You know… lately my faith in mankind has dwindled a bit. Maybe I listen to too much NPR or tune myself into too many negative news stories, but it seems like people have lost their minds. For example, I just read a blog post about a man wanting his kidney back. He gave it to his wife and sometime later she cheated on him. Now they are divorcing and he wants it back. I’m not sure how that is supposed to work so good luck to all involved I guess.

But this morning, something happened to restore my faith in human beings! After dropping my son off at preschool, the other two and I decided to go to Sams Club (well more like I decided… they just came along for the ride). We arrived at 9:15. It is winter so getting kids in and out of the vehicle can be quite a feat. I strapped Brody into my Bjorn and had Sophie latch on to my hand. We made our way slowly to the entrance of Sams Club. Once there, I expected the doors to open (cuz they usually just do)… though much to my chagrin they remained closed. Then I saw the “Open Hours” sign and saw that for regular folk (such as myself) the doors don’t open until 10:00. However, premium business gold members get to go in at 7. Makes sense right? You pay $60 more a year then you should be able to shop for three hours in peace before the “every man” enters the doors.

Still, I was a little frustrated from the standpoint of actually having to trudge back to the car and get the kids buckled in and all the while plotting our next destination. Every parent knows what a job it is to get the kids in and out of the car *anytime* but it can be especially frustrating during the winter when it is cold outside and the weather is less than kind.

Then, I heard my name being called. Well not exactly my name per say…. but “ma’am” counts since I was basically the only one standing out front. There was a Sams club employee shoveling the walk and got my attention because of a lady who saw us from inside of the store and came out to help.

She motioned for me to follow her inside. I got the kids in the cart and when it came time to show off my card to the Sams Club door police, the SC door-police woman asked if I was a gold member. Before I could say anything the lady said…. “she is with me.” and just like that I was in like flynn.

Wow. She was like a guardian angel. After I thanked her, I didn’t see her again in the store. I wanted to buy flowers for her. Or something.

I can be a bit obtuse sometimes (for real, I think I live in my own little lalala land at times) so I didn’t exactly “comprehend” what the plan was while outside (as no words passed between the kind stranger and I) but once inside got it instantly and thanked her profusely for her kindness.

This simple act of kindness completely made my day. I immediately wanted to go out and pay it forward somehow.

What simple acts of kindness have you granted to people or what has been done for you?

3 Responses to “and they say chivalry is dead!”