February 2021
Much has been said lately about “random acts of kindness” and the newspaper this last week ran an article naming some things that could be done that would qualify.
Sending a cheery card to someone just because…
Calling someone you do not normally phone, just because…
Checking on neighbors who live alone…
Taking a meal to someone who lives alone…
Offering to pick up prescriptions at a drive thru for someone…
Offering to watch an ill or housebound person so the caretaker has an opportunity for a break…
Watching someone’s kids for an hour so a busy parent can accomplish an errand that gets them away for a short time…
Picking up groceries, animal food, whatever…
Taking someone to a doctor’s appointment…
Picking up the tab for the car behind you at the drive thru…
The list goes on and on. It is true, there are many ways to accomplish a random act of kindness and many of them don’t cost a lot or take much time.
I was the recipient of a random act of kindness on Tuesday morning of this last week.
As you recall Tuesday morning we awoke to a varying amount of snow, at the least 5 inches in most areas, more in others.
I had decided to not go to the office but to shovel the front porch and sidewalk, which in my case since my house is a double, is a decent sized chore. That way the mail lady, paper lady, and whomever else in my area, could walk without fear of a problem. I was busy at my task but not rushing. It wasn’t windy at all, the temperature was highly tolerable, the world was beautiful, a very pristine view with sun glinting off the fresh clean snow. I have always enjoyed snow and was happily at my chore.
A young man driving across the street, east on Linden, opened his car window and asked if I needed help. I said without thinking “oh, you don’t want to do that but thank you for offering.” He answered, “yes, just let me turn around and park and I will finish it for you” as he pulled away.
I kept on with my task and sure enough, he did turn around, pulled up in front of the house, turned off the motor, got out, and gently reached for my shovel.
I relinquished and said I would get the salt which I did and started scattering behind him in the newly cleaned area. It didn’t take him nearly as long as it would have taken me before the entire job was completed. When I offered to pay him, he didn’t want money, that he would write down his name and phone and I should call him if I needed help again. He went to his car, brought back a note handing it to me and said “now don’t forget to phone any time you need help.”
I thanked him asking if I could hug him. He smiled like the sunshine so I hugged him and thanked him again. His parting words were, “now don’t forget to call if you need help. I just live over on Huffman.” And he drove away.
Now that certainly qualified as a random act of kindness.
As an octogenarian I felt extremely blessed.
I could and would have accomplished the mission, but it would have taken me three times as long and it truly would have become tiring before it was completed. As it was, I had the fun of starting and assisting without the physical output of energy that would have been required if I had the whole sidewalk to do on my own.
By the way, it wasn’t until I hugged him that I realized he had facial tattoos under his eyes but his smile was quite radiant. And his choices were his alone.
Judge not that ye be not judged. I held him in my prayers that night and several times since.
Sharing this, I will tell you his name, Tyler. Please add his name to your prayer list this evening because prayer can also be a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS!
Spirit always works in mysterious ways. I think Spirit brought him to assist me. May the God energy bless us, each and every one. Especialy tonight, Tyler.
