This morning I took an hour’s train ride from Assisi to Cortona, one of the most beautiful hill towns in Italy. By early afternoon I was off to visit Sanctuary of St. Margherita at the summit of the town. The climb was a physical reminder that a hill town is just that, a town on a hill, and steep one to be sure. The weather was cloudy but I had no need of an umbrella. I entered the church.
When I stepped out of the church forty-five minutes later, low and behold, I needed an umbrella. It was pouring and my only protection was my windbreaker. What to do? I stood there. Two youngish monks came out and got into a car that came by to pick them up. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they offered me a ride down the hill?”But off they went and there I stood. Figuring that I might as well start on down.
But wait, out came an oldish monk. We agreed that the rain wouldn’t let up anytime soon. Then he asked if I had an umbrella. “Wait here, I will get one for you,” and off he went, to return a few minutes later with a sturdy, silver one. No problema that I can’t return it.
I thanked him, and I stepped out. As I headed down the hill (remember steep). I wondered how often he has the opportunity to do a random act of kindness. Happy to oblige. Tomorrow I will leave the umbrella at the hotel for some pilgrim who needs it with the next rainfall.
But wait, out came an oldish monk. We agreed that the rain wouldn’t let up anytime soon. Then he asked if I had an umbrella. “Wait here, I will get one for you,” and off he went, to return a few minutes later with a sturdy, silver one. No problema that I can’t return it.
I thanked him, and I stepped out. As I headed down the hill (remember steep). I wondered how often he has the opportunity to do a random act of kindness. Happy to oblige. Tomorrow I will leave the umbrella at the hotel for some pilgrim who needs it with the next rainfall.