We are having a stretch of record-breaking heat in the Pacific NW. Well over 100 in Portland yesterday - highly unusual.

I saw my mail carrier through my window. I opened the door and asked if he needed a water refill. He thanked me and said he was fine, but might take me up on it another time. It was almost the end of his day. He said all day long people had been so nice, giving him cold things to put in his cooler. (They drive a truck that they park while they deliver to sections of their area.)

I could see from the expression on his face how much this kindness and caring meant to him; he was clearly very hot, yet there was an open-hearted quality in his countenance that nearly moved me to tears.

Simple kindness. So simple, and yet so profound.