A Random Act of Kindness

 Its that time of year again. Sure, there are those who started their shopping before the tree came down last year, but many are now feeling the pressure to do their Christmas shopping. It becomes a difficult task to buy things last minute, for someone who probably doesn’t need for much at a time when malls are overrun with people just like you. Doesn’t do much for the holiday spirit.

As I thought about this and my own “bah humbug” attitude, I remembered something that happened in 2010. For that particular Christmas my sister had suggested that in lieu of gifts each of us was to do a random act of kindness and then report on that at our get together. Sounded like a novel idea.

Just prior to that Christmas, my wife and I were in Brandon. Her nephew was playing in a hockey tournament and so that gave us an opportunity to go watch and also spend time with her brother and his wife. Although it was enjoyable, I was not having a good day. And perhaps it was just normal, this time of year does that to me. It was a cold, dreary day and the clouds in my head were just as dark as the clouds in the sky.

On our way home we needed to stop at Sobeys to pick up a few groceries. The line ups were long, and patience was running thin. As the customer in front of us was having her groceries wrung up, I suggested to my wife that we offer to pay for that woman’s groceries. I was hoping she would make the offer but she stepped aside and let me walk through first so I could make the offer. I stepped forward bravely but then lost my nerve. It would create a scene. It could be embarrassing. She would probably think I was some sort of nut case. But then courage took hold, and I made the offer.

Well, to be sure, the reaction was interesting. The cashier had a nervous chuckle and the customer gave me a very weird look. I assured them both that I was quite serious. The woman was flustered and wanted to know why. I suggested that we wanted to do this for her and wished her a Merry Christmas. She made the comment that it was good to see that there were still nice people around. And as she left, she wished us a Merry Christmas as well.

That random act of kindness gave a pleasant surprise to some stranger that evening. What was even more fulfilling was the warm sense of community I felt. It was interesting how long that feeling stayed with me. It helped, at least temporarily, in removing that dark cloud that had been hanging over my head for far too long. And for some strange reason, I think I rediscovered what Christmas was meant to be. And all it cost me was $36.70.

I shared that story with my colleagues. A few days after sharing that one of them said there was an article in the Brandon Sun about what I had done. I just thought I had misunderstood her and didn’t think about it again but then a few days later decided I would see if there was something to what she had said. It turned out to be a letter to the editor that had been published the same day I posted about this on my blogsite. Talk about random. The letter read as follows.

A quick trip to the grocery store late in the afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 4 turned into quite a heartwarming experience for me. I was at Sobeys and was just about to pay for my groceries, when the man who was in line behind me said to the cashier "add that onto mine, please."

Shocked, I turned around and looked at the man with a puzzled look on my face. The cashier and I looked at each other, and then we both looked at the fellow who had just offered to pay for my groceries. I immediately said to him "What? Why would you want to do that? We don't even know each other." Which was true, we were complete strangers.

The man then said to me, with a friendly smile, "I want to, I insist. Merry Christmas!" All I could say was, "Are you serious?" And he said, "Sure I am!" Of course, I politely declined his offer, and told him that it was very kind of him, but not necessary. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He seemed so genuine and sincere and kind, it brought tears to my eyes.

I told him, "There really are some wonderful people in this world." I thanked him from the bottom of my heart, and wished him a very Merry Christmas.

I left the store with a big smile, tears in my eyes, and a warm heart. As soon as I got into my vehicle, I phoned my husband to tell him what had just happened to me! It was an incredibly kind gesture for one stranger to do for another.

After I left the store, I felt guilty. I thought to myself, maybe I should have stuck around to speak to him a little longer, I wish I would have asked him his name. I circled the parking lot, hoping to see him again, but didn't. I don't know why he chose me to be the recipient of his generosity, but it has affected me greatly. I appreciate what he did, although I wish that he would have chosen someone who needed it more than me.

That is why I have decided that I must pay it forward ... and I will. I hope that the man who was in line behind me at Sobeys on Saturday reads this. I haven't stopped thinking about him, or what he did, or why he even did it for that matter. I want to apologize for not asking him his name or waiting for him so we could speak to one another a little longer.

I do want to thank him yet again, and I want him to know how wonderful I think he is, and how his kindness has affected me. I would also like to once again wish him a very Merry Christmas! Without knowing it, a complete stranger has made this Christmas one that I will never forget. Think about how we could all be that person in someone else's Christmas memories.

After the difficulties of the last almost two years and as we plan for whatever this Christmas may bring, we need to find ways of bringing some semblance of sanity to a crazy world. Perhaps it isn’t about spending copious dollars on gifts. Perhaps it’s an effort to bring joy to someone else’s life. Random acts of kindness will do that. Not just for others but for yourself as well. Make it a good one.