I Watched Kindness Become Joy

A Little Story About A Lady Who Knows How To Do It!

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I am a volunteer driver for an organization that helps home-bound Seniors with transportation and mobility issues. As a volunteer, I drive Seniors to doctors’ appointments, as well as to the grocery store. Today I drove an elderly gentleman to a clinic that is large enough that they have a lovely lady who sits at a receptionist desk all day and directs people to the right part of the building.

But she does so much more than that! She welcomes them with a cheery “Good Morning!” and offers an equally cheery farewell phrase as they leave again. I sat in the waiting area near the front door for an hour while my gentleman rider was at his appointment.

First, let me say, it is truly humbling to watch so many people, all different shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities all coming into this building the day before Thanksgiving, all needing help of some kind. (If you ever wonder if taking care of your health by eating right and exercising is important enough to make the sacrifices, the answer is YES!)

So, I sat and waited, my phone stayed in my pocket, and I watched. I watched so many people come in through those doors, most of whom were not smiling, and some who looked like they were struggling to get through one more day. And I watched their faces when this dear sweet lady greeted them. Time and time again, eyes that were looking down lifted at the Kindness in her voice, and they were transformed instantly. Every single one of them smiled back, and greeted her with as much enthusiasm as they were able to. And the same pattern happened as they headed towards those doors after their appointments. Initially lost in their own worlds of pain or illness or loneliness or any of a multitude of thoughts that we all get lost in. But then she spoke to them, with genuine Kindness and goodwill, and they would look up, briefly transported to a joyful moment of connection. She truly brightened their day!

One gentleman, as he was leaving, asked her if she was enjoying the sunshine coming in through the window, and she smiled brightly and confirmed that she was. After he left, I told her that I was enjoying watching her BE the sunshine! She wasn’t “just doing her job”, that was obvious. She is a true gift, a walking, talking ray of sunshine.

I’m going to conservatively guess that in that one hour, I watched over 100 people come into that building, and obviously a similar number leave. Just pause and think about that for a second, this one lady brings smiles and moments of joy to hundreds of people every day! Now, that’s a great job to have!

And here is where we each have a decision to make about how important we think individual simple, small acts of Kindness are. I know what you’re maybe thinking. “I don’t have a job like that where I can share Kindness so easily, so generously.” Well, I don’t either. But I do meet people when I go for a walk, or go to the store, or go…. anywhere. As do you. I have the opportunity to share a cheerful greeting and a smile with more people than I probably realize. It’s just a moment of their day, so does it matter? Do those little gestures make a difference in the grand scheme of things?

Speaking for myself, I remember when someone is Kind to me. I remember how it makes my day a little (or a lot) brighter! The feeling lasts beyond that moment. Sometimes the feeling lasts all day, sometimes it is what gives me the strength to get through one more day. Because no one knows what is really happening inside someone else, so maybe it is so much more important than we realize.

This morning I chose a T-shirt to wear that says “Be The Change”, and I whole-heartedly believe in that motto. I didn’t know I’d watch someone live that out loud for an entire hour, and know that she’s doing it all day long.

I want to be that person for others! I want to BE the sunshine!

What a blessing! What an honor! What a choice to choose each day!

Because Kindness Matters!