Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Smile Card Exchange


--by ClemDubois, posted Mar 16, 2010

About a month ago, while in the drive through at Starbucks, I noticed a woman in a car behind me who appeared to be having a bad day. There were two kids in the back who looked to have too much energy at 8am on a Sunday morning.  The line moved slowly and at one point while pulling forward, the woman behind me bumped my car. I could tell this worried and concerned her. The entire time that I waited in line for my coffee this woman didn't smile.

Looking back at her I could tell she was looking at the side view mirror wondering "Why me? Why today?"

When I pulled up and paid for my coffee I requested that the Starbucks barista give the woman behind me a Smile Card and paid for her muffin and latte.

Just 30 mins ago I was again waiting in line at the Starbucks. I heard a car door slam but thought nothing of it.  I was startled when this same woman came up to my driver side window. She handed me a twenty dollar bill and the same Smile Card I had given to her. She smiled and said, "This is for you. You were the one who gave this to me originally right? All I need you to do is ask the barista to give the change back to me."  It was amazing! it was as if this woman had been waiting to show her appreciation for what I had done! I know in most cases its best to have this passed on, "Pay it Forward."  But, the fact that she held on to the Smile Card instead of throwing it away, and then made the move to repay me, means perhaps she understands the meaning of giving a smile, regardless of who the receiver is.

The most amazing thing? The day I bought her coffee and muffin for her, the entire day after, I was filled with this sense of hope. Wondering if what I had done had made a difference and hoping that what I had done had made her feel better.  When she got back into her car today she was all Smiles. I could tell she felt the same way I had that one early Sunday morning. It was nice to have my drink paid for, but what felt even better was seeing the happiness and smile on her face.

As I pulled out of the drive-thru, she waved and yelled out, "Have a good day!" I yelled back "You too!" and waved my arms off.  It has changed my day from a "Why Me Day" into a day of happiness.

I now pass out these Smile Card to my friends and family in hopes they will pass them out or even just look at them when times are rough. It's amazing what a simple reminder to smile can do to brighten your day.

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Readers Comments

iferlamb wrote: That is an AWESOME story! Thank you for sharing it. She 1/2 understood and that's 1/2 way farther toward understanding the concept of "pay it forward" than she was on that early Sunday morining. Good job! smiles...
EnglishRose wrote: It goes to show that being observant can lead to great opportunities to be kind. So often we walk around in our own little worlds that we bypass the others that are around us. Keeping your eyes and hearts peeled for places to sow a smile is the best thing, great story :D xxx
Aurelia wrote: I agree with EnglishRose...we must keep our eyes peeled for places to sow a smile!!! :)
Thanks for caring for a stranger and making a difference.

~Aurelia
JuneBug wrote: Incredible post !!!You just reminded me that I need to get some more Smilecards !!! Have a FANTASTIC day !!! :)
unknown wrote: Clemdubois, you helped her to find her smile back ... That is the start ! The rest of it seem to be a beautiful fairy tale spun by both of you ladies !
Just love it, lovingly, deepula :)
Jacinda wrote: Wow what a FANTASTIC story!!! I loved it so much :) Thank you so very very very much for sharing! Here's a big smile from me....all the way from New Zealand! Hope you have a lovely day! Lots of love and smiles, Jacinda
cabbage wrote: Yay! Beautiful story :-) Big hugs to you.
sheinicke wrote: You are such a wonderful person I really wish magical things like this happened to you every day, aside from you being you because that's magical too. Thank you for being the pirate to my ninja.
smileamile wrote: Brilliant! I love it. That was so good of you to make her day and she in turn made yours! :-) smileamile
momov3 wrote: Great story. It always takes a first to turn someone into a "giver"! You've sown the seed and now- who knows? ! I totally agree with the posters above who wrote we need to be aware- really, there are so many people who need just a little something to change their day- all we need to do is see them and then act. Hold a door, tell them something you honestly believe like- that color looks nice on you, let them go ahead of you in line, let them out in traffic. It doesn't take a big act to change someones day. And, i always get a kick out of the puzzled expressions of "you want to let me go ahead of you? " . It makes 2 peoples days- mine and theirs. Give on my friends, give on!

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