Every act of kindness, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, always goes a long way.
That morning at the grocery store started like any other, but an unexpected encounter changed something in me for good.
An elderly lady, probably in her 80s, was holding a box of cereal and milk. She appeared fragile and as if she had to muster energy just to stand. She rested on the counter, and then she noticed I was only holding a single soda can so she smiled at me and said, “Go ahead of me, son.”
Her words and her kindness meant more to me than that lady could ever understand. So, I decided to return with kindness myself.
I paid for my soda and then pretended to be looking for something in my pockets. I stepped aside but stayed close. She sat up and turned and from the corner of my eye I saw her hands quirkily shaking as she moved the box of cereal.
I hovered by the counter, waiting for the right moment to pay for her things.
After the cashier had finished scanning her items and gave the total, I calmly slid my card forward. “It’s with mine,” I said.
The elderly lady turned, surprised. “Oh no,” she said gently. “Why did you do that? I can pay for myself.”
I leaned in just enough to keep my voice low. “You already did,” I said. “You paid me first—with kindness.”
She was surprised, paused, and in that beat the cashier rang up the sale. The receipt came out. The moment passed.
She looked at me, her eyes glossy, caught between protest and gratitude, and I realized just how much small gestures could matter.
We walked out together, and at the door, she asked me why I’d done it. I told her the truth, that her kindness made me realize how simple it is to care. She smiled, and hoped I’d pass it on, and gave my arm a squeeze before we parted.
Thinking about this encounter, I realize that I forgot about the soda long time, but the moment stayed with me forever.
Kindness doesn’t require notice or anything in return, it only requires a chance and a person ready to take it. That lady in all likelihood never realized how much she gave me in that brief moment in line at the store. And since then, I’ve tried to be on the lookout for those hand-it-down moment, one gesture at the time.
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