Act of Kindness

Today was one of those days, one of those days when all I wanted to do was come home after work and relax.

I did four presentations today for 300 High School seniors (presentations that I had been working on in the wee hours of the morning for several days). The presentations went well, but I was on my feet for 6 hours straight. Then when I got back to my office, I was bombarded by visitors. In addition to the constant interruptions, I was trying to check email, listen to voicemail, chat with my friend in Italy...basically, catch-up on everything that I hadn't been able to do since I had been out of the office. Needless to say, I was ready to leave at 5:00.

When I got in my car after work, I discovered that I needed to get gas before going home.

I pulled into Sam's and noticed that there was a car at the next pump with a man washing his windshield. Once I pulled in, I began to look for my Sam's card and noticed the man outside my car, pointing to my windshield, asking me if I wanted him to wash it. I nodded no. I got out of the car and the man said, "Are you sure you don't want me to wash your window?" "I like to do nice things for people once and day and today is your lucky day." How could I refuse? So while I pumped my gas, he washed my windshield (and even lifted my windshield wipers...he told me that he used to work in a gas station while in college). He then asked me if I was having a good day and I said yes, but that I was very tired. He said that he could tell. We each finished with our tasks and as he was getting back in his car, he said, "I hope you have a GREAT day!"

I just stood there dumbstruck by his kindness. What prompted him to help me on a day that I needed a pick-me-up? His small act meant a lot to me. This made me realize that there are probably TONS of situations everyday where I have the opportunity to do small things that could really make a difference in other people's lives.

So man at Sam's, wherever you are tonight, God Bless You!