Random acts...

The other day when we were getting ready to go to the pool, I ran to the grocery store to grab my contribution to lunch... (chips and cookies... I'm such a gourmet!). Anyway, we rounded the corner of the chip aisle, and I stopped to grab some bottled water when I noticed Ethan at my side, right in the path of a woman coming around the other corner. Naturally, I scooted him out of the way, smiled at the woman and said "I'm sorry about that."

And then she did something I hope I never forget. She glanced at my kids, Sophia at the right, Ethan at the left, and she smiled. I'm not sure if it was the fact that they were wearing goggles right there in the store that captured her heart, or perhaps she's just a sweet lady who loves children, but she said to Sophia, "Would you like some donuts?"

If she knew Sophia she would've known this wasn't even a question worth asking... Sophia is a donut magnet (she gets that from me, poor kid.) Sophia nodded.

"Would your mommy let you have some donuts, like these?" She had a packaged of gooey frosted donuts from the bakery in her cart, and she held them up to my wide-eyed children (who only get donuts on Sunday morning, and then only from Hostess...)

I said I thought that would be fine, and she put them in our cart. We thanked her and she said, "Make sure you tell them those are from Rita so you don't get charged for them, and she went on her way.

It wasn't until later that this sweet little random gesture really struck me, and it made me think of a commercial that's on now, where people witness other people doing nice things for other people, and it makes them want to look for ways to do nice things for the people who cross their paths.

This morning I sat down with a cup of coffee and a bowl of granola, and I read one of the last articles in the newest issue of Memory Makers. The article is on Kindness, and once again, it put it at the forefront of my mind.

It's such a cliche, but it's really true that you never know when the tiniest act is going to profoundly affect another person. A compliment. A helping hand. A note or a card in the mail (does anyone send cards anymore?)

I guess this one woman's sweet idea to give my kids gooey donuts on a Monday morning has affected me in a really positive way... the kind of positivity you have to pass on in order for it to really mean something.

So I'm chewing on that this morning... how about you?

Comments

[Erin Bassett]

One of my favorite RAKs to do is to pay for the car behind me in the Starbucks drive thru line. SO fun!!

[Brenda Carpenter]

What a sweet story! I actually had an employee at Hobby Lobby give me an extra coupon to use last night - which was a really nice gesture

[julie]

so good.

you know me...i'm still a card person. i don't know that i will ever stop sending random cards.

i love it!

[melissa]

One Christmas Eve our neighbors parents(from Chicago) sent us over a box of Krispy Kremes and I nearly cried at the door. I was busy getting ready for my husband's family to come over that night and wanted something special for us for Christmas morning but was to busy to make us something. It touched me that God would use someone so distance from me to bless me...I'll never forget those dounut or that random act of kindness:)

[Teri F.]

Hi YOU! ;) Haven't been over here in awhile---thought I'd come take a peek and I should have known you'd have something all wonderful like this to share! T.

[Wendy]

Hi Courtney, I just wanted to tell you that I FINALLY bought your book today and I haven't been able to put it down. It's astounding and it has truly inspired me and touched my very soul. You have a true gift and I hope this book blesses many people as well as you.

I also had to visit your blog and your posts are just as inspiring. I have added it my bloglines. So keep up the great work and may God bless you deeply!

[Sharmaine Kruijver]

Hi Courtney! I just thought I would come out of lurk-dom to say hi and I love it when things like that happen! It's so touching and I think if we all did something like that everyday, not necessarily donuts but something out-of-the-blue, that people might realise the good in others.
I'm with Erin and have often bought a icecream for all those in the car behind in the Drive thru at McDs. Love putting smiles on faces!
Take care

[nely]

That's beautiful. Thanks for sharing that, Courtney!