Act of Kindness

Take a moment to reflect on the last time you were in the store, grocery, drug store, or a fast food mart. Got the image?! Now, recall when you were at the register and you were fumbling for the right change to pay the bill because your credit/debit card was denied. Got that image of your face turning red? The redness went from your face to your ears and down your neck, the heat was intense as a sense of embarrassment. Now take a second to imagine fumbling for the exact same change, but this time you're homeless. 

This was a moment today that I observed at Walgreens this afternoon. The older gentleman in front of me was purchasing a water and a few snack items. As he was fumbling, the cashier was apologizing for the man, making it appear that he was inconveniencing me by making me wait for him to gather his change. I wasn't feeling in the slightest put out, but it came across that the cashier was feeling put out, because this man had to dig and count out pennies, dimes, and nickels to pay for his items. 

Then in a moment of frustration and despair, the older gentleman realized he wasn't going to have enough to pay for these few items. I reached into my pocket and gave the man some money, making mention that it was found on the ground earlier, and it was possible it was meant more for this moment. The older gentleman almost let his pride get in the way and prevent him from accepting the assistance I so readily offered to him, but I think, sadly, that his hunger and thirst won the battle in the end. 

He graciously accepted my offer, and a genuine moment occurred when his hand touched mine as we exchanged the money between us...humanity. We have all been in a situation, where assistance has been offered in some way, shape or form, and our pride got in the way. What rang home for me in that moment, was how deeply sad I felt because this person had to experience the moment at all, due to his misfortune of being homeless.

An "Act of Kindness", can come in any form, but the next time you have the opportunity to say "hello" to a stranger or the opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life... make it... and be grateful that you had that moment.

- Terry Shupe -