“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

– His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet

“I’m sorry they’re only raspberries,” said Mom. “I should have baked a cake.”

Whenever we went to visit neighbours, Mom always took something along as a token of appreciation and respect. Often it was a cake she’d baked, sometimes a pie or cookies or, if the visit was spontaneous, she usually brought along a bowl of freshly picked raspberries. Mom was of the mind that you didn’t show up at someone’s house without bringing something.

It was a tradition, yes but also a simple act of kindness. I remember speaking to a friend recently who reminded me of my mother’s tradition. She said she always wondered wh...

Please subscribe to keep reading.