We were looking for the post office in Laurel, Mississippi. Full of construction, google was getting confused, and so were we. At a stop light, we beeped the horn gently to get the attention of the woman next to us. We asked if she knew where the post office was. She started pointing, and you could see the calculations working in her brain, trying to maneuver through the construction… “Oh, just follow me,” she said. “I’m not in a hurry. I’ll show you.” And she did.

Google has taken us around the world. Gotten us out the deepest woods, literally, and onto the right road. More than useful. And we are grateful. But there is something about the kindness of strangers. No electronic device can compete with it. Google is efficient, but it doesn’t make me want to be a better person. This woman did that. Dominique and I talked about it, and we both felt it — inspired by this simple kindness.

We were impressed by Laurel. The storefronts. The stores. The local food. The coffee shop. The energy in the air. It was alive. We didn’t see the stars of the HGTV show, but I think we saw the true stars of the town. The people behind the counter at Pearl’s Diner — proud of the food, the line out the door. The young lady who made the coffee at Lee’s Coffee and Tea — so full of smiles – we wanted whatever she was drinking – whatever she was making. The Cincinnati man, visiting just after retirement, eager to see everything in town, eager to learn about where we live in France.

People. I guess it always comes to that. When they show you who they are, as Maya Angelou says, “believe them.” And we do. This is what I want to share with you — the best of us — “Follow me, I’m not in a hurry. I’ll show you.’