RAVE to all the AARP tax volunteers who do such a great job! They saved me money by itemizing for me when I didn’t think I had enough deductions.

RAVE to our beautiful, strong, intrepid warriors of weather: daffodils! Through sleet and snow and rain and wind, their exuberant blossoms of optimism herald in rays of sunshine and hope for days ahead. We are blessed with their presence during the northwest winter gray skies.

RAVE to the woman in the longest TSA PreCheck line I’ve ever seen at Sea-Tac Airport, who not only let me through the line but flagged down extra help when I was rushing to catch my flight. I’m traveling away from family for the first time after a devastating health episode and your kindness was exactly the assurance I needed. I hope your travel went smoothly, and I’ll be paying it forward! 

RAVE to our mail carrier. Many of us in the city of Shoreline are very fortunate to experience the impressive work ethic of our longtime mail carrier, who delivers our mail carefully and consistently. He is always upbeat, frequently able to chat to share his day’s events and also ask us about our own. He really is the model public service employee: he has often gone out of his way to ensure that our packages have been securely delivered. He is truly an exemplary civil servant. Shoreline is so lucky to have him in our city, and so is the entire postal system.

RAVE to everyone who sends in a rave about a kindness shown. It is reassuring to know there are so many good and kind people out there among us despite all the bad news going on today.

RAVE to the tow-truck driver who helped me. I was coming from Kirkland for an appointment in Mountlake Terrace, and I got lost. When showing the driver the address, he put it in his phone and said, “Follow me.” He drove to the door of the beauty shop, but I had no chance to give him a tip or a wave. I saw no name on his truck, but he certainly relieved the stress I had. A true knight in shining armor.

RAVE to the young family eating near our table in Greenwood. We heard the mother of two young children talking about her first day on a new job after maternity leave. We took our wineglasses to their table and toasted the mother and met the children. Double rave because the parents paid our bill, and we were able to thank them before they left. We will pay their kindness forward.

RAVE to the White Center Salvation Army community center. On Tuesday and Thursday, we play bingo. No money changes hands with the prices of food, cleaning supplies and personal care products. After bingo, we go through the food pantry. Everyone treats each other with kindness. A gentleman who plays Santa Claus comes on Thursdays and wears Santa suspenders and bells on his shoes. We can always hear him coming down the hall. It is a wonderful place for seniors to get together and have fun.