A Series of Simple Acts of Kindness

Acts of kindness I observed on my walk to the grocery store

Every act of kindness is a golden thread in the weave of peace is a chapter heading in a book I began years ago: Perhaps 30 years ago. I’m fond of it. The chapter title and the book's conception. Many of the stories in my unpublished collection are huge — stories about people making enormous sacrifices.

But kindness can’t be measured. Does it have weight? Shape? No, but I imagine it’s all a matter of opinion.

For me, simple acts of kindness are significant.

After I finished tending my garden this afternoon, I decided to walk to the grocery store and get a few things. Blueberries. I was in a mood for blueberries.

Dings And Bumbling Boxes

I grabbed some cash and went out my back door where the fragrance of valerian was carried to me by the breeze.

“I think I hit your car!” It was the lady who drives the overly large mail truck shouting as she ran to check out the rear-end of my car.

In the rush, she dropped a load of boxes full of letters. Political fliers, car warranty leaflets, and pre-approved life insurance applications (the one crafters like because of the large see-through windows), were flying around the parking lot. Two 20ish young men ran over and started gathering up all the letters.

I reassured her, “Too bad, my car’s fine. Dang, I could have used a paint job.”

She laughed and thanked the young men as I walked on out of my driveway.

Arms Reach And Doors Open

A red pickup truck pulled up to the postal drop-box as I walked past. Our local chiropractor, walking home from her office, waved at the driver and asked, “Can I put those in the slot for you?”

The driver thanked her as I crossed the street to the grocery store parking lot. In the parking lot, an elderly lady was getting her walker out of her vehicle. A store carry-out youth ran over to hold the door to the store open for her. They exchanged cheerful chatter.

Bends And Squats

After entering the store, I grabbed a cart. Quickly making my way past the snickers, original potato chips, ding dongs, and twinkies, telling myself I don’t like those nasty chemical-laden foods. You can tell that by my lack of specific product identifiers, right?

Finding myself safely surrounded by oranges, lemons, and limes, I began lifting each box of blueberries. I wanted the best box of berries.

Noticing a lady was unable to reach the cucumbers, I made my selection. Before I could assist the woman, her handbag fell to the floor along with a bunch of celery, but a man bent down and retrieved the fallen items. His wife squatted down to retrieve car keys that had fallen from the woman's bag.

Lines And Turns

After putting the blueberries in the cart, I passed the box cereal aisle and did not think about how long it had been since I had grape nuts, frosted flakes, or mini shredded wheat.

The Oreos, crispy chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter cookies didn’t catch my eye. Again, this is evidenced by the lack of product identifiers.

I found myself in line by the chocolate ice cream and assorted syrups. I could get a box of ice cream sandwiches or those mini drumsticks. Perhaps the orange push-ups. Yes, and one a day.

I thought, Ya, that always works. The lady in line ahead of me told me to get in front of her. We chatted a bit.

As my blueberries were being rung up, I thought about all the simple acts of kindness I’d witnessed on that quick trip to the store.

Thoughts

These weren't special people making enormous sacrifices. These were just ordinary people going about their business and being kind to others without giving it any thought.

I imagine people everywhere in the world are doing the same. Going about their day weaving tiny acts of kindness into their busy life. If we could see these. See each of these, we could see those ordinary people are weaving peace with each simple act of kindness.

Thank you, Ali Hall, for creating this publication for stories about kindness. This was a simple series of events told simply. Thank you, dear readers, for your gift of time reading.

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