Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Kindness of Strangers

I was at Walmart on Monday getting some shopping done before our company came into town, we had been there for like two hours and Abby had actually done really well. We made it to the checkout line and as we waited Abby kept saying "boon" and pointing to the balloons that were by the checkout stand. Abby actually used to be scared of balloons and so I was surprised she even noticed them. So as we waited she kept saying "boon", "boon" and laughing and being really cute. It was finally our turn and we got up to the cashier and she handed me a Minnie Mouse balloon and said, "The woman in front of you paid for this for your daughter."
I almost started crying, it was such a sweet gesture! I couldn't believe that this complete stranger would make the effort to do such a simple and sweet thing for my daughter. I didn't even get the chance to thank the woman because she had left the store. I will be honest, most of the time when I am at the store, I am on auto-pilot and don't even notice most things around me, but the the fact that this woman noticed that Abby liked the balloons and treated her to one, really made my day! There is still goodness in the world people! This whole event has taught me a wonderful lesson: It's easy to get so caught up in the craziness of our own lives that we don't notice how we can lighten the load of others around us, and most of the time it's something very simple that we can do to make their day-----like a Minnie Mouse balloon!

P.S. I promise I didn't pose Abby in the picture, as you can tell she is very pleased with her new balloon!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Al!
Abby is SO dang cute! I had to buy Gage a balloon by the checkout last time we were at Smith's, too! Although he wasn't saying "boon", he was screaming for it! That is really nice of that woman. Thanks for sharing, I love to hear those kind of stories. Abby is PRECIOUS! Let's get together soon.

Bilary said...

That is so sweet! I love that people are so good to someone they don't even know! Little things like that really make your day. I am so glad someone noticed you and helped Abby be happy as well. Darling story!

And darling picture as well!

Nate and Camie said...

I love that story. What a sweet lady. Abby is so dang cute.

the kings said...

I love this post! Who hasn't wanted to be behind that lady in the checkout line? Abby is such a doll - no wonder she couldn't help but buy her a balloon! So fun!

- Kelly

Ashlee said...

How sweet. What a neat story.
I noticed that Abby and Zhoee have the same new swimsuit. I love the little fishy that wraps around it. (great minds think alike :)

Kris said...

How nice is that? Thanks for the reminder!

Blackeyedsue said...

How sweet is that?!?!? There used to be an old man that would walk around Wal-Mart and hand out a dollar in quarters to my kids. If they said thank you he would give them one more. I was so impressed with his kindness.

Katherine said...

That is such a wonderful gesture. IIt makes me so happy to know that there are still wonderful, kids people out there.