Random Act of Kindness

I'm not quite sure how long the expression 'a random act of kindness' has been around, but I've heard it enough for it to stick in my head.

The Old Farmhouse

On my commute to work, which is taken on several back roads, I passed an old farmhouse that sat on a lot of acres by itself. Never, in the 15+ years of traveling that road, did I ever see a living soul, although, every once in a great while there would be a bag of trash out front. But, never any cars, activity, nothing. I just used to admire this old house and would wonder to myself, I wonder who owns it? what do they do? is it really abandoned? how I wish I could see the inside,,,,,the outside was your typical looking wooden structure with its peely white paint. It certainly was in need of some TLC.

So, my infatuation with this house just remained with me, and I'd share a thought or two with it every day as I passed by, saying to myself,,,hello house, I wish I could visit you, or better yet, own you. (Silly huh?)

Progress ?

Then, one day, what did I see but a work crew, and it appeared that they were clearing a parcel of land. Trees were coming down, shrubs being torn out, then the thought struck me! Oh no, is that house going to be destroyed? I just bet it is! Well, this drama played out for I don't know how long, until one day, you guessed it, the house was gone. Nothing left but barren land. I felt very sad. I mourned that old house, the stories it could have told, wondered who built it and when, who lived there, how many children were raised there, if any, what memories were kept there, but alas, I would never know.

Now my commute on that road was spent watching the construction guys doing their thing, clearing, paving, etc. This went on for probably over a year.

Acting on a Whim

One day, in the dead of winter, I had a thought. Wow, it's really cold out, and I'm sure those guys are freezing to death out there. So, on a whim, I pulled into a Dunkin Donuts, purchased two large containers of coffee, and two dozen donuts and off I went. The closer I got to that road, the more apprehensive I became. I thought, no, maybe this isn't a good idea,,,maybe they won't even be there,,,oh dear,,,,,,they're liable to think I'm some crazy old woman. But on I went,,,I slowed as I approached the driveway, turned my blinker on, and pulled in. There were 3 or 4 guys off a ways, so I called to them and said hello,,,,they walked over and said hello back. I said wait one sec, and walked to my truck, and brought out the coffee and donuts. I wish I had a camera that day to capture the look on their faces. One asked, what's this for? and I replied, well,,you must have heard the expression, a random act of kindness',,,well, that's what this is. Ever since I heard it, I always thought, one day I'll do it, so here I am. I received an ovation and was witness to wonderful smiles, along with a huge thank you. I left with a smile on my face (and, corny as this sounds, a song in my heart, true!) wishing them a good day.

It was a wonderful experience, and I hope one day to do something like that again.