In my last post, I shared an act of kindness that my husband recently did. I took to my Twitter and Facebook pages to ask you to share your stories! Thank you for the great response! In my next two posts, I am going to be sharing these reader submitted stories with you. I hope they encourage and inspire you as much as they did me!
This story was submitted by Amanda B.
Very recently I went to the Goodwill store. We were hosting a pumpkin painting party for my daughter's third birthday, and I needed ten "painting smocks" so I got the idea from Pinterest to get boys kid-sized button down shirts and paint each of the kids names on them, and have the kids wear them over their clothes at the party to protect their nice clothes from paint.
While I was there I also scored some great baskets to use for my centerpieces! So I'm standing in line waiting to pay, behind a gentleman with his daughter. He was buying her some clothes, a couple of movies, and three toys. From observing them and hearing bits and pieces of their conversation, I came to the conclusion that he was a divorced, single dad and this was his weekend with his daughter. He tried to pay for his purchase with a credit card, and it was declined. Then he tried another card... also declined. Then he tried to write a check, but he didn't have any checks left in his checkbook.
So he started digging in his pockets for cash. His hands were getting shaky and he kept glancing over his shoulder at the line growing behind him. All he had was $11 for his $32 purchase so he was going to have to put back all the toys and movies, and choose only two of the three outfits. I had $20 cash in my pocket (which NEVER happens, I never have cash!) so I crinkled it up in my hand, tapped his daughter on the shoulder (she looked to be about 7-8 years old) and said "Your daddy dropped this a few minutes ago."
She didn't think a thing of it, just turned and said "Here dad, you dropped this" and went back to playing with a baby doll in her hand. The dad turned around and looked at everyone in line behind him, with tears in his eyes. Nobody said anything, nobody pointed me out and I didn't say anything either. He was still about $.80 short but I saw the cashier pull some coins from his own pocket to cover the difference.
He paid for his purchase and walked out with a smile and a happy daughter, but I dare to say it was more of a blessing to me than to him.
Thank you Amanda for sharing this awesome story of kindness with us!
Have you been the giver or recipient of a random act of kindness lately? Share it with us in the comments!
"The Best Part" is an online community that’s dedicated to brightening your day—every day. How? By spreading optimism, one share at a time. The Best Part posts inspirational stories, encouraging quotes, good news and other upbeat items on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—and encourages fans and followers to share that optimism with their friends. Because when optimism is shared, it grows, making an even more positive impact on our world. Check out what others are sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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