The Reward for Kindness

I like to bake cookies. While I like to eat them, too, I do not want 5 or 6 dozen cookies hanging around the house. Instead, I keep about 2 dozen and give the rest away. The frequent recipients of my kindness are the people at the fire station. I have been doing this for years.

Click to View Show Anyway

On the package, I always place my address label. I do this in case there are any issues. What I tell them is that the label is there so they will save me first in a fire. At this point in time, all the firefighters - and the sheriff deputies that hang out at the station - recognize my label and know it guarantees deliciousness. I am profusely thanked when I deliver treats but an old fashioned part of me has always hoped for a thank you card in the mail.

Last weekend, lightning struck around 1 am and started a fire. NOT in my building but one very nearby; one my daughter just moved out of. The firetruck arrived within 6 minutes. While there was structural damage, there were no injuries. Tuesday, I took cookies to the fire station. I never know who will answer the door when I deliver. It is seldom the same person.

That day it was the assistant fire chief!

Instead of handing the cookies over at the door, he invited me in. I told him about my save-me-first joke and how close the weekend fire was. He told me not to worry, the apartment for the Cookie Lady was flagged in their computer system. He then gave me a tour of the station. I got to slide down the fire slide (they don't use a pole). Before I left, the chief asked me for a 4 digit number. I have been given access to the station house, even if the crew is out on an emergency.

The honor of being trusted with that is a much better reward than a thank you card!