Monday, October 22, 2007

Simple Acts of Kindness

So recently my faith in humanity has been restored by some simple niceties by strangers. On Thursday I was coming back home from a business trip in San Antonio. I got to the airport early and got in line to get on standby for an earlier flight to DFW, where I had to catch my connection home. I had already tried calling to get on standby for the earlier flight out of DFW, but they wouldn't do it over the phone. Anyway -- while in line in San Antonio I started talking to a gentleman in front of me. He was getting on the stand-by list too. We both had our names added, and walked to a little restaurant across from the gate to wait and eat. We talked a bit more - we work in related industries. Anyway, the flight starts boarding and they start calling the stand-by list. The gentleman gets called and we bid goodbye - him wishing me luck with getting on. As he is boarding they announce that the plane is full. He turns and looks at me and I smile and wave bye. He walks up to the ticket counter and refuses his standby seat. He turns to me and says "you take it, all I have at home waiting is a dog, you can see your kids." I protest - I probably won't make the earlier connection anyway! But he insists and I get on. Isn't that the nicest thing??! Who likes sitting in airports?! It was so nice of him to do that and totally made my day (even when I didn't make the earlier connection in DFW).

On Saturday I ran into Target in the middle of the afternoon (always a mistake in our area as they are PACKED then) to get a copy of Mary Poppins, that I had decided we should watch with the kids that night. I got in the 15 and under line to pay and a sweet lady with probably only 5-7 purchases let me go ahead, since I only had one. So nice!

Things like this really make my day, and I have to remember to do them for others now and then and make their day too.

7 comments:

Mrs. Booms said...

People will amaze you. I'm the one who always lets people with fewer items go ahead of me and they always give me a look of amazement. I mean really, I detest standing in line for one puny item.

the airport guy was an angel...

Pam said...

So glad that you found the goodness in people. Too often we are reminded of what is not good and nice about people! I love the airport guy! We need more people like that in this world! Bless him and thank you for sharing this...I needed some uplifting news today.

Jules said...

Wow, that man was really nice! I am happy for you, that you got out earlier from the airport. I also liked that a lady let you go ahead of her! That is really nice!

Jill said...

wow. makes you want to pray that the guy gets something to go home to other than a dog very soon. poor guy!

Justice Fergie said...

awesome! that guy in the airport was really, really nice. you know how people can get when it comes to travel.

there's hope for this world yet!

Happy Working Mom said...

I love those random acts of kindess...have you seen Evan Almighty? ARK - Acts of Random Kindness!

And of course, I feel even better when I perform them for other people!

Anonymous said...

The airport guy? My eyes welled with tears. Yes, I know....I'm a sap. That was so nice, though.