Random Acts of Kindness Add Up

One of the truest things in my life is that, sometimes, it's the little things that really matter most.

Not long ago I was in a foul mood: the kids were dragging and late for school, my kitchen was being torn up and the construction guys showed up with hammers and saws at 7:30, I couldn't find my favorite scarf. As I was driving back from dropping my sons off, grumbling about all of the inconveniences in my life, a tiny voice in my head said "look for someone to help, it will make you feel better."

I wasn't feeling very receptive. Yeah, right, whatever, you irritating little figment of altruism!

As I was standing in line at Safeway, the woman ahead of me was buying Tylenol. She was really ticking me off because it was the only line open and she was arguing w/the checker that the Tylenol was on sale, a dollar off. I internally rolled my eyes. Geeze, lady, it's only a dollar, cough it up!

The woman decided not to buy the Tylenol and started walking away. "Wait!" I piped up, without thinking. "I'll buy that for you."

The woman, about my age, smiled; she had extremely crooked teeth. I noticed her jacket was torn. "Thanks, I only had $2 left on my Visa card," she said. "I fell this morning and threw out my back. I could really use some of these."

That incident turned around my day. I'm still thinking about the woman who came into my life for a brief moment and hopefully will stay in my heart for a long while. I'm not sure who was paying it forward, her or me.