Our lives are shaped by a variety of events, some big and some small. Big events like getting married and changing jobs can have a profound effect on our lives but sometimes its the small things that that we remember with affection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post I will share with you three small acts of kindness that I experienced, things that the giver didn’t have to do, but did anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We don’t get many callers to the door in our household, so it was a bit of a surprise to when the doorbell went at 10:30 on wet and windy evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cautiously opening the door I was greeted by young man who, judging my the magnificent Alsatian at his side, was out walking his dog .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had noticed that I’d left a window open on my car and that the rain was blowing in, and had taken the time to call and tell me this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was was touched by this gesture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was also grateful at a practical level. The car, a nearly new BMW 330e which was my retirement present to me, had a full leather interior. His kind actions prevented the interior being irreversibly stained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OK, it’s “only a car”. Cars are just things that can be repaired. What’s the big deal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it is “just a car” but to me it is my reward for 40 years of doing the hard yards at work, taking jobs in inconvenient locations and doing the things that other people didn’t want to or couldn’t do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I just didn’t want it marked unnecessarily, especially due to my own carelessness. And thank to the kindness of a passing stranger, that didn’t happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I work away from home at least one night each week, sometimes more. Happily I get to stay in some nice places with nice rooms and, generally, great food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, sometimes I just fancy the great British staple of fish and chips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The occasion was my first stay at this establishment and I didn’t know how they would feel about me bringing food in rather than using their (very nice) restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needn’t have worried. Seeing me come in with my bag of fish and chips the receptionist immediately offered me a plate, cutlery and condiments to take to my room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was a classy response and is one of the reasons I now stay there regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n