The little woman ate her breakfast quietly in the booth across from me and my husband. She was around 80 years-old, her hair thinning and a cane resting by her side. Occasionally, I would look up and we would make eye-contact and smile at each other.
As we left the restaurant she followed us out the door, speeding along despite her dependence the cane. As I moved towards my car I sensed her warmth close behind me. She looked at me and said, You have the most gorgeous hair!
I smiled and said, Wow, thank you!
No, I’m not kidding, she continued. I don’t just throw around compliments. Your hair is full and it sparkles and it’s gorgeous.
Well, I said, as we stopped to talk, You just made my day.
She moved towards me.
You know what? she said with enthusiam, That’s what we should do. Provide one nice comment to someone each and every day. Make someone feel good with a sincerely kind word. I don’t throw around false praise. That’s what we need to do for each other. Just one nice thing a day.
You know what? You’re absolutely right! I said.
I thought about all of the bad news I knew would be waiting for me at the office as I got online. I remembered the discussion my mom and I had just this morning about people out of work . . . and getting sick . . . and bullying each other.
Even with all of that gloom in my head, this one moment reminded me of the power of love.
“I hope God blesses your day,” the little lady said.
“He already did,” I said.
We hugged each other and she whispered in my ear, “Just remember to spread this joy to someone else.”
As she got into her car I realized that she had changed my day and, in a small way, my life. I realized the simple power we each have to make a positive difference in each other’s lives.
One compliment. One affirmation. The power of eye contact instead of diverted eyes. The transcendent power of love. The encouragement of a hug.
We have at our finger tips the power that flips on a light that dissipates any darkness in our lives.
So, I thank my parking lot angel, and will spread the joy to someone else. I hope you do too.
Tell me in the comments section about what you do today to make a difference for someone else.
Maybe, together, we can change the world one small action at a time.
2 comments. Leave new
I have always believed that “what goes around, comes around.” I try to follow this every day if I can. What a lovely story.
I always try to look people in the eye–waiters, store clerks, and others who don’t always get treated as nicely as we might think. This article reminds me of the power inherent in ‘doing good’. Thank you.