John Swanson didn’t have to be kind and caring, but that’s just how he’s built, and little did he know the impact his kindness would have for a family new to the Shreveport/Bossier area.
Nicole Addison recently penned an inspiring nomination letter about the kindness that John showed her family when they truly needed it most and that letter made John such an easy choice as this week’s recipient of the Kiss Country Caught in the Act Award! Just see for yourself!
My husband, kids, and I had just moved to Louisiana in December 2015 thanks to the USAF. I knew nothing about Mardi Gras and I was grasping at trying to find our new normal when I stumbled upon the Gemini Float Loading event. We arrived with zero expectations. I had never seen anything like what we walked into and we were all excited. The floats were spectacular and the and the fancy sparkly black jackets were incredible. We happened to meet John Swanson in his sparkly black jacket. He was beyond warm and welcoming. He immediately shared in my kids excitement, showed us all the things while making us feel like the most important people there, and, well, the rest is history. 9 years later and my kids beg to go see Mr. John every Mardi Gras Season. We have been blessed to meet his sweet wife, Michelle, and they now look forward to seeing her as well. A chance encounter, 9 years ago, has become a beloved family tradition. They have watched both of my children grow up courtesy of a shared love of Mardi Gras. What John didn’t know 9 years ago was how much this Momma was struggling. This PCS was by far the hardest one for me. A moment of genuine kindness by a complete stranger was just what I needed for a sense of belonging. His kindness remains year after year. He remembers things my children told him the year prior, follows up on how they are doing, and always makes sure they feel so loved. The moral of the story, be like John and just be kind. Kindness is free and you never know when it may just start a tradition among families.
John Swanson, because you’ve been ‘Caught in the Act’ the gang at Magnolia Pit Barbecue have a $50 Gift Certificate for you to come have dinner on them!…