Acts of kindness surround us daily

On Nov. 23, I was at a local Albertsons, in line waiting to pay for fruit, vegetables and brown sugar. The man in front of me was making a small purchase.

As the cashier rung up his few items, he startled and told her the pricing was incorrect. He had enough money to buy the items at the price he thought they cost but not at the price indicated by the cash register. He was obviously upset. The assistant manager was bagging groceries at this register.

She immediately told the cashier to change the price to the amount the man thought it should be and sold him the items. The assistant manager acted reflexively in kindness and compassion. As I thanked her, she said the difference in price would not break the bank and she never wanted anyone to leave the store hungry. What a wonderful gift to have witnessed this act of kindness on the day before Thanksgiving.

Janet Arrowsmith Santa Fe Goodbye, old friend

It was my privilege to have known Craig Smith since 1983. It is with great sadness that I read of his passing in The New Mexican (“Writer, musician remembered for wit, kindness,” Nov. 22). I moved to Santa Fe in 1983, and like Craig, I was and am a singer. The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, where Craig sang and worked, was the first involvement I had in Santa Fe’s nonprofit community. I joined the board and then served as the third president of the organization.

During that time, I got to know Craig as a passionate lover of good music, well-performed, a deeply caring individual, and one who was totally committed to the success of the Desert Chorale. Craig organized the music at may wedding to Pat at the St. Francis Cathedral in 1985, playing the organ from the loft with great enthusiasm. He enlisted some singers from the chorale to sing, so the music was wonderful. Seeing Craig always made me think of beautiful times in my life. I will miss him, and the Santa Fe music scene will miss him, too. He always made us want to be at our best and do our best. A good friend and skilled critic can bring that out in everyone.

Peter Ives Paying consequences

Santa Fe

I read to my despair and amazement that New Mexico pays ex-legislators and state employees who are convicted felons a New Mexico state retirement. Given the state of New Mexico finances, it would seem that these funds would be better spent on education of the youth and future of New Mexico. These people were elected to represent the citizens of New Mexico, improve people’s lives and living conditions — not enrich themselves. I want them to think of all of the people in the state who are having to work, pay taxes and do without in order to pay these people for their crimes.

David G. Zlotnick, CPA

Santa Fe