There are many forms of kindness. The simplest one, ‘”random act of kindness’” is free to give without any cost to the giver. For instance, if someone sits right behind my bumper, I can move over and let him pass. His/her honk or wave will show appreciation.
Today I received a most unexpected form that moved me to tears: In the deli at the mall I could smell fresh barbecued chickens just off the rack; so inviting that I splurged and picked three. Another customer besides me asked if they were good. “Yes, delicious,” followed by some friendly small talk.
She checked out and paid for all four. Obviously a mistake that I started to correct with the clerk. “No, no – I like to buy them for you,” she said. Without objecting too much we embraced each other while tears were running down my face. ‘”I’m crying.” “That’s okay.” “Tears of happiness is good for a person.” And thus we parted, and I have no memory of what she looked like – just a stranger, but a kind stranger.
As my wife and I are having chicken for supper tonight, I can also imagine an elderly lady somewhere in the Okanagan Valley doing just the same.
I like to think that kindness is contagious – and now the ball is in my field.
Ole Westby, Oliver
