Have you ever been in awe after experiencing something that was simple and easy, yet at times didn't seem real? I was on the receiving end of a random act of kindness and, to this day, I still analyze the impact it had on me.
In 1995, I was scheduled for a day of testing at a nearby hospital to determine if I was a candidate for surgery. My day began at 7 a.m. with appointments staggered around the clock. The final test was at 2 p.m., with a 4 p.m. consultation to discuss the results.
Having a bit of time in between the last two appointments, I sat on a bench outside and became lost in my thoughts. I replayed the tests and wondered about the decisions I was about to face.
Not paying attention to the actions taking place around me, I didn’t notice the stranger who approached and stood before me. When I acknowledged him, he handed me a flower and said, "A face like yours should not look so sad." Then he walked away and never looked back.
I'm sure my expression changed when I took the flower because I was absolutely stunned! I'd like to think I smiled, but I can't say for sure because it all happened so fast. I sat there looking at this flower that was picked from the hospital flowerbed about ten feet from my bench. I was amazed how a simple act could instantly erase the thoughts and fears that consumed my mind, leaving me with a feeling of pure gratitude.
It may sound silly, but his kindness got me through the rest of the day. I cannot describe the man or tell you what kind of flower it was, but I do remember how it made me feel. The simplicity, the timing and the result continue to put a smile on my face 14 years later!
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a random act of kindness? What was the act and how did it make you feel? What random acts have you done to make others feel good? When you walk past someone (on the street, in a hallway, while shopping, etc.), are you the first to say “Hi” or do you respond after being greeted?
Thanks for that great story! To have two random acts that close together is awesome!! Please keep us posted on how you pay it forward and share some of the ideas. We can always use suggestions.
My best to you and your family! I look forward to hearing more.
I told all my friends and family. They were as amazed as we were. Then I am sorry to admit we never really thought about it again and unfortunately I didn't do anything to pay it forward. Then today once again I was sitting at Eat-n-Park having breakfast with my son and daughter. A women approached us and struck a conversation with us. Her teenage daughter joined the conversation and we chatted for a few more minutes. They left and me and the kids continued to eat. The next thing I know the cashier comes over to our table and asked us if we know the lady that we were just talking to. I told her we did not. The cashier then tells me that the lady picked up our check for us as "an act of kindness". I ask if the lady was still in the restuarante so I could thank her but she asked her not to tell us until she was gone.
Like I said before this had never happened to me before, now it has happened twice in 3 months. I am so glad my children witnessed these acts of kindness. We are not thinking of ways to pay it forward. They are coming up with some great ideas. I promise this time I will pay these strangers acts of kindness forward! I hope this story may inspire others to do the same:-)
Winter in Wisconsin is no picnic. We were hit with a severe snowstorm and I was hit with a severe flare at the same time. Like many of us, I fear falling more than anything and navigting through mountains of snow and slush is something I try to avoid at all costs. However, I needed my prescription and even as I pulled into the disabled parking spot of my local Walgreens, I knew I would have a problem. The parking lot is small and had not yet been plowed and once I got out of the car, I realized I could not safely make my way over the snowbanks that had accumulated along the curbs. So back into the car I climbed only to find that I was stuck. Drive. Reverse. Repeat. Nothing. I sat in my car watching people go in and out while snow and slush splattered from under my tires. Yet I couldn't gain traction.
Now what? I couldn't get out of the car to ask for help and I couldn't get the car moving and I sure as hell couldn't push my own car out of the trench.
Finally, two young girls, college girls, walked out of the doors. They were dressed as cute, college girls do--cute, crocheted hats, short skirts and mittens. One wore hot pink gollashes. I will never forget her gollashes or how these two, very small girls, saw me struggling and climbed over the snowbanks to push my car out of its trap while full grown men looked as they walked by. It took us a while but the car finally moved and all I could do was say Thank you over and over. I said Thank You to the air, all the way home and I also said to the universe, "Thank you. People are good."
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