You've been hugged!
Just another day!
It's Monday afternoon and I finally had a chance to escape from the office to head home for the day. I had awaken early that morning with a horrible cough, sore throat and fever. But, I had a committment to a group of new hires and needed to go into the office that morning to get them oriented and started out on the right foot.
It had been a really long morning and I was feeling a lot worse by the time I had finally gotten the opportunity to leave. I decided to stop by McDonalds on the way home because I knew I needed something to eat so that I could take my medicine. As I pulled in, I noticed a very long line. But, I still decided to go ahead and wait in the drive thru. I placed my order like normal and waited my turn in line to pay. As I approached the drive thru window to pay, I noticed that the cashier standing behind the counter seemed overly excited to see me pull up to the window. I smiled like I normally do and asked her how her day was. She smiled and leaned through the window with my receipt. "You're not going to believe this, but the couple in front of you paid for your meal and left you this card". Surprised, I smiled and said really? That is so sweet. As I flipped the card over it simply had a pink heart with arms that stretched out and said in large writing "You've been hugged". Nothing more. Just that simple message.
Feeling as bad as I did, in that one split second, that one small gesture from a complete stranger made me smile and feel warm inside. The cashier told me to drive forward, but before I left, I looked back behind me and saw an older couple behind me. I asked the cashier, how much is their lunch? She said who? I said, the couple behind me. She gave me the total and looked back at me as I said, I want to pay for their lunch, give them this card and tell them to have a nice day. Let's see how long we can keep the chain of hugs going. The cashier, gave me a big smile, and said "this is so great, I wish everyone would do things like this". I smiled back at her, well, you are right, but look at it this way, it only took one. She said one what? I said one random act of kindness to change someones day and turn their blessing into someone elses. I smiled back at the cashier and told her to have a great day.
As I looked back in my mirror when I was driving off, I saw the cashier leaning out the window with the same giddy smile on her face as she handed the customer the small card and receipt. I hurried off, to get home and enjoy my lunch from my very thoughtful stranger. I thought back and smiled how someone could do something so random and out of the blue, could change a very hard day for me and turn it into such a sweet one in that split second. Their kindness made me forget me and focus on being grateful for their kind gesture. As I pulled off, I kept thinking how awesome it felt to know I hopefully made someone elses day and I really hoped that the person behind me decided to enjoy his lunch as much as I did mine and hopefully decided to spread the same kind of joy that was extended to the both of us that Monday afternoon.
I am always amazed at the kindess of complete strangers. People spend so much time wrapped up in their own lives and involved in their own feelings and world, that we often forget how a small gesture can make the difference in someone elses day. I don't know who hugged me, but I can tell you, it was one of the best hugs I had all day Monday!
I would like to challenge everyone to take the time to think and extend a small gesture to a complete stranger the next time you stop by a drive thru. I have to tell you, no matter what the total of the order is, the act of your kindess will far exceed the amount you pay and will be remembered for many years to come.
So, when is the last time you've been hugged or given one to someone else? I hope it's today!
