An Act of Kindness

Several months ago my wife and I went to a local restaurant for a nice meal.  She has a difficult time getting around and eating inside is a treat for us as we usually just sit in the car and enjoy a burger and coffee.  We parked in the handicapped slots near the front door and were visible from the windows in the restaurant. 

We had a very nice meal and since it was after the noon crowd had left the restaurant was almost empty.  Our waitress had waited on us before and we kidded around a little while we enjoyed our last coffee.  I asked for the check and the waitress said the meal had been paid for.  I asked her what she meant and she said someone paid for our meal for us.  Unbelievable.  I asked her who paid for the meal and the waitress said just some lady who was sitting by a window seat in the back of the restaurant and she left after paying for our meal.  She said it was an act of kindness.  I could get no more information from her but it really made my day.  Our will was around thirty five dollars.   

My wife and I are just eighty years old and drive a nice car altho it is twelve years old.  We dress decently, I suppose, and are doing alright financially.  Anyhow. 

Today, after a short shopping trip and getting a haircut, I stopped by McDonald's to pick up a meal for the two of us.  There were a lot of kids in the restaurant having a good time and eating and visiting after a day in school.  Only one cash register was open and it took a while to get waited on.  The cashier was new and not totally familiar with the procedure, you get a lot of that in McDonald's, but she was keeping her cool very well.  I had a question about their salads and she went and asked the manager for my answer.  There was a young lady, perhaps in her thirties but who can tell, standing next to me who was waiting also.  'I guess we are really putting her thru her paces.' I said to the lady.  She nodded yes to me. 

I finally got my MacRib sandwich and salad and had a twenty that I had removed from my wallet while waiting.  The cashier told me my bill was paid for and I owed her nothing.  'Who paid the bill', I asked.  She indicated the lady standing by next to me, who was still waiting for her food.  I was dumbfounded and asked her why she paid my bill.  She replied, 'Just because I wanted to.' and then she was gone.  I did thank her before she left.

Something is going on out there and I like it and intend to be a part of it.  While a lot of rudeness and bad behavior is going on and everyone is blaming everyone else, some people are doing these acts of kindness quietly.  It has really effected me and I intend to pass on the value of the two meals to others and add a little of my own.  I made no attempt to explain that I did not need their handout but realize that would be cruel as they were getting joy out of giving and helping someone out.  I know it really made my day. 

As a matter of fact, I have, over the years, given a few meals away and helped people who needed gas money etc.  I know in every case it made me feel a lot better than the person who received the handout.  Yes, I know some of my handouts ended up buying booze or, now-a-days, drugs but that is their problem and not mine.  I do not judge them at all.  Anyhow.