I was the recipient of a random act of kindness yesterday. Even though it was “useless,” it made my day. Here’s what happened.
There was A Thing I saw at Costco and debated buying for a friend. Debated a bit, decided with The Climbing Daddy that yes, we should get it. Went back, and it was gone. Checked back a bit later and it was not restocked (and was not going to be).
The thing about Costco is that you can’t call and talk to someone about general stock. Or I couldn’t.
I’m not a phone person AT ALL, but I’m even less a “drive around to all of the local Costcos” person.
So we checked another (also sold out) and then asked them if they could tell us if any locations had it.
Yes, one. About half an hour from here.
So after work before picking up The Kid from school, I drove out there.
As I entered the section where it would be if it were still to be there, a chipper employee asked me if I needed help.
“I’m looking for A Thing and [other location] said you have a bunch.”
“Hm. How many is a bunch?” he asked as we started to walk towards the answer.
“They said you have nine, but I only need one.”
The conversation went on a bit before he clarified, “You came all the way up here from [other location]?”
Yup. No one else has them.
“We have to take care of you!” And he put A Thing in my cart. I thanked him, considered myself “taken care of,” and on we went.
A minute or so later, as I was finally getting out of that area (it was crowded! and Costco carts do not squeeze through anywhere…), he leaned over my cart, put in a roasted chicken with a note on it, and said, “Lunch!”
The note indicated to the cashier that it was free.
It was such a random and nice thing to do.
I don’t eat meat; been vegetarian for almost 11 years. No way he would have known that. Doesn’t diminish his kindness a bit.
(I texted The Climbing Daddy to see if he wanted it. If not, I would have offered it to a friend or given it to one of the panhandlers.)
So if this little kindness made my day, imagine what you could do for someone—whether you know them or not—with something unexpected and nice. Doesn’t have to be a gift.
(And if you know the person, it should be something that reflects them. If someone in my social circle gave me a cooked chicken, the reception would be different…)
I’ve gotten better about complimenting people I see out and about. I’ve been on and off the wagon with regards to sending people nice notes in the mail. (Real mail. Handwritten.)
How can you make someone’s day today?
