Couple weeks ago, a woman walked into Karma Kitchen without realizing the essence of the concept.  When we explained it to her, she held her cheeks with her palms and said, "I think I'm going to cry."  Every week is full of such stories. 

Last week, Lalita P. and Sheena led the charge with some incredible acts of kindness.   And when I say incredible, it's not incredible in that sense that Larry King needs to drive down to report the story.  Quite the opposite, actually.  Incredible in the sense that it moves people, shows sensitivity and is so very subtle.  Like last week, a couple of protestors, whose friends are living in a campus tree to prevent it from being chopped down, ate and enjoyed every bit of their meal with deep joy.  As they left, we tagged them with extra naan for their friends up in the tree.  To me, that's incredible.

Another guest was asked by their server -- "What was your favorite part of the evening?"  He responded, "All of Karma Kitchen".  (And that includes waiting an hour to get a table!) 

Marianne Hale hangs her artwork, eats lunch with her friends, gets tagged by Zack with gorgeous pillow case that Sheena's mom made; none of them knew each other.   Rish bringing in flowers for the staff and the full house (including folks on the streets) applauding away.  The Chef periodically peeking out and joyously repeating "Very Good" to see so many people enjoying his food.  People from out of town, who are keen to take photos of everything.  A guy named "Bob" sitting for almost 3 hours to simply "enjoy the atmosphere" (typically, we don't recommend this :)).   The Maitre-D, Lalita, seats new friends together on a table and before they can even order their meals, they've already exchanged phone numbers.   Volunteers stepping up to the dishes for the whole night and smile throughout it all.  

That's all incredible.

To top it off, someone anonymously left a poem on the table:

Ode to Karma Kitchen~
Buttery naan…umm
Mango lassi divine
Oh how you fill
This big heart o’mine.

Sweet and spicy,
Saucy delight.
What better place to
Come on a Saturday night?

Karma karma,
Let the goodness flow
Through soothing tones
Of Yel-low.

Kind attention warms
The heart.
This is the way a better world starts.

~ Anonymous KK guest