THERE ARE NO TRAFFIC JAMS
ALONG THE EXTRA MILE.
(Roger Staubach)
The other day, my husband ran into Barnes and Noble to pick up a book while I waited in the car. (If I went in, we'd be there until closing.) He was gone longer than usual, so when he returned to the car, I asked him about it. Turns out, he'd noticed a homeless man nearby, so my husband went to the store's cafe and bought a sandwich and a bottle of water for the man.
(Now, this does not surprise me at all. This is just the kind of guy my husband is. I'd actually be more surprised if he didn't do this. I'd be checking him for a fever.)
But here's what makes me smile even more. When my husband went to give the man the food, a woman and her young daughter were doing the same thing. They'd gotten him a salad from the cafe. The man was so appreciative, said he'd eat the salad then save the sandwich for later.
None of this was caught on YouTube. No one Tweeted it. No one applauded. It was doing good purely for the sake of doing good.
It might seem like no one was paying attention, but I bet one person was. That young girl watched her mother and a stranger be kind, be generous. That will have wonderful, powerful repercussions someday. And we will all be the better for it.
What a wonderful thing they both did. And that young girl will go on to do the same one day.
ReplyDeleteHopefully that's how it will work.
DeleteI'm glad you shared this. The things we do speak volumes more than what we say.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good reminder for all of us.
DeleteOh, I love this!! What a wonderful act your husband performed. It is so refreshing to see good people doing kind things for one another. And you're so right—that little girl will remember that forever. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI wish we saw more of this kind of thing instead a lot of what's highlighted on the news, etc.
DeleteYour husband is very kind. Not seeking publicity for a kind deed is how it should be done, in my opinion. If you seek credit for it, what is the point?
ReplyDeleteAnd if I hadn't asked him about the delay, he probably wouldn't have even said anything!
DeleteI wonder if that woman did the same sort of thing often enough that to her daughter it was just Mom being Mom?
That is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteWe need more people like your husband in the world. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree! :)
DeleteThat's a wonderful story! It's nice to know there are people who do good deeds just for the sake of doing them and not for some recognition.
ReplyDeleteI believe there are lots of people out there like that.
DeleteAwww, that is awesome that more than one person went to help that man. =)
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
DeleteI love this! Thanks for sharing that experience. I hope my kids have internalized when I have done things like this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they have. :)
DeleteWonderful story. Maybe our "nameless, unremembered acts of kindness" do get remembered some times...
ReplyDeleteI believe they do. We just never know when or by whom.
DeleteWhat a wonderful man. You're a lucky woman. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I know! :)
DeleteThis made me smile so much. What a wonderful story. And I agree with emaginette, your husband is obviously a wonderful man!
ReplyDeleteGlad it made you smile!
DeleteI agree. :)
That is a great story. And that is the best way for a child to learn a lesson.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
It's one of those lessons that will embed itself in the memory and become a part of who the person is and becomes.
DeleteWhat a sweet story. There is a lot of kindness out there that doesn't get recorded.
ReplyDeleteI try to think about all the kindness out there when the world seems especially crazy.
DeleteOn one hand, I think it's nice no one made a YouTube video of it. Kindness shouldn't be remarkable, (but these days it seems to be.) On the other hand, people can be inspired to follow in the good steps of others, so publicizing good works is not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Tamara.
DeleteI think the idea is that most likely someone is watching and even if it's only one person, that person might - hopefully! - do something kind for someone else, starting a positive chain reaction. (There was an old TV commercial - for an insurance company, I think - that showcased that idea beautifully.)
LOVE this post! If only everyone were as compassionate and generous. And I agree that it will make a big difference to that little girl to see kind folks.
ReplyDeleteIt makes a difference to me, and I'm an adult. It's great reminder that there are people like that in the world - I live with one of them! - and that any of us - all of us! - can do small random acts of kindness.
DeleteAww. So sweet. Have a great weekend, Madeline.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you have a good weekend, too.
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