Some of you may recall that I mention Sam occasionally. She is an important person in my life because I'm extremely fond of her and because she cares for my golden tresses.
The Hurricane took this photo of me gazing in the window of City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco:
 |
| Golden tresses courtesy of Sam. |
 |
| Baby courtesy of Sam. (photo stolen from Sam's Facebook page) You may have noticed that Sam has some tats. A lot of people do, including Favorite Young Man. Initially, I disapproved of Favorite Young Man's tattoos, but I got over it because A. It's none of my fricking business, and B. It's none of my fricking business. |
I do not have tattoos, but I have learned to develop what I hope is a pleasant curiosity about the meanings behind other people's tats. Recently, though, Sam had an experience with someone whose curiosity about her tattoos was not so pleasant, but telling you about it gives me an opportunity to be even more grateful for my Samsam than I usually am.
Here's the story, Morning Glory:
Sam went in a restaurant for breakfast. An elderly couple looked at her, and the woman said, That's disgusting. Who would do that to themselves?
Now, you should know that Sam is quite fond of older people. She helps her granny a lot. I've never seen Sam behave in a rude or unpleasant manner, even though Sam and I are on opposite ends of the political spectrum.
As Sam ate her breakfast, the woman stared at her, and not in a friendly way. Maybe she thought that if she looked hard enough that she would develop laser vision to make Sam's tattoos disappear.
So what did Sam do about it?
She paid for the couple's breakfast.
God bless your sweet little heart, Sam. What a beautiful way to deal with those people.
 |
| Also stolen from Sam's Facebook page. If you happen to need to get your hair done in Orange Park, Florida, then let me know. I'll tell you how to get in touch with Sam because she's the best in every way. I am so grateful for you, Sam. |
Infinities of Sam love,
Janie Junebug
That's epic, Janie. Hats off to Sam for committing a random act of greatness. I agree with her philosophy. When you encounter hate, love it to death.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is perfect, Sir Shady.
DeleteI agree. Love conquers hate. We just have to remember that at the right times. Not easy. Sam is a shining example of an excellent pure memory. :)
ReplyDeleteSam is a keeper.
DeleteSam and her patience are to be admired. I don't know what I would have done in that situation, jump out to try and frighten-induce a heart attack? That probably wouldn't have ingratiated me to anyone. Did she get to see the confused look on their face?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if she was there when they found out she paid for their breakfast.
DeleteI love Sam. My mother always said Kill them with kindness.
ReplyDeleteI love Sam, too.
DeleteI love Sam. I love what she did. I love you for brightening my day!
ReplyDeleteAwww now that is a beautiful way of dealing with negativity. Good for Sam! ;)
ReplyDeleteSam rocks.
DeleteGolden tresses are beautiful, little family is beautiful and Sam is beautiful
ReplyDeleteSam is awesome! I hope the couple appreciated what she did, and apologized for their rude comments!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anything else happened.
DeleteSam's a better person than I am, for sure.
ReplyDeleteShe's certainly better than I am (except maybe politically, but we'll just set aside those political differences).
DeleteThe most perfect way to deal with rude people.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, lovely Inger.
DeleteI like her!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy chatting with her while she cares for my golden tresses. She's so easy to get along with. Look! I ended a sentence with a preposition!
DeleteTerrific story.
ReplyDeleteDanke.
DeleteWhat a wonderful why to deal with obnoxious people. Sam sure showed them.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the best possible way.
ReplyDeleteSam is a much bigger person than I ... and for all the 'right' reasons.
ReplyDeleteI, quite frankly would have quietly left the restaurant ... not to make a point, but because I'm desperately shy when it comes to people staring. It makes me feel positively sick.
Three cheers for Sam!
Oh, I think those old women were horribly rude. There's no excuse for that sort of behavior no matter how old you are.
Perhaps I would have stuck out my tongue on the way out ... hmm .. (old bats!)
If we ever meet, I shall make a point of not staring at you.
DeleteI love how Sam handled this unfortunate situation with class and dignity. Perhaps those small-minded folks learned a lesson about acceptance. As a heavily tattooed person, I have had a few encounters with those who feel it is their moral obligation to share their obvious disgust. For the most part, people are either complimentary about my art or they ignore it. I'm fine with both. Yay for Sam!!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your comments came through and I published both because you write so well.
DeleteI'm trying this again because I am not sure the first one went through. I love Sam and the way she handled that unfortunate situation with class and dignity. Perhaps she taught those small-minded individuals a lesson in kindness. As a heavily tattooed person, I have had my share of people who feel it is their moral obligation to show/share their obvious disgust at the sight of me. For the most part, people are quite accepting but I know all too well, how uncomfortable those stares can make you feel. Bravo, Sam!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie. Your presence on my blog is always an honor.
DeleteI have two tattoos not over the top ones but still two of them, my daughter has heaps of them including having her neck tattoo to look like a necklace she often gets asked why she tattooed her neck, now I know tattoos are not for everyone but you don't have to be rude about them either just because you wouldn't have them all over your body, and someone else does doesn't make that someone a bad person it just makes them different from you and that is ok
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Jo-Anne.
Deletewhat an incredible story. what a wonderful example. i wish i could think that way when bad things happen - what would Jesus do.
ReplyDeleteso glad i stopped by to say thanks for commenting on my cover reveal at michael's!
You're welcome. I love your avatar.
DeleteSam sounds like a terrific and TRULY loving gal. It's all about how we treat the people who can (or will) do nothing for us.
ReplyDeleteSam was already friends with my son when I moved here. I'm so glad he told me about her.
DeleteThank you everyone for your kind words. I felt as though maybe this woman just needed to have as great of a day as I was having.
ReplyDeleteI believe in passing on positive vibes to others. Maybe this woman will not judge anyone as she has judged me (or at least second guess herself). Little did this woman know I am try to help my community by owning a small business. I swear I'm not a convict. Although old people stare at me like I am one sometimes. I tell my Granny all the time (who is not fond of my tattoos AT ALL) that there is a major generation gap here. I'm just helping to unite all of us. :)
Well said, Sam. Thank you for setting such a good example for the rest of us. My golden tresses and I will see you soon.
DeleteMy son (with financial help from his dad) got a freaking ginormous tat across his back about 3 seconds after turning 18. It's some symbol that means absolutely nothing to him...he just thought it looked cool. I hate it. But I still love the stupid kid. And his tat is always covered by his shirt so I don't have to look at it. I don't "get" tats, but I would never stare and be a freak about people who have them. I'm amazed at Sam's response. I don't think I would ever be that cool. With or without a tat.
ReplyDelete-andi
I think you should have smacked Philly's Done Hooters for going along with that. I would never pay for someone's tattoo, not even my own, and I'm not getting one. Does that make sense? I think you're cool, though.
Delete