Friday, July 12, 2013

The Kindness Of Strangers

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” – Vivien Leigh as Blanche Dubois in the movie classic, A Streetcar Named Desire.

That line from the film is what I thought of after having this experience.

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Because I live in a city, where people often become immune to each other as if they’re walking around in their own little self-absorbed bubble, it can startle you when someone reaches out in a time of need; even when they're not exactly sure what that need is.

Yet I suppose this is not only true for urbanites, but people all over the globe.

In today's world, people don’t seem to take time to really notice each other.

Last year when my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, I went through a period of walking around in my own bubble; feeling very consumed, worried and frightened.

I remember a day in particular when I was on my way to work, and quickly stopped in a Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee. My mind was a million miles away, staring into space while waiting in line.

There were about 4 or 5 people ahead of me, one of which was a young lady who kept turning around and looking at me.

She would look, smile; then turn back around.

She did this a couple of times.

As she got to the front of the line and before she placed her order, she turned around once more and said, “Sir, what would you like? Order anything you want, it’s on me.”

I was stunned.

“Pardon?”

She repeated, “Order anything you want. My treat.”

And of course the first thing out of my mouth was, “Oh…you don’t have to do that, but thank you.”

“I want to. Please, allow me to do this.”

And the way this young lady looked at me, I could tell she sensed that I was going through a troubled time; therefore she wanted to reach out and help in some way, just to let me know that she cared.

We never spoke. We never exchanged any words about what exactly was going on with me. We didn't need to. She just knew something - intuitively.

I smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll have a plain tall coffee.”

And after she handed it to me, I looked directly into her eyes, “Thank you. Thank you very much. That is so sweet of you.”

She smiled brightly, “You are very welcome, sir. Have a beautiful day, okay?”

This young lady's simple but powerful act has stayed with me.

She made me realized that yes, some people do notice.

And there is such a thing as the "kindness of strangers."

Wishing you a beautiful weekend everyone!

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