Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I like to anonymously pay the restaurant tabs for strangers who catch my interest. 
 
The last one, for instance, was an elderly lady who came into the restaurant where I was having lunch with my daughter. She was alone and I heard her tell the waitress that it was her birthday and she would like a piece of pie and some coffee. 
 
As I left I told the waitress that I wanted to pay that lady's tab and I asked the waitress to wish the her a very happy birthday but not to tell her who it was. 
 
I try to do this once a month. 
 
When I was a young mother I was at a restaurant with my husband and two little boys and we were surprised to learn that someone had paid our bill because he thought we "looked like a nice family." I felt such a warm feeling and never forgot that kindness.
 
When I see young mothers with their children in the supermarket I always admire their baby or small child and say, smiling,  "You are so lucky. Enjoy every moment. Children grow up so fast. I know this because mine are grown up and gone now. Someday you will look back and these will be the most precious days of your life." I hope this makes them think and appreciate what they have!
 
I always feel sad to see mothers screaming at their over-tired young children in the store. When I took my own little girl shopping with me, and she sat in the front of the grocery cart, I used it as an opportunity to smooch her little face as much as possible and people would smile at the sight of us.
 
Another thing I like to do is compliment people as often as I can - even strangers. If I think something nice about someone, even if it's just what a pretty sweater she has on, I make it a point of saying it! Why waste a nice thought? 
 
I have seen a cashier with a grouchy, tired expression perk right up and smile when I say "You have got the prettiest blue eyes!"  
 
I thanked my dental hygienist for doing such a wonderfully thorough job and she looked at me in surprise as if nobody had ever thanked her before. I told my friend's 80-something grandmother that her pale Irish complexion was gorgeous and she giggled like a teenage girl! My only rule is that the compliment must be genuine and sincere.
 
We all have the ability to give a little gift or two of kindness each day and it doesn't cost us a penny. Such a small thing but, oh, what a difference it can make to somebody's day! So give freely!
 
My father always used to say, "Have a nice day!" to people. That is considered a meaningless, hackneyed phrase these days, but when my father called it out as he stood at the door waving goodbye until your car drove out of his sight, he meant it with all his heart!
 
And so do I. So, to all of you out there - HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!