Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Saturday evening, my husband and I went to dinner at a local restaurant. As we sat there eating and sharing conversation, I watched an elderly woman stop at the opening into our area and gaze around the room. I wondered if she might be looking for the ladies room when suddenly she turned and walked in that direction. 

A few moments later she walked past the same area heading to the far side of the restaurant. I thought, she must have found the restroom and now be headed back to join her party. After a couple more minutes, she appeared in the same spot… but this time, she turned and walked past our table. 

I looked over at my husband and said, “She must be lost."
I got up and caught up with her as she entered the bar area and touched her lightly on the shoulder.  “Ma’am, are you having trouble finding who you are dining with?” I asked.

She said yes, she was there with her daughter.  I asked if that was the only person she was there with, and she replied yes.  “If you stay right here, I will find her and come back and take you to her – to save you some steps," I offered.  She looked at me and remarked, “But you don’t know who I am here with."

She was right. I explained that her daughter should be easy to spot, because I would bet she would be the only lady sitting by herself in the entire restaurant.   She agreed… but just then another lady stopped me and asked, “Is she looking for her seat? They’re sitting at a table right across from us.” 

I told her that she was and thanked her.  I watched as they walked off together and kept my eye on the older woman to make sure that she recognized her daughter and all was well. I couldn’t help but think that it must not be much different from being lost as a child (something that was always frightening). Should I find myself in a similar situation a few years down the line, I too would appreciate the assistance of strangers.