Kindness

I've experienced some kindness while being out with the kids in the last couple of weeks and thought I would write about it because I'm not sure if it happens as often as it should.

The kids and I had stopped at Starbucks to kill some time between looking at houses last weekend. After ordering I went to reach for my wallet and soon realized I didn't have it. It had fallen out of my purse in the car. I quickly told the barista that I would be right back. I turned to walk out of the line and the guy behind me said, "I'll get it. I'll buy your stuff for you. I know how it is with kids to have to run to the car." 

Flabbergasted, I said, "Are you sure? Oh my gosh...thank you!" I almost started crying. I felt so thankful and taken aback by his kindness. I felt like just saying thank you wasn't enough! I soon figured out how what I was going to give back, though. While we were waiting for our drinks, the guy told me that his wife will randomly pick up the tab for the car behind her in the Starbucks drive thru. I instantly knew that that was what I needed to do.
More importantly it was what I wanted to do.

So, again today the kids and I walked to Starbucks after dropping off my car for an oil change. I had the double wide stroller with me, which is a pain in the booty to get in and out of regular sized doors when you are trying to hold the door and push the stroller through at the same time.

There was an older man (could have been my grandpa) and his friend sitting by the table we were at. Throughout the time sitting there he had made small talk with us. When he saw that we were getting ready to leave, though, he stopped the conversation with his friend to ask if I needed help getting the stroller through the door. 

This might not sound like a big deal, but getting that stroller out the door is really challenging and it makes me feel uncoordinated and a little embarrassed! 

 I was so thankful for his help and his kindness. 

There are moments in life when I feel like my heart is smiling. It's moments when true kindness, tenderness, love, appreciation, or maybe even silliness are shown. I think I'll start calling them smiling heart moments.