I lost my dad years back, after a prolonged illness that took its toll on all of us. I needed fresh flowers to place on his coffin and decorate the church so I reached out to a church member who was in the business.
She came over to my office, willing to help. She consoled me as I was still broken and we began talking.
Alfred Amodu, with the megawatt smile, charming and soft-spoken, who carried me on his knees when I was five and helped me with all my homework was lying in a morgue and I was discussing fresh flowers with a florist.
It was all I could do to hold back the tears.
She claimed to be sorry for my loss but tripled her flower bills. I was devastated by the fact that she was taking advantage of my loss to make a quick buck. I was deeply hurt and let her out of my office without concluding the business. “I will call you,” I said, but never did.
It beats my imagination each time how little opportunities to show kindness are thrown out of the window due to greed, meanness and complete disinterest in humanity.
Two years later when I began recovering from my period of sadness, I was visited, you would never guess, the flower lady. She needed my help with her Master’s programme in Mass Communication. She wanted me to fill a questionnaire and lend her my experience in a discussion. One of my pet peeves in life is people who pretend they do not understand how much they had hurt you in the past.
I was older now and less emotional, so I looked her straight in the eye and reminded her of her act of unkindness at a time I needed kindness the most. I also made her realise that I knew how much the flowers cost as I had bought them elsewhere and I understood that she was taking advantage of my loss.
She looked momentarily embarrassed and as you already guessed, pressed on with what had brought her to see me. Another act of selfishness.
Unkind people need the grace of God to change and they live everywhere among us. Sometimes, it may be a person you consider a friend, a relative and in some instances a child of yours. The pain of unkindness can last for a long time if you do not choose to be kind in spite of all the unkind persons around you.
Another tale will show you how unkind people are often faced with the “law of karma” and God’s eternal humour catches up with them.
Another florist tale should lock it up for you.
I was preparing for my first ever book presentation with my first published book, “In the Blink of an Eye” and I was super excited. I had the books delivered from my publishers in Ibadan and all was set but I had no idea how expensive a book presentation was going to be.
I had the venue, the drinks, small chops and partnered with a number of people to deliver a great event. I got vendors to give percentages off to be featured in the brochure and I was grateful for the responses. I was preparing to create a great ambiance for attendees so I reached out to a florist in Lagos whose work had been appearing in many lifestyle magazines.
You know what goes around comes around and permit me to let you know that kindness is a currency, and you can spend it in the most unlikely of places
Abuja didn’t have so many florists at this time and I was hoping this florist in Lagos will be happy to partner with us and an opportunity to break into the Abuja market. I had seen her at a wedding in Abuja although I had not spoken to her. I was even prepared to fly her staff into Abuja and advertise her works at a discount.
When I called her, you could feel the iciness in her voice. She was dismissive and self-entitled reminding me what a superstar florist she was and could not waste her time on small clients like me.
Two years down the road., she had opened a small outlet in Abuja. Occasionally when I had a need for flowers, I will pick some up at her shop. I was paying cash so she had no idea I was even shopping at her outlet. I tried not to allow her unkindness get in the way of my happiness.
However, God was not done with the little matter of my book presentation it would seem. Oh, by the way, an event planner took the event over at no cost and her kindness has remained ingrained in my memory forever. I recommended her to potential clients whenever it’s within my powers.
Back to the florist who was too big for me. I was sitting in front of my church one cool evening two years after a massively successful book presentation when a former student of mine walked by. Ah! Aunty, she said, “you are just the person I am looking for. I am told you are very influential in this parish.” “Not really,” I responded while I laughed, “I just try to be a good parishioner.” Do you know the parish priest? Oh yes, I said. I know him quite well. I am sure you can help me she said.
I was wondering if it was a marriage issue or even a faith-based matter. Then she let it out, “You see I am helping my aunt who is a florist.” I had goose bumps. “Not possible Lord,” I whispered under my breath. So, she said as her voice trailed off, “I know the church needs flowers every week and she just opened an outlet in Abuja.” The same big florist who did not need my miserly clientele. God is oftentimes like this. A great sense of humour when he steps into your matter.
You know what goes around comes around and permit me to let you know that kindness is a currency, and you can spend it in the most unlikely of places. Every time you show an act of kindness, you are storing up a reward you never counted on and it comes up when you really need it.
You must never go out to be kind because you are seeking a reward. When it comes right back, you will not remember it as a result of that kindness. So be deliberate about being kind, it is truly a currency for tomorrow. And I really love a corporate organisation in the money sector that just made kindness a mantra. God bless you for showing the way.
EUGENIA ABU
