself Felicia? And will you take my selfie?”
Me: “Of course I will! And Yes! I’m here by myself! Are you here by yourself?”
Kate: “Well, I got a brother round’ here somewhere, but I don’t like him much.”
Me: “Cool. So your just hanging out by yourself?”
Kate: “Yep! I like it that way most times. I’m actually really really cool! I love myself.”
Me: “you are pretty cool Kate.”
Kate: “I guess your pretty cool too Felicia, wanna be friends for tonight and ride the rides together.”
Me: “Uh YES! Kate will you take my selfie too?!”
Kate: “duh! We are totally gonna be cool friends.”
Me: “We sure are.”
Bless you sweet Kate for reminding me -
-that I am really really cool😎 & to LOVE and embrace myself and all of my coolness always.
- that if you believe in yourself… ANYTHING can happen and you can ride ALL 27 of the rides regardless.
-to talk to strangers and make new friends without fear of rejection.
-to live in and be open to the present moment because you never know when a “Kate” could be RIGHT behind you.
-to love everybody regardless of age, gender, or race.
❤