The Kindness of Strangers

The news paints a picture of a dangerous world with mean and selfish people. The world can be dangerous and some people are mean and selfish, but I do not live in that world and have not met those people. In fact it’s the exact opposite.

     My recent experiences have have proven to me that there are many more friendly and helpful people in this world. It’s not what the news media or Facebook might show, but I believe those sites only show the worst parts of society. 

     Over the past couple of months I have experienced the kindness of strangers. In all these cases the only reward they expected for their kindness was a smile and thanks.

     A few months ago I was at Walmart buying tabbed dividers for a binder. I waited in line behind a middle aged black lady. I greeted her and asked how her day was going. She smiled and responded and as quickly as that we started a friendly conversation. We shared a laugh but I don’t remember what it was about. As she was checking out she picked up my dividers and said, “I’m going to get this for you.”

     I said, “That’s very nice, but it’s not necessary.” 

    She insisted saying, “It’s important to do something nice for someone. I want to do this for you.”

    I couldn’t refuse. I thanked her and we chatted a little more before we parted ways.

    This act of kindness made her feel good and me as well. It wasn’t the $1.67 cents, it was the connection with another. It made my day, that a stranger would do this for me. I talk to strangers all the time, because I enjoy the smiles. 

    We were in Arizona recently on vacation and had reservations at a nice restaurant. Our table wasn’t ready so I went to the bar to get a glass of wine. The bartender served me as I sat on a barstool next to a young couple. My cousin signaled me he was going back to the waiting area. I said “I’ll be right there as soon as I paid for my wine.” I flagged the bartender for a bill, she acknowledged my request. It was a busy night, so I waited holding my credit card. Just then the young Hispanic man next to me said “I got this for you. I’ll add it to my bill.” 

   I was somewhat flabbergasted and thanked him for the gesture but politely refused. I said. “Thanks, but it’s really not necessary.”

     He said, “I want to do this. I like to do this once in awhile. It feels like the right thing to do.” 

     I thanked him, we exchanged names then fist bumped. I told him thanks again and said I would say a prayer for him. 

     Again, I walked away feeling great, even though I had done nothing, but allow someone to buy me a glass of wine. As I said earlier it wasn’t about the free wine, but the unexpected human connection. It’s hard to refuse someone when they say. “I want to do this for you.” 

    Just the other day Mimi an I were watching our granddaughter, Stella. After going to a movie and spending some time at the park, we stopped to get three small ice cream cones at Lions Choice. While waiting in at the drive up I dropped my money clip and it slid under the seat with all the lost books, cracker crumbs and only God knows what else. I hopped out of the car and tried fishing around under the seat for my money clip. I found many things but not what I needed. Mimi didn’t bring her purse so she would be of no help paying. The line was moving so I moved the car closer then jumped out to search again. No luck. Then the young lady in the car behind came to help. She said she has small hands and might be able to find it for me. She reached in a quickly found my money. I thanked her jumped back in the drivers seat. I paid for the ice creams and paid for the young lady’s meal. It was the right thing to do. She caught us at the stoplight and thanked us for buying her meal. We said you’re welcome, we were happy to do that for her.

    Yesterday morning I went for a walk at Veterans Memorial park. I go there frequently. It’s a friendly place and close by my house. My daughter, Maureen, commented how friendly the people were at this park. I agreed and my story will show this. 

    I walk three or four days a week and meet many people at the park. As I said I like to talk to people and  most don’t seemed to mind chatting and some may be like me always trying to connect with others. I greeted a few people on my walk, and frequently we pass a second time on a different part of the trail. I nod the second time without a greeting, but this young black girl commented how well I was doing. I laughed and said I was going to walk to the bench then decide how much longer to go. We chatted a little about the trail and weather, then she asked how I was doing. Maybe because I was using hiking poles or because I was an old guy. I said I was doing fine for a 73 year old. I had a few aches and sore muscles and joints but over all pretty good. She ask if she could pray for me and asked my name. I gave her my name and said I would never turn down a prayer. Her name was Hermine and she stood with me and prayed for my health. In turn a did the same for her, thanking her for her kindness.

    To some this may seem weird, but it didn’t feel like that. We wished each other a great day and continued our walk. Now you can call me crazy but I walked away with a little more spring in my step. Was it the prayer, the pleasant conversation or the kindness of this young lady. I don’t know but what I do know is this is the reason I talk to strangers. All four were strangers, one older black lady, one young Hispanic man, a young white girl and a young black girl each brightened my day. 

    I talk to strangers. It’s what I do and it’s better than social media. “Just Saying . . .”