DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column every day and have especially enjoyed the letters from people who have had someone be very kind and generous to them. It really is very heartwarming in today’s world.

Just before Christmas, I was in the Hannaford store in Farmington. Being a disabled senior I was in a riding cart. Due to COVID-19, I try to stock up on more food than I usually get so that I don’t have to go as often, so my cart was piled high.

When I got in line at the checkout, the lady ahead of me started up a nice conversation as we waited. She was an older lady, very friendly but no one that I knew. She wore a mask so I don’t think that I would ever recognize her again.

After I checked all my groceries through, the cashier said that I didn’t owe anything as the lady ahead of me had paid for my groceries. I was shocked! No one had ever done that for me before.

My order came to quite a lot so if she should read this I would like to thank her so much for her kindness and generosity. She was truly my “Christmas Angel.”

Just the week before I had sent small checks off to some of the children’s charities for Christmas. My husband and I try to help them as we are alone at the holidays. They say what goes around comes around and I guess that’s true.

My husband was as pleased and surprised as I was. I hope people will enjoy reading my story and maybe it will inspire others to be kind during this difficult time and to be as caring as the nice lady was who I met that day in Hannaford. Again, thank you so much! Thanks to you, too, Sun Spots, for your wonderful column. — Diane, no town

ANSWER: When I open my inbox, I never quite know what I’m going to read, I just know that I enjoy helping others and connect my readers with answers. These shared stories of kindness are my favorites and I love sharing them with everyone in Sun Spots Land.

Stories such as this show that kindness and love for others is alive and well, and hopefully they inspire others to look for a path, no matter how small, that will offer light to our fellow human beings and connect us. To quote Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

Thank you, Diane, for taking the time to write.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you find out the address for America Hurrah of New York? —Heidi, Dryden

ANSWER: Operating initially out of a basement storefront on the East Side of Manhattan, this pioneering antiques shop specialized in American quilts, hooked rugs, folk art and American indigenous art.

After 30 years of being involved in this thriving business, collector/artists Joel and Kate Kopp closed America Hurrah Antiques in 2000 and retired at their lakeside camp turned country house in upstate New York. Joel’s time is now totally taken up with creating iron sculpture while wife, Kate, is a painter.

If you wish to sell antiques or have them appraised, you may want to contact Daniel Buck Auctions in Lisbon Falls at 407-1444.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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