What's the best part about doing your groceries late at night at the North Street grocery store (besides generally avoiding most other humans)? THE SELF-CHECKOUT MASTER. Everyone rants about the self-checkout machines eliminating jobs, but these machines have clearly allowed the guy that often works the night shift overseeing the machines to RISE TO THE PEAK OF HIS ART. Having trouble scanning something? Before you even look up and around, he's at your side MANUALLY ENTERING THE CODE FROM MEMORY. Are you trying to scan one of the 5 items in all of the store that doesn't have a bar code? Don't worry, he's already rung it through for you—once again, with the code memorized. Coupon not working? Discount not being applied? Can't find the code for an obscure type of produce? Lights flashing and the machine beeping? He materializes out of thin air, artfully scans his pass and with a flurry of activity on the keypad, takes care of it and then disappears with a wink back to his podium. WE SALUTE YOU, OH SELF-CHECKOUT MASTER.
—Late-night grocery buyer

Thanks for helping us (me) get my ass in the building. That was not going to happen without you offering to become human stairs and haul my ass up.
And, having a tour guide didn't hurt.
—One who typically keeps two feet on the ground

Friday—the day we got nailed by Mother Nature—you came along Spring Garden Road in your shiny bus and 'rescued' a group of people standing by a bus stop. You suggested we all get in because even you weren't sure when the next bus was coming. We climbed in and you made sure no one was left behind. Also, I noticed that you made sure the transfers you gave were valid until 2:00 pm. Now I don't know if that was you or a general policy during storms but I am sure many were grateful—as I am for your kindness and skill maneuvering those slippery streets! Hope you made it home yourself alright and thank you for being a ray of sunshine on a stormy day!
—Bus rider in the storm

To the 20-something guy with the immaculate moustache and rad green gloves with aliens on them who was riding the overcrowded bus during Friday's snow storm: Although you were visibly soaking wet, cold and shivering, you were the only person willing to give up your seat so an elderly woman didn't have to stand. Your kindness did not go unnoticed. You got a good head on your shoulders, kid.
—PS, you're cute too

Now that we have more than a vague notion of each other, I get the feeling that wherever this goes is going to be good.
—Heart extractor

We somehow made it through youthful on-again-off-agains to find ourselves grown up, both looking for someone to keep growing with. You sometimes hear about couples "losing their spark", but that won't be us. I see it so clearly and know that I will keep choosing to love you every moment of my life, even (especially) when moments are hard. We are my home.
—Always you

I loved a boy on a bike. I still do. How I wish we were talking about each other.
—Marcy's playground

Hello old friend. I know that you probably hate me and I am cool with that. I wish I could tell you this in person, however I can’t. Recent events have put things into perspective for me. My time is slowly running out and I am now trying to correct all the wrongs that younger and more stupid version of me created. The last three years have been hard for me. You have no idea how many times I wanted to reach out to you for comfort—however, I had to wade through a large amount of lies people I thought were friends and mentors told me. It made me choose to resign from my job because of it all just so I could have space to clear my head and think things over. I just wanted to say that I did love you even though you feel like you wasted time on me. I wanted to marry you at one point, Teal eyed Dartmouth girl. Hell, I had visions of growing old with you. Now that is over, I can no longer cling to that. I know that you moved on with your life. I just wanted to get this out of my system fully. I truly miss you more than you could ever imagine but it is time that I moved on in life also. Goodbye, Teal eyed Dartmouth girl. Have a good life.
—Persephone's pet

I never had a chance to properly say thank you to all of the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital: I was tired and scared and you made me feel safe. I was stressed out from needing emergency surgery a few weeks back. You were kind, friendly, patient and warm. You clearly love what you do and you do it exceptionally well. After surgery, I woke up fine, but broken-hearted that I couldn't give a proper thank you. I hope this reaches you all.
—Recovering girl

Shout out to the woman who, while driving on the Bedford highway Wednesday morning around 8:20am, saw me running to my bus stop and asked if I was going downtown and offered me a drive. I so appreciate the offer as it seemed so genuine and kind. I wanted to say yes, but my instinct to not accept drives from a stranger kicked in and I declined. But, I hope you see this post and know I am thankful for your kindness and generosity this morning.
—Damsel on a bus