A Kindly Gesture

A Kindly Gesture

A kindly gesture can go a long way. Making kindly gestures a part of your everyday behavior is ideal, but realistically it doesn't always happen. Sometimes, just sometimes, that kindly gesture may need some talking into before you actually do it, but at least you made the right choice.

Something recently happened that made me want to address this very issue.

I try to make a general conscientious effort to open the door for people whether they are older or younger; male or female; it's just a nice thing to do.

I try to greet people with a friendly smile and say hello or pay a little closer attention to someone who may seem to be having a day where they kind of need a friend or maybe for just one good thing to happen and, sometimes, for no reason at all.

I must admit I am very proud when I do those things effortlessly.

I am proud when I do it even if I had to talk myself into it.

I am proud that I am ashamed when I do not.

Recently, on the way home from work, my youngest child was in extra-hyped mode. With this said, it's not a normal-hyped mode. She has a condition that she cannot control. It is hyperactivity disorder.

With this condition, things need to be done a little differently with her in order to manage the impulsiveness. There are nights where my child may sleep only two or three hours. She is on top of the world as soon as she wakes and does not stop at a reasonable hour. This can be quite exhausting depending on the day and you never know when that will occur.

Then it happened and I want to say thanks, Jane!

I had to stop off at one of the stores in Elm Grove on my way home that night. The store was packed and people were lined up at the register. My child was running from aisle to aisle, grabbing things, and being overly loud. I broke out into a sweat as I tried to get everything accomplished that I needed while being respectful to the other patrons and trying to keep a close eye on my child and get her to calm down.

It was finally my turn at the register.

Now, I know Jane had to be frustrated. I mean, after all, my child was grabbing at things and being loud while Jane hurriedly tried to process the other customers in a timely fashion, but as I came to the check-out, she calmly placed both her hands on the counter and said, "So, how's your day?"

I was floored.

You mean she wasn't going to give me the evil eye or short-tempered voice because of the 20-minute disruption that just took place in the store due to my presence with my child?

I stopped right there and said, "I am just in shock that you asked me how my day was! Thank you! You don't know what that means."

Jane told me her father had Alzheimer's and it helped her to be tolerant and understanding in a situation like this. I felt at ease, relaxed and welcomed into that store. Those little words made such a difference.

The story doesn't end there.

When I arrived at home, I explained to my husband the frustration I had felt with what had occurred and then what the clerk had said, and how I was so shocked because you just don't see enough of that anymore. I was so grateful for her kindness that meant so much to me in that moment.

About an hour later, my husband and I went for our nightly jog.

Just as we had begun, my husband said, "We need to stop and push." I looked over and a young mother had run out of gas.

Without hesitation, we pushed her car to safely get her out of harm's way. We jogged back to our home where my husband retrieved a can of gasoline and we put what we had in this young gal's tank so she could get to where she needed to be. Then we were on our way.

This girl was so grateful and shocked that we changed our path to help her, which to us was a natural thing to do. All I kept thinking on that jog was how lucky I was to have a husband that immediately jumped in to lend a hand and what kindly gestures can do for someone.

I guess if we all turn up the heat a little on our efforts those kindly gestures could make a really big difference. You never know, it may be a difference that changes someone's circumstances forever.

--Best wishes, with a smile.

A kindly gesture can go a long way. Making kindly gestures a part of your everyday behavior is ideal, but realistically it doesn't always happen. Sometimes, just sometimes, that kindly gesture may need some talking into before you actually do it, but at least you made the right choice.

Something recently happened that made me want to address this very issue.

I try to make a general conscientious effort to open the door for people whether they are older or younger; male or female; it's just a nice thing to do.

I try to greet people with a friendly smile and say hello or pay a little closer attention to someone who may seem to be having a day where they kind of need a friend or maybe for just one good thing to happen and, sometimes, for no reason at all.

I must admit I am very proud when I do those things effortlessly.

I am proud when I do it even if I had to talk myself into it.

I am proud that I am ashamed when I do not.