WEST SIDE STORIES: Cara Wasden ties for first at October’s story swap

This true story by Cara Wasden (and the accompanying story by Angie Funtinilla on page C4), were recorded live on Oct. 4 at Sonoma Portworks, as part of West Side Stories, Petaluma’s once-a-month spoken word showcase, created and hosted by Dave Pokorny. At the end of each show, the audience selects a favorite performance/story, and this month there was a tie. The theme of this month’s show was ‘Random Acts of Kindness.’

I still remember one beautiful Spring day when I walked into a Lucky’s grocery store. Standing beside me at the checkout stand was an older gentleman, and his hand was shaking as he searched in his pocket, looking for change. The cashier noticed him and softly said, “Take your time, Cutie. I’m in no hurry.” He looked back toward me with his bright blue eyes beginning to water, and I could sense his sadness. So I smiled at him and I said, “Your blue hat sure does compliment your pretty blue eyes.”

No, I wasn’t hitting on him.

I just knew that kindness was needed in that moment.

Outside the store, he came up to me and said something to me I’ll never forget.

“Young lady, thank you … for the best gift I’ve received in years. I can’t remember the last time someone was as kind to me as you and the cashier just were. And today just happens to be my ninetieth birthday.”

It took only a moment to turn his day around, with just a smile and a few kind words.

Would his birthday have been even better if I had been a gorgeous gray eighty-year-old? Perhaps. But I believe our smiles and kindness were a close second. Someone else’s smile and kindness led me to where I am today.

It was the late 1980s, when I had poofed-up hair-sprayed hair, to match the era. I walked into my junior college disabilities department, seeking assistance. No, not for my hair. It was because I had Tourette’s Syndrome. As a young girl, when I was told I had Tourette’s, it was like being on a game show and winning some really messed up prizes.

“Tell her what she’s won, Bob!”

“Well, Cara, you’ve won the Tourette’s Syndrome Party Package! Including Involuntary Movements, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and a long list of Learning Disabilities!”

No one believed I’d go on to college. So when I walked into that Disabilities Department that day, I wasn’t expecting much. And then I met the head of the department, a man named Dana Goth. He talked with me. He worked with me. He listened to me. And eventually he said four symle words that I so longed to hear.

“I believe in you.”

He was the first person who saw something in me. And thanks to Dana’s kindness, eight years later, I graduated.

Many years later, I had the opportunity to write an article about the impact that he had on my life. I tracked him down, to share it with him. He responded immediately, saying that, at the time, there was some restructuring going on in his department, and he was struggling. He said, “Cara, thank you for reaching out to me. You made my day.”

Making someone’s day. Or changing someone’s life.

Sometimes, it just takes a moment. Sharing a smile, or a few kind words.

Recently, around Petaluma – I don’t know if you’ve been seeing them, but there are signs saying, “Petaluma is Kind,” and “Kindness is contagious.”

How true is that!

And here’s my personal favorite.

If you ever get a chance, if you want your day turned around, head on down to Petaluma’s Dollar Store, and stand in Sid’s line. Because you are guaranteed a smile, maybe even a laugh out loud moment, and some genuine human kindness.

It doesn’t get better than that.