Showing Up

Since June 9th, every Tuesday and Thursday we have shown up for Sidewalk Hospitality - offering a cool treat to passers-by. Snow cones and mint ice tea. A smile comes with it, but that sure is hard to see under the mask. But it’s there! I notice how every time we start I am sure that no-one will come, and every time by the end I am brimming with stories of new people we met, and connection stories. Mentors from years ago and families with a big bunch of kids from around the corner. A man with a renovation business, and the guy who drives the tow truck next door. The UPS man. The family who always comes via scooters. And so many more. I’ve enjoyed the chance to catch up with families who otherwise would be rushing to Swim Team practice. I’ve worked on memorizing the names of people. 

Why? Why is this so important? Do these people really need a little bit of shaved ice with some too-sweet syrup on it? Of course they don’t. But they need a reason to stop and check it out, to find out what we are doing. And when they find out, they are intrigued.