The Kindness of Strangers

Kind. Thoughtful. Compassionate. Generous. These are awesome words to use to describe someone...I pray that when my time comes to leave this world these are the words used to sum up my life.

Growing up my parents often reached out to others in many ways...some people and ways I had no idea about until after my father's passing. We often had people...sometimes near strangers...living in our home to help them. Cousins, uncles, grandparents, the boys who called me sister, the young wife who was trying to get away from her abusive husband, the guy who was trying to overcome alcoholism to get his family back...all of these people my parents selflessly welcomed into our home with open arms, no strings attached, and often during economically difficult times.

What happened to that kindness? It almost seems that people are afraid to show kindness and genuine love for someone else. We are so worried about how this will expose us and our feelings. I know there were times when my parents' relationship or their relationship with others was temporarily strained because they stepped out of their comfort zone and stretched out their hand in kindness. Would they do it again? Yes. Would their relationships become stronger in the end? Yes. So...why the big fear of being kind? Why are we afraid of "putting ourselves out there"? Especially when everything can be better after you do?

Today...after an especially difficult week...I needed some regrouping time. So, for me, this meant a trip to the gym (alone) and a drive around town (alone)...a little bit of crying (because I don't do that well in front of others...in fact I'm a little surprised I just typed it)...and a drive thru for a diet soda. I, of course, pulled myself together long enough to mask my sadness (or so I thought), but when I drove up to the window to collect my soda the sweet girl said "wait a minute ma'am". I tried to figure out what they could have forgotten (it was McDonalds and they are notorious for forgetting things) when she said "Are you okay? Would you like a free ice cream?"

Wow...the kindness of strangers. She went out on a limb to offer kindness (in the form of ice cream, which I had to decline since I had just left the gym) to someone she saw who was hurting. It wasn't a huge act or anything that would have cost her a lot of time or effort or money...but she did it! The thought was truly what counted.

Sometimes we feel unappreciated or taken advantage of...does this mean we should stop doing kind things for others?? NO. If you are driven to generosity, compassion, kindness or any other form of charity then be like Nike and Just Do It. It won't always be received with appreciation or acclamations of gratitude, but...you will be true to yourself and maybe, just maybe someday you'll help the one person whose life you'll change for the better.