God Smiled and So Did I
Image by moonflower5 from Pixabay AI generated
We had a wonderful experience of humanity at our best on Halloween in Montpelier, Vermont. We just happened to go downtown to fill in an hour or so before supper. Our goal was to walk in the waning sunshine and check out a few stores. We weren’t thinking about Halloween.
Our adventure started with our search for a parking spot. We wandered down several streets, in and out, until we returned to Main Street and an empty spot appeared. Of course, there were parking meters. We had no U.S. change. Tom waited in the car while I slipped into the nearest business, “The Three Penny Taproom.” A beautiful young woman smiled a welcome and answered, “Sure,” to my request for change. She checked the clock. “It’s four o’clock, You only need four quarters. We’ve free parking after five.” She pushed a button. The cash register clanged open, revealing an empty quarter compartment. “Just a minute,” she said. “I’ll be right back. She disappeared in the dimness.
I watched a few costumed children come in laughing, hands outstretched for candy. “That’s good you have treats for the kids.” I said to another waiter.
“All the merchants do,” she answered as she turned to another customer. My waiter returned, handed me back my ten-dollar bill and four quarters. “No one had any change. I found this in my wallet. You can have it. You need it.”
“Thank you. You are so kind. I’ll pay it forward,” I said. “What a lovely intro to Montpelier.”
By the time I returned to our car, our friends had found us. The street filled up with costumes. Alligators, policemen, astronauts, dancers, Darth Vaders, Princess Leias and many more. The variety and creativity were awe inspiring. Parents and children both in costumes, all enjoying being someone or something else. We walked up the street, our smiles widening till our cheeks hurt.
At one store, an older man dressed in a Santa Claus costume held a bearded lizard for all passers-by to pat. He answered all our questions. He told us this lizard was only three years old, but would probably live to be a hundred. She calmly lay in his hands soaking up the attention. He had rescued her from ill-treatment. It was obvious that she totally trusted him to care for her in the midst of the noise and people who surrounded her. We walked on, immersed in laughter, generosity, and kindness. People of all ages from babes in arms to grandparents our age, all dressed colourfully in costumes, obviously having fun.
No one seemed afraid. Acceptance was expected and received. At each store, the children reached into boxes and baskets and took out just one piece of candy. I thought this is how God intends all of us, all of God’s children, to be. I’ll bet God is laughing and celebrating today, too.
As human beings, we are basically good. We can live well together. We can have fun together, strangers and friends. This blog is my thank you to Montpelier, Vermont. You have shown me what the Bible means when we read, “The time will come when the lion will lie down with the lamb.” There is hope. We can live together in harmony. May it be so.