We walked a couple of miles yesterday, pushing my little guy in the stroller. He got hungry so we decided to stop for a "sub" for him. While we were waiting in line a woman came in. She was very irritated and talking about someone who had asked her for money. In her opinion those people needed to get jobs.
We were feeling a little uncomfortable with the situation and I was wondering what I should say to my kids later, especially my fifteen year old daughter. I always tell her we have to be the change we want to see.
I was sort of mulling it over in my head when I heard the lady say, "It's also my birthday, and no one could be bothered to spend it with me."
I knew this was my chance, both to help her change her thinking and to help her feel cared for on her birthday. I asked the clerk for help, telling her I wanted to pay for the lady and asking if she was getting just a sub or a meal.
The cashier was amazing! She went over and casually asked, "Will this be a meal?" Then looked at me and said, "You wanted cookies with that?" That was fun!
When the lady went to pay the cashier said it was taken care of. That's when the woman came to our table and tried to force her money on us! She even said, "I can't take your money, because I didn't help the person who asked me for money for food!"
I just smiled, trying to hide the fact that I had a mouthful of food. When I could I said that if it hadn't been her it would have been someone else and that I hoped she had a very nice birthday.
She ended up sitting near us and laughing with us over the antics of our menagerie of animals. It turned out that she is crazy about animals. Hearing our stories of pet adoptions and other animal antics really cheered her up.
She left really seeming to be brighter and more thoughtful about all that had happened. All that for the cost of fast-food meal! I'd say it was worth the price, for sure.
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- Posted by chloe2t
- Nov 22, 2013
- Comments (15)
Readers Comments
hasifa wrote: How generous of you. You know it is easy to give to those who are kind and giving but it is divine to give to those who may seem unworthy. That is exactly how god is with us. He blesses us even when we have done nothing to be blessed for. He shows his mercy to us daily and you did the same for that lady.
Cheers my friend.
Cheers my friend.
11888 wrote: Beautiful!
Ammi wrote: Nice story of how ripples work
47puffin wrote: Blessings on your kind, generous spirit.
LeOx wrote: Aww. That's so sweet ^^
cpcrowley77 wrote: The big thing is that you got right to the heart of the matter with compassion and not judging. You understood that she was lonely and i know the company meant more than the meal but the meal was the way to give company. Excellent! Thank you!
Colleen P. Crowley wrote: Gosh, i am repeating myself. Thank you! You really got to the heart of the matter, understanding that the bottom line is that the woman was lonely-the greater gift you gave her was the meal but the meal was the way to give her company on her birthday. The cookie offer was funny, too.
wildkingdom1 wrote: Well done and with so many positives!
jsmc10 wrote: bless you :)
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Nicely done! Kindness can change someone's day! :)
