It’s Good Luck to Be Nice
I had stopped at the Cleveland Food Coop on Saturday to pick up a few things. As I walked toward the building, I was approached by a smiling woman. She spoke little English; and started to talk to me in what I figured was Russian. I know one Russian phrase: lubov nyick o toschka. (When my father was courting my mother, he asked my grandfather for his daughter’s hand in marriage. My grandfather, ever the practical man, asked, “How will you support her” My dad, ever the romantic, responded, “I love her.” My grandfather’s question,: ” Yes, but how will you support her?”
“But I love her,” my dad repeated. “Lubov nyick o toschka—love is not a potato.” Evidently my grandfather and my dad worked it out.)
I used my one Russian phrase, and the woman laughed heartily and responded with a litany of Russian (none of which I understood). After a while, I figured out that she was looking for cucumber plants, and that she had walked about 6 miles to get them. The Coop didn’t have any cukes left, but the garden shop just up the road did. The woman walked away and I proceeded to pick up the items I needed.
Driving over to the garden shop, I saw the woman carrying a flat of plants. I asked her if she would like a ride home.
During our ride up the hill, I learned that the woman has a son and daughter here, and that she like being in the US. She lives in an apartment building that houses many immigrants, as well as senior citizens, and she gardens in a community garden across from her building. We walked to the garden and she showed me her plot. Tomatoes, dill, beets, potatoes, mints (”the tea will help you sleep”), and a plant I didn’t recognize were flourishing. The cucumbers would go in the pace that had been prepared for them.
We embraced as I walked toward my car. “You will come back to see me?” she asked, knowing that I will.
I thought about this woman who walked 6 miles for cucumber plants, and asked a stranger for help in a language she barely knew. I thought about the courage it takes to leave a place where you have always lived to travel to a new land, a new home. I thought about my own grandparents, who, like this woman, left their homes, for the promise of a better life.
The next time I am in Cleveland, I will go to the community garden and see if my new friend is there. I will bring her flowers, for she has given me more than she knows.
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Travis Erwin said,
June 4, 2008 @ 10:00 am
Cool story. It’s funny how the littlest of things can change our perspective on life.
Mary said,
June 4, 2008 @ 10:32 am
In this fast paced world, you have not lost the ability to look someone in the eye, trust them and share your heart and life with them. That is the wonder of you!
What a very nice day you both had!
Mary Witzl said,
June 4, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
What I find amazing is that she could spot the Russian in you — either that, or she was just very lucky. And “Love is not a potato” is a good phrase to know in that it is funny. Even if you can’t communicate 100%, a good laugh is fun to share.
I’d go back and visit her too!
Barbara Martin said,
June 4, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
One never knows what is just around the corner with a chance meeting, a kind word or gesture. It will bring a multitude of new experiences that are to be enjoyed and cherished. Just like your meeting with this woman. A blessing in disguise.
Linda / Lyndi said,
June 4, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
What a great story. Hope you visit her again.
It reminded me of my old French teacher in college who was Czechoslovakian. She moved to Cleveland after WWII and had to learn English. Sometimes she got her wores confused. She said one day she went into the store and ask for a head of garbage, lol. The grocer asked her what she wanted in German and she told him. “Lady,” he said, “you want cabbage. You don’t want garbage.”
Linda
piscesgrrl said,
June 4, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
That is a lovely story! The only thing I can remember in Japanese is how to say raisin head. At least I think that’s what I’m saying. Maybe the joke was (and is) on me?
I love serendipitous moments like that.
Eryl Shields said,
June 4, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
Great story, I love the idea of a community garden. And I love your Russian phrase.
Larramie said,
June 4, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
You are so kind.
Cathy said,
June 5, 2008 @ 7:01 am
Well, she was lucky to meet you too! One of life’s sweet moments!
De Smith said,
June 7, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Thanks for sharing that, Debra-it brightened my whole day! What a great way to start the morning…
Ren said,
June 7, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Beautiful.
Ren said,
June 7, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Beautiful. I just came home from our local farmer’s market, full of happy feelings about growing food and buying local food…your post made my day.
Paris Parfait said,
June 7, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
What a wonderful story! I love serendipitous encounters like this.
Amy said,
June 9, 2008 @ 10:07 am
What a great happening (I was going to say story, but that implies something not quite true). We’re all so scared to reach out, and really, many times we shouldn’t be.
Laura said,
June 11, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
That brought tears to my eyes. Isn’t that what we all seek? That connection with one another? And it can happen even when we aren’t looking for it. Like a little miracle.
Thanks for that, Debra.