I was fortunate enough to grow up in an era where I could be a Dead Head and follow the Grateful Dead from show to show following a tour. All in all I got to see 23 shows live. And listen to another 7 from the parking lot. The parking lot scene was part of going to a Dead show, seeing the same faces show to show. Lots of friendships and relationships came from the whole family mindset of the trave
ling caravan scene. One of of those stand out moments, though. One of those moments that changes your life forever came when I first saw a girl with a sign that read "WATER: $1.00 OR KIND". I had to ask what she meant by "KIND". "If you can afford a dollar that's what they are. But if you don't and you're thirsty, take one and... smile an extra twenty times today. Or give me a big hug. Or maybe - got a trade?"
At this point of my life it was a staggering thought to find a bridge between my hippy idealism and the reality of capitalism. But here it was, in the concept of KIND. KIND can be anything, an arraigned barter, an idea, sometimes a simple hug and smile for a simple fix. It's a concept that works when believed in. It means, if I can help I will.
