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SO I know I haven’t put anything in out in a good bit
But I’m back
And today I’d like to share a Real story with a little bit of fiction sprinkled in.
About a simple but lasting connection made in the beautiful hills of the Annapurna Circuit

There was an elderly lady who lived alone deep within the vast greeneries of the Himalayan region of Upper Manang Nepal. This lady couldn’t have been more than 5’2” with distinct wrinkles that mapped her life story and a slight hunch in the back, possibly from years of lugging things on her head strap up and down the vast hilly region she called home.

The lady operated a small teashop which was painted sky blue and had three tables outside its doors for guest to sit at.
There was a water buffalo just to the side of the building and behind him laid fields which the lady worked for her crops.
The front of the shop was plastered with a poster of the icon Bob Marley. A symbol of the peace and love she portrayed in her everyday life. This shop was very small, but yet was more than enough to house her and seat her guests.

A simple life. Yet very rewarding if each person she came across could leave with the energy to complete their day’s hike. And in actuality, she found this shop easy enough to operated by herself.
Located Quite far, approximately 4 hours, from the nearest town, her shop was an ideal break spot for adventurous hikers who chose to go to add an extra 4 hours to their day by going up and around the foothills of the Himalayas instead of taking a straight path which got you to the next town that much sooner.

This lady had the warmest smile. And Each day this she woke, she never forget to dress herself with it. A smile which she wove into her every moment. And even when other emotions appeared. Somehow the smile seemed to glisten. Whether through tears, anger, or heartbreak, and No matter how hard a day would become this smile was never fading. Some might even say it was tattooed on.

But despite such a heartwarming smile. She was often greeted by the nastiest of travelers. With no intention to share a positive connection with her. Many of whom would end up taking advantage of the restricted movements of her old age.

These people would stop by her tea shop to order a meal. They’d eat and hold conversations. Take off their boots to air their feet or read a book. Refill their water from a tap on the side of her shop or Maybe even stop just to sit around for a bit it a breather while enjoying tea, biscuits and sweets. Or delicacies like yak cheese or a bottle of coke.

The travelers would act as though they were completely satisfied as they proceeded to finish their meals. And right before leaving would ask for “one more tea” before they would pack up to continue along their day’s hike.
As the lady would move back to her kitchen to  prepare this last kettle of tea, the guest would pack up with the swiftest and quietest of movements to leave without paying.
A motion many of travelers had treated the lady with. As if the message was written along the path or shared in their DNA that this was the shopkeeper to steal from or To take advantage of.

And though this had happened time and time again, the lady would continually open her kitchen to every exhausted traveler that would come cross her path.
People who, while Hiking through the most majestic of places in the world, seemed Too stuck in their ways to realise the damage they were causing this lovely elderly lady.
Leaving a piece of themselves which began to weigh deep not only the lady’s shoulders. But also her pockets.
And as the years progress she considered making each peak hiking season the last her shop would be open.
In hopes To live out the rest of her days stress free. Tending to her fields ands taking care of her buffalo.

But determined to at least impart full bellies and warm smiles for the rest of this season she’d continue to wear her smile. Day after Day. Moment after moment. Nasty encounter after nasty encounter.

Then, one day the universe finally decided to bless her with an opportunity to meet a kindred soul.
A young man and his two hiking companions, one an old friend and the other who became a friend during this hiking period, lugged exhaustedly over the final hill heading to her shop.
Going about their day at their own pace in no rush and happy to be sharing these moments with each other.

The lady prepared to greet these three with her soul filling smile and stomach pleasing dal bhat.
During their time at the shop these boys sat and ate, conversed and relaxed. Then another group of travelers came to eat up the hill the eat a snack at the shop.

Without the need to rush, the boys took their time and ended up stayed longer than the group who who came after, who were probably anxious to make it to the next Town. More than likely missing out in the beauty of the every moment surrounding them. The snow capped mountains, and the fresh air. The local kids with infectious energy or the warm sun kissing your cheeks.

This second group, was about to perform the same act many other groups before had committed. And as the lady stepped into her kitchen, they got up to leave without paying the lady.
Finally at her limits the lady broke down. And maybe a testament to the boys’ kind souls she decided to share what had just happened, what had been happening for years, with them as they sat finishing their tea.

The lady shared and shared and eventually through tear filled eyes offered to make the boys one last kettle of tea before sending them on their way. One boy, moved by her story decided to leave her with a small parting gift, because it was embedded in his cells to act in this manner.
So before leaving the boys went to pay for their meals, but the one boy whose soul had seemingly intertwined with the lady’s decided to leave double the price for his meal. A gesture made in hopes that a little extra could help the lady in any way.

Not realising his intentions, the lady rushed out with change to give the boy. And struggling through a language barrier the boy tried to explain that there was no need for change. That the lady could keep the it because it’s the least he could do.

Finally coming to understand the boys intentions. The lady’s soul brimmed with a new light and she once again began to cry. This gesture was new to her, a kindness that hadn’t been returned to her in years.

Truly akin to the boy the lady rushed into her shop and returned with three chocolates, one for each boy. And though they were reluctant to take them, the lady was very persistent that this wasn’t a debate.

The boys eventually accepting the gift, and moved to part ways with the shop and the truly beautiful soul that operated it.

They had left behind an eternal warmth. And as the lady laid her head that night she felt the burdens of her life fade into the mountains around her, realizing that finally, she had been given back the smile she had shared for years. That she’d finally met someone who could impart her with a blessed exchanged.

The gift of A smile that would become timeless.
And as she moved through her days she eventually came to the fateful day that she’d close her shop for the final time, and live her days out in a way that could give her happiness. Blessed and thankful for the years she could grace all travelers that came cross her shop. No matter the response.

She constantly reflected on the boys and would cherish forever the connection the decided to make with her on that fateful Himalayan morning. Hopeful that the torch that burned within her soul, would now be carried on. A slight hope in humanity restored.

~
As i go through life I’ve began to realise that I just hope i can positively impact, even if in the smallest ways, every life I come into contact with. My legacy .
So as you go about your days, don’t forget to share the simple things and make beautiful connections with people.

Some shareable moments:
⁃ a smile
⁃ a joke
⁃ A story
⁃ Music and dance
⁃ Laughter
⁃ FOOD 🙂