Kindness from Strangers

Have you ever experienced kindness from a stranger? I am not talking about the general civility of holding open a door for another person or letting someone into line in front of you at the grocery store, which are wonderful things and sadly seem to be becoming rare events. I am talking about someone going out of their way to help you, turning a bad situation into something better.

In an age where people judge you for most anything, your political affiliations, your tattoos or whatever, it is refreshing to experience such kindness or let’s call it what it is…love.

A few years ago I was at lunch with my parents at a popular Italian restaurant chain. My father decided he needed to use the restroom and it was a long walk from where we were seated to the bathrooms.  My father was tottery, the Parkinson’s disease he suffered with was making him dizzy and it was difficult for him to walk. I held his arm as we walked slowly to the back of the restaurant. I had no idea how I was going to help him once we reached the restrooms.

As we reached the restroom door, a man older than me, but younger than my father, approached and told me he would help my dad. He was a veteran; I could tell, because he was wearing a ball cap that mentioned his service in Vietnam. I was so relieved and amazed that someone had come to help me in this situation!

After a while they both came out the restroom and I thanked him profusely. I walked my father back to the table feeling grateful and blessed.  To some, I suppose it was a small thing, but to me it meant so much. I didn’t have to humiliate my father by taking him into the women’s restroom or embarrass both of us by taking him into the men’s room. A stranger saw the situation and got up from his meal to help us.

So many say they want to bridge the divisiveness we are seeing in our country these days. Let’s do it. Start by showing kindness to your fellow man. Do something without expecting  any thanks or compensation. And most of all, don’t prejudge your neighbors, you do not know their hearts or experience. Kindness is free.