Mike Morin

If you want to see what brings out the worst out in people, watch cable news or catch the keyboard warriors on Facebook or nextdoor, the neighborhood chat line of ranters and some people trying to be helpful.

If you’d rather observe what brings out the best in people, get a dog or follow me around.

Last Sunday while strolling the Nashua Farmer’s Market to get my weekly fix of spinach pie and baklava from JajaBelle’s, the first of two randomly nice things happened to me. After scoring the Greek goods, I struggled while walking, to open my insulated bag that was held closed by Velcro. As I attempted to open the bag one-handed, a woman following about 15 feet behind remarked, “Looks like you could use some help.” She kindly wrestled my bag open as I put the JajaBelle’s treats in with my free hand.

I thanked her and off she went. Now THAT was an unsolicited assist because I was too lazy to put the bag down and load it up with both hands.

Maybe this way a karma payback moment. Just a moment earlier, I distracted yellow jacket hornets while the person serving me opened up a cookie sheet loaded with the honey, nut and phyllo treats. I would have taken a few stings for that baklava.

Next, I hit Shaw’s on the D.W. for a few things. Just as it was my turn to pay, I reached for my wallet which wasn’t in my usual rear pocket. Noooo! Don’t tell me the helpful baklava babe lifted my wallet while helping me at the Farmer’s Market.

I’m happy to report she did not rob me. The CVS drive-thru pharmacist popped my credit card in the bag which I didn’t transfer back to my wallet.

Back to the Shaw’s checkout. As soon as I discovered I had no way to pay, I blanched, then blushed, then announced, “My wallet’s in the car.” I would sprint out the door before the pint of Ben and Jerry’s the lady behind me was buying, melted. The cashier, and two shoppers behind me looked at my skinny physique and concluded I could probably get back in about 90 seconds. I did. I’m sure I over-thanked everyone from the deli manager to the producers of Game of Thrones.

The previous day, I caught up with former Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee at Delta Dental Stadium for a Fisher Cats fundraiser. Lee, 75 and wearing the bright yellow uniform of the Savannah Bananas was setting up to throw batting practice. I went out to the mound to say Hello. Here’s a guy that nearly died twice at the minor league Bananas game three weeks previously, when he stopped breathing.

Lee could not have been nicer. Might have been feelings of guilt. Two years earlier, Spaceman tossed a dinner roll at my head while I was at the podium. He cracked a smile when I reminded him. Welcome to my Happy Hall of Fame.

Contact Mike Morin at mike morinmedia@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @MikeMorinMedia. His column runs the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month.

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