It seemed like such an insignificant act. All I did was pick up a piece of paper that had floated to the ground. I was on my out the door after a quick, routine blood draw when the lab order caught my eye on it’s way down. I wanted to keep walking because it was nearly noon and I hadn’t eaten yet and all I had was that burrito place down the street on my brain. What I wanted more, however, was to be helpful. I swooped over and snatched up the paper before it’s owner could make a move. As I reached out to hand it over, I looked up and unexpectedly into the face of an old, tired woman. She was seated behind a large walker, not appearing to have any energy at all. Her easy clothing told me that she had bigger issues than what might be flattering- my biggest consideration getting dressed only a few hours before. Function over fashion. Comfort over couture. Behind her glasses her watery eyes caught mine so briefly as she grasped the order for her tests. So weary, so defeated. The man sitting next to her, equally old, gave me a loud thank you, which I returned with a sincere it’s no problem. You’re welcome.
I walked to my car, with my two daughters by my side, chatting about the lunch we would buy and the park where we were to meet our friends for a full day of play. Grateful that I could keep up with their youthful energy, happy that I had some money in my pocket to treat them, in awe of the straightforward ease in our every day, blessed to be healthy and strong. In that quiet ordinary moment, I had a deep knowledge that there’s nothing insignificant about random acts of even simple kindness. It’s not about paying it forward, either. It’s about doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.
Everything counts.
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