Ah, the Farmers Market! I could skip step when I walk through the row of colourful stands! Maybe even do a twirl if I happen to wear a chiffon polka-dot dress as I did today. I want to see and buy everything! The chives with dirt still clinging to their roots, the ripe tomatoes with stems still attached, the fresh apricots, fragrant strawberries, peas, cucumbers, garlic, kale, peppers in vivid hues of yellow, orange and red, mushrooms….wildflower honey, preserves in old fashioned mason jars, on and on, a thrilling bounty for a country gal like me!

Today I have to pause and make note of the mushrooms. Or better said the mushroom whisperer who was in charge of selling them. Because the purchase was…an experience!

I passed the stand of a morose lady looking very much like the female version of the old man character from the animated movie “Up”. She was selling some unidentified green swirls or rather watching over them with an ‘approach-at-your-own-risk’ death stare. I think, when looking at her, I might have slowed down my skip just a bit, self-conscious of my elated grin and unadulterated happiness.

And then, there it was, the beckoning mushroom stand. Manned by a farmer with sun-kissed hair and a glowing tan who answered my “Hi, how are you?” with a beaming “I’m awesome!!!”

I was sold!

Enthusiasm, genuine happiness, passion for one’s craft, or passion for being alive, is contagious. It transfers like a gift from one heart to another and it fills us with light. It’s like a tap on the shoulder ‘Tag! You’re it!’, a passing of the torch so you can go on with your day and be merry! Share your joy with others.

I walked away with a paper bag full of crunchy brown mushrooms and a big smile on my face.

I bet the mushrooms will taste divine! Just got a feeling!