This was beautiful in many ways and a great interview. Hospice, having experienced it on two occasions, is the most peaceful and special process and the people who make it happen are gems.
To me it is ironic that a wonderful process finally exists for end of life. So many faith traditions tout a certainty to what is next based upon having done certain things in our past. Hospice doesn't purport to know but instead focused on the present which is the only tense we can control. The past and future provide no solace to dwell nor unbridled certainty to imagine.
I believe there is a bright future for the rubber plant. There are sourdough yeast starters that are decades old, no reason a plant can't recover.
Oct 17, 2022·edited Oct 17, 2022Liked by Anne Kadet
Diane's right about the grocery store being a fun job. I've worked as an organic chemist, marketer, financial analyst, and journalist. Stocking shelves and helping customers find stuff at Kroger is still the most fun I've ever had at work.
1. Anne, Diane should have been the caretaker for the rubber plant! Diane's story goes to a theory that I espouse that your life-trajectory is "MOSTLY" determined when you take your first breath; Diane was born into a wealthy family and that opens the world to possibilities. It's like hitting the life-lottery. For sure she has given back to the common-good, for her good fortune at birth. Being able to work retail and enjoy that experience is remarkable. Living in the Behr Mansion is the Universe repaying Diane's kindness; what a great place to live! https://ny.curbed.com/2016/5/4/11591834/brooklyn-heights-behr-mansion-nyc-history
2. "Ms. McDonald rung me up. 'WOW!” she said. “Your hair is FANTASTIC! You look STUNNING!'" What a great example to the world on how to be uplifting to others. That should be the 11th Commandment!
3. My heart broke seeing that artisanal bread on the pavement. I'd have ate it, right there!
4. "Which is a little like being famous in Irkutsk, but I’m thrilled." Great line. Made me guffaw!
5. OMG! I HATE eating Cheetos with my fingers! Chopsticks from here on out for me! I can't even reach inside a potato chip bag for fear the hair on my arm will touch the greasy side of the bag!! And no, I'm not hairy like a gorilla!! More like a bear, maybe!!
6. I buy used books purely in the hope of finding a photo, a card of some type or a person's name who owned the book. What a great story about the photo inviting a grown man to retrieve it from halfway across the world! A dream come true for me!
So interesting! Diane is a living oxymoron - someone who works so closely and intimately with death, is extremely and passionately alive! She is a great inspiration for me today, to love unconditionally because of the grace shown to me.
Diane is a joy to work with every day. I'm about to join the U.S. Marines and her dad was one back in the day, so I've gotten some trickle down advice from Diane about daily life in the CORPS. For the past two years I've worked here it's been a little draining being one of the casheres that try to be actively friendly and nice to the customers on a daily basis, so having her around and seeing whenever her and I get to share a shift puts some joy in me. She makes the days go by a lot faster and she's just a great work buddy to have around while working for the legal tender. I'll be sad to day goodbye to her when I deploy, but I hope in doing so I'll make her proud.
There is a grocery store in Missoula, Montana, Orange Street Food Farm, that has the same kind of people working their check out. The warmth I could not find elsewhere, enveloped me at Orange Street. People making a difference!
Oct 18, 2022·edited Oct 18, 2022Liked by Anne Kadet
I just came from your interview with Substack, Anne. I'm really grateful to have read it and then got to know a little bit about your work. I'm a journalist here in Brazil. This report with Diane is the kind of report I love to do. I love telling stories about "invisible people". Unfortunately, there are too much eyes that are not able to see how amazing some people are. Fortunately you have this "power" with you. Congratulations on your work! My English is sort of rusty after some years not practicing frequently, but I hope you understand my message. I'll keep following this beautiful work on Café Anne. <3
This story was exactly what I needed. I was down and mopey yesterday and this was literary Prozac! Diane is my newest role model. Thank you for writing about her.
Also - went ahead with an annual subscription to keep the joy coming!
Meet NYC's Happiest Supermarket Cashier!
Loved reading this! Just the uplift and inspiration I needed today. Thanks!
Anne and Diane are amazing! Check out Diem Eatery in Brooklyn Heights, they have incredible banh mis, gelato, and a hidden door.
This was beautiful in many ways and a great interview. Hospice, having experienced it on two occasions, is the most peaceful and special process and the people who make it happen are gems.
To me it is ironic that a wonderful process finally exists for end of life. So many faith traditions tout a certainty to what is next based upon having done certain things in our past. Hospice doesn't purport to know but instead focused on the present which is the only tense we can control. The past and future provide no solace to dwell nor unbridled certainty to imagine.
I believe there is a bright future for the rubber plant. There are sourdough yeast starters that are decades old, no reason a plant can't recover.
This was a joy to read. Diane seems so inspiring!
dang i think this was my fav cafe anne yet! Diane is a treasure and I feel changed for the better after reading her wise words
You certainly have real talent for finding these amazing people.
Diane's right about the grocery store being a fun job. I've worked as an organic chemist, marketer, financial analyst, and journalist. Stocking shelves and helping customers find stuff at Kroger is still the most fun I've ever had at work.
Thank God for the Dianes of the world! We need more like her... and I hope to bring the same encouragement and joy to others.
What a special story. Diane's mindset is so inspirational. What courage and strength and character. She's a lesson for us all.
1. Anne, Diane should have been the caretaker for the rubber plant! Diane's story goes to a theory that I espouse that your life-trajectory is "MOSTLY" determined when you take your first breath; Diane was born into a wealthy family and that opens the world to possibilities. It's like hitting the life-lottery. For sure she has given back to the common-good, for her good fortune at birth. Being able to work retail and enjoy that experience is remarkable. Living in the Behr Mansion is the Universe repaying Diane's kindness; what a great place to live! https://ny.curbed.com/2016/5/4/11591834/brooklyn-heights-behr-mansion-nyc-history
2. "Ms. McDonald rung me up. 'WOW!” she said. “Your hair is FANTASTIC! You look STUNNING!'" What a great example to the world on how to be uplifting to others. That should be the 11th Commandment!
3. My heart broke seeing that artisanal bread on the pavement. I'd have ate it, right there!
4. "Which is a little like being famous in Irkutsk, but I’m thrilled." Great line. Made me guffaw!
5. OMG! I HATE eating Cheetos with my fingers! Chopsticks from here on out for me! I can't even reach inside a potato chip bag for fear the hair on my arm will touch the greasy side of the bag!! And no, I'm not hairy like a gorilla!! More like a bear, maybe!!
6. I buy used books purely in the hope of finding a photo, a card of some type or a person's name who owned the book. What a great story about the photo inviting a grown man to retrieve it from halfway across the world! A dream come true for me!
Wow! Thanks for writing, Anne.
So interesting! Diane is a living oxymoron - someone who works so closely and intimately with death, is extremely and passionately alive! She is a great inspiration for me today, to love unconditionally because of the grace shown to me.
Thanks again!
Diane is a joy to work with every day. I'm about to join the U.S. Marines and her dad was one back in the day, so I've gotten some trickle down advice from Diane about daily life in the CORPS. For the past two years I've worked here it's been a little draining being one of the casheres that try to be actively friendly and nice to the customers on a daily basis, so having her around and seeing whenever her and I get to share a shift puts some joy in me. She makes the days go by a lot faster and she's just a great work buddy to have around while working for the legal tender. I'll be sad to day goodbye to her when I deploy, but I hope in doing so I'll make her proud.
There is a grocery store in Missoula, Montana, Orange Street Food Farm, that has the same kind of people working their check out. The warmth I could not find elsewhere, enveloped me at Orange Street. People making a difference!
I just came from your interview with Substack, Anne. I'm really grateful to have read it and then got to know a little bit about your work. I'm a journalist here in Brazil. This report with Diane is the kind of report I love to do. I love telling stories about "invisible people". Unfortunately, there are too much eyes that are not able to see how amazing some people are. Fortunately you have this "power" with you. Congratulations on your work! My English is sort of rusty after some years not practicing frequently, but I hope you understand my message. I'll keep following this beautiful work on Café Anne. <3
This story was exactly what I needed. I was down and mopey yesterday and this was literary Prozac! Diane is my newest role model. Thank you for writing about her.
Also - went ahead with an annual subscription to keep the joy coming!
Thank you for finding out about the photos. I'm so happy that my question ellicited such a lovely little story!