35 Comments
User's avatar
Daniel Catena's avatar

You never know when a bottle opener comes in handy even if you never use it. Last minute birthday gift? Fun read, I’m glad you made that person’s day!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Thanks Daniel! And you're right about never knowing. I carried a corkscrew in my purse for years, because I was a bartender. That thing was a lifesaver in countless situations 😁

Expand full comment
Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

Sweet story

Expand full comment
Susan Ross's avatar

I'm in Australia and we recently had a federal election. Anthony Albanese was re-elected in a landslide. He spoke a lot, in his campaign, about kindness. It resonated with so many of us. In this chaotic, often soul destroying world, that simple message seemed profound, especially from a politician. Kindness, as you have highlighted, can be such a simple thing. Thanks Kristi. Loved reading this.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Wow, Susan you're so fortunate to have such a thoughtful man as your nation's leader. That's amazing and gives me hope that some places in the world just "get it."

Expand full comment
Joy DeSomber's avatar

This made me smile, Kristi. Kindness is King. We don't realize it unless we slow down and think about how hard people are trying to earn money, and everyone has a story.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Joy, this is exactly what I always try to keep in mind when traveling. It's difficult to balance though too, because we can't help everyone but we CAN choose even just one person at a time.

Expand full comment
Jules Torti's avatar

I will now forever think of that useless 'g' whenever I have lasana. Yeah, it kind of needs the 'g' after all! The 'n' key came off my laptop keyboard a month ago and I'm hoping I can keep ticking along here with just the rubberized nub because if I can only type 'lasaga' there's going to be a lot of confusion. Or, cofusio.

Expand full comment
Joy DeSomber's avatar

Maybe you'll get creative and think up a whole "n-free" story. You just reminded me of the time (about a decade and a half ago) when my mom's dog ran across my keyboard and about five keys were torn off. I'd just purchased the laptop, used, but new to me, so I used it that way for quite a few years, and was beyond excited when I bought my next one, completely intact with all the letters.

The English language is so ridiculous, with unnecessary letters everywhere, and some that are just confusing; why is it never enuff?

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Hahaha Joy, what a pain that must have been 😁 But you're right, English is so weird.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

πŸ˜†πŸ˜† Now I’m thinking of all the words that will be weird without N’s

Expand full comment
Jules Torti's avatar

Both our names remain unaffected, whew!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

That's a pretty short story....

Kristi & Jules lived here. They did well without a letter. That's all. 🀣

Expand full comment
Jules Torti's avatar

I like how you suggested "that's all" because "the end" won't work in the n-less conditions!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

That was a carefully crafted piece of work!

Expand full comment
Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

I love how you think with your heart and act with it also. You made my day just reading this.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Thank you so much Kathleen! You know, leading with heart isn't always the first choice among humans but I've lived enough life to have experienced how incredible our interactions can be if we just give it a chance. I'm so glad this story touched you 😊

Expand full comment
Teyani Whitman's avatar

This is a such a tender story. Love it. And I kinda think the bottle opener souvenir is doing its job despite not opening any bottles… it reminds you of Jamaica, πŸ‡―πŸ‡² and transports you immediately there. Isn’t that what souvenirs are for after all?

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

I suppose you are correct, Teyani. Even if it never opens a bottle, it has fulfilled its purpose of telling the story. 😊

Expand full comment
Nancy Hesting's avatar

What a great uplifting story. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Love this, Kristi! It's amazing what not only the right 'place' but the right attitude will bring! He sounded like a sweet old dude and smart as a whip. Generosity goes a long way, and honestly, it always makes the giver feel as good (if not better) than the receiver. Happy story!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

I agree so much about feeling better than the receiver! I even feel that way if I pay for someone at the drive-thru. It’s so gratifying to do good things.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I can just see that sweet guyβ€”it’s like the world puts these unbelievable beings in place, right in front of you. Love that.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

They sure make it uncomfortable, don't they! I'm glad this one turned out differently 😊

Expand full comment
Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Daww... Your generosity towards the old man, and his immediate, heartfelt reaction, is such a beautiful example of how even the smallest acts of kindness can create ripples of positive energy far beyond what we might expect. It wasn't just about the $10; it was about the acknowledgement, the respect, and the unexpected moment of connection you shared.

Thanks for shining a light on these often-overlooked, yet incredibly significant, human interactions.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Alexander, that was my favorite part as well...the fact that he acknowledged this moment by telling me something good will happen. These are my favorite human moments. ❀️

Expand full comment
Cynthia Vaughn's avatar

Great story and a title that made me laugh!

Expand full comment
Steve Florman's avatar

The G in "lasagna" is what makes it "la-ZAHN-ya" instead of "la-SAH-na," so maybe that bottle opener will find a use someday! 🀣

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Bahahaa Steve...you must be the mayor of Facts-ville 🀣 Thanks for this laugh!

Expand full comment
Tim Ebl πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

I'm still wondering why the bottle opener was in the glove compartment. The only thing that belongs in there is gloves, of course. If there were a bottle opener compartment...

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

Lol I have no idea! Not a clue.

I also have a few CDs in my console. I haven't had a car with a CD player in eons!!! 🀣

Expand full comment
Donna McArthur's avatar

This is exactly the kind of story, and mindset, our world needs right now. It’s also excellent writing. I love the way you drew us in with the first paragraph.

I’m with you in finding it extra annoying when folks are parked outside the ATM.

Expand full comment
Cerina Triglavcanin's avatar

Good on you!

Expand full comment
Cerina Triglavcanin's avatar

Sorry, having reread my comment, it’s sounds a little sarcastic. I genuinely thought that that was a very kind thing you did to purchase an item which you didn’t need, and then offered the change.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦'s avatar

LOL I didn't think it sounded sarcastic! It just sounded like you were in a hurry. Sometimes, I don't have big comments to add either, but small notes are just as welcome 😊

Expand full comment