Good folks

I appreciate the things in life that remind me to be a better person.

Summiting the pass from Chile, I wanted to cry. My legs were tired, the sweat stung my eyes, and demon bugs swarmed. I reminded myself to stay calm and take deep breaths.

I was sort of panicking.

Johanna was walking toward me, also clearly uncomfortable.

We decided to take a quick picture, skip lunch for the time and begin our descent.

A woman was standing nearby and we asked her to take our picture.

“Of course.”

She took our photo and chatted with us for just a bit.

She and her husband had each retired and decided to travel the world, opting for a slightly less physically demanding adventure, a rented motor-home rather than a couple of bicycles.

As the clouds gathered, she offered us a cup of coffee.

Johanna hesitated.

“I’d love a cup of coffee.”

So, she invited us inside her home on wheels, offered us a seat, put a tea kettle on to boil, poured some cookies into a bowl and sat down to chat.

When the water boiled, she pulled from the cupboard four mugs, two for us and two for she and her husband.

She pulled out the instant coffee, the powdered milk, and the sugar packets collected at rest stops.

I stirred my coffee, sipped and smiled.

We made small talk as my confidence in the day and good people was slowly restored.

I appreciate the Hollanders that welcomed us into their tiny home.