I’m not one to get myself caught up in the world’s current affairs, but I just have to say that the people in Wisconsin are the kindest people I’ve met.
When I flew there several weeks ago, I was so consumed by getting things done before I left that I overlooked one little detail: how I was going to get from the airport to the hotel. It never occurred to me that I hadn’t made arrangements until we landed and my seat neighbor asked me how I was getting to the hotel. “Ughhhhh I said… I dunno! I never booked my shuttle. I guess I’ll just take a cab.” “Don’t be silly! I’ll give you a ride,” she said (I don’t even remember her name.. that kind lady… I think it was Karen?).
We chatted the whole entire flight from Chicago to Appleton. We talked about our kids, life when we were kids, yoga, and I couldn’t believe this one: we talked about Laotian people. Turns out she knows a bunch of my kind. So naturally, when she said she was going to give me a ride, I accepted. Never thought about it. She was like an old friend.
Photo and check out this page on how to escape from a trunk if you're ever in one: http://www.closecombattraining.com/blog/self-defense/trapped-escaping-from-the-trunk-of-a-car
Her husband pulls the car up, pops the trunk, and I got a bit nervous. “What the heck am I doing?!” I’m gonna get into a car of a woman I just met an hour ago in Appleton, WI. There was a black trash bag in the trunk and a horror movie flashed thru my mind… A kidnapped person tied up in a black trash bag in the trunk of a Cadillac. So I laughed and blurted out, “Was that the last person you offered a ride from the airport to their hotel?” It was the funniest thing in a twisted kinda’ way.
Obviously I was not a victim of a horror movie. She and her hubby were so kind… as we drove, they gave me a bit of history about the town and what was where and the places to eat, etc.
On the return back, my experience at the airport was first class! Never have I met such kind and generous airport security. They actually can smile. I told one of the security people that I really appreciated his smile and kindness and told him my story about a local giving me a ride to my hotel. He smiled and said, “I’ve done that before.”
The world really isn’t a big shit hole. There is love and kindness out there. And I’m being a part of that this week and paying it forward. Watch out.. if you’re in my way, you might get steam rolled with love and kindness.
Side note: I’m so glad my mom is so old-school and doesn’t have internet to read my blogs… she would’ve killed me! 
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this post! It really struck a chord with me. I JUST came across your blog and am fully addicted now. So lucky to count myself as one of your students.
i’m always so surprised when people are kind like that. probably comes from spending most of my life in LA.
not that my city isn’t wonderful, because it IS! but i love hearing stories like this. makes me feel hopeful. i met the kindest woman on a flight to Hong Kong. it was my first time there, i flew alone, and she completely took me under her wing. we were inseparable up until our luggage came. she’s still in my thoughts and i send her love (with my head and heart!) regularly. 
I love this!! I send the woman whom I’ve forgotten her name but could recognize her in a crowd lady my love silently too.
You are sharing so much love lately it has been a joy to read your posts. All I can say is your students are really lucky to have you teaching them… I can only imagine how awesome your classes have been. Great story, great message and as a mom I agree.. better keep this one to yourself.
… and I am the lucky one who gets to teach them.
Glad to hear such kind words about my home state!
what a great story and what a great px and caption link – very handy hope-i-don’t-need info!
and, i know the so-glad-parent-doesn’t-have internet feeling too
Wisconsin people ARE the nicest! I grew up in Wisconsin, but I never realized how sweet and unassuming Midwesterners are (excepting myself, most likely) until I moved to Texas. Not that Texans aren’t nice, they’re just a whole ‘nother kind of nice… what I like to call “in-your-face friendly.”
I’ve also noticed that the airport security staff in the Madison airport are BY FAR the friendliest in the nation.
lived in wisco for five years. i agree. but i would say the same about iowans, dakotans, etc. midwest drinks some special sauce.
also— lao and hmong people make up a surprising number of wisconsins. makes for some tasty tasty treats and some outstanding gardens/flower farms.
I must say Hmong people are the most fruitful farmers and I’m just a Laotian that likes to eat