KINDNESS

Last weekend, three perfect strangers showed kindness to me in very different ways but each of them had a lasting impact in my life and attitude. First, there was the cashier at Fazoli’s. I had a coupon for a free entrée that required a drink purchase. Not being a soda drinker, I asked for the small size. The cashier explained that if I ordered the large drink I could peel off a sticker and maybe get a prize. I declined so she then went to the back and brought back her purse and showed me the sticker she had peeled off and had won a free large size drink. And then she said “I want you to have it” I raised my eyebrows at such pleasant surprise. I was delighted she would be so kind. Suddenly, I found myself being more excited about the free drink than the free meal. Second, I was at temple square on Sunday and was told that I could not attend the church services at the Joseph Smith building because those were not for visitors and that I could attend services at a nearby chapel (a few blocks away). It had taken me about 20 minutes to park and now I had to leave the coveted spot to drive in pouring rain to another building. I ran to the car which was parked on the street with incoming traffic. I stood waiting for cars to go by so that I could run into the car. I was cold, wet and getting wetter by the second until a good man; a yellow taxi driver stopped all traffic to let me get into my car. I waived thanking him, he smiled and waved back. It took about 10 seconds for me to get into the car and I was so grateful for this man who was so kind as to stop. Third, I went into the grocery to buy four canisters of lemonade powder. I was in a bit of a hurry because my ever growing belly felt a little heavy and my back was really aching. I had parked a little far from the entrance of the store and when I tried to get into the car I realized I had left the keys at the cashier registry. Just the thought of having to go back into the store in pain and carrying the heavy bag of canisters, was enough to make me want to cry. As I turned around to head back to the store a young man (he had been in the same register as me) showed me my keys and asked me if they were mine. I was so happy he had come to find me so that I would not have to go back inside the store to get them. I thanked him profusely and as I drove home I tears rolled down my cheeks.
Neither the generous cashier, the courteous taxi driver, nor the man willing to go the extra mile had to do what they did but they each CHOSE to do what they did. I now know kindness is something we choose.