she was in the checkout line just in front of me
something about her looked tired
like her shoes
world weary
her cart filled with simple things
beans, bread, eggs, milk, cans, pasta
and what looked to be a special treat
one small bright orange
maybe for someone little waiting at home
when it was her turn
she paid
with what was left on her food card
then tried a credit card
and still
didn’t have quite enough
she looked back at me
with apologetic eyes
sorry for the trouble
she fumbled in her purse
looked to see
what she could put back
not sure what to do
I heard the clerk tell her
that she needed
one dollar and seventy cents more
my heart went out to her
not knowing her life
I said that I had that money
I was happy to give it to the clerk
she looked at me with shy eyes
nodded thank you
carried her bags out
and I thought about
how that one small orange
would make such a difference
for someone special
maybe
my small act
had made a difference
in her life too
made it
a bit easier
just for a moment
and at that moment
I knew
there was absolutely
no finer way in the world
for me to have spent
just one dollar and seventy cents.
—
‘remember that the biggest thing you could do today is a small act of kindness.’
-cory booker
Beautiful…
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Absolutely. 🤗
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❤
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This is so touching. A wonderful gesture.
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such an absolutely small act, but every tiny bit of help makes things easier
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That’s absolutely right. 💖
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it just reminded me that there are always ways to help
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There sure are, if we don’t shy away from the opportunity.
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yes –
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👍
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made me tear up. I did and do the same – but it usually is on very rare occasions, because ppl with so little money don’t buy in great surfaces but tiny shops with not much choice and even higher prices….
THANK YOU for your kindness. It’s the ONE WORD in my diary of this year to be mentionned every single day. Kindness keeps us human.
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it really does.
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What a lovely thing to do.
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so simple and yet can make a difference
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Reblogged this on Daniel Kemp and commented:
Charity
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ty, Daniel
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🙏🏻❤
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❤
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❤️
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❤
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❤️
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Lovely gesture, Beth…I have done similar
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It is so simple, but can have a good impact
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Exactly We all need to be more helpful…it ony needs to be something small
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Exactly
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Thank you for being gracious, generous and kind, Beth. The world needs many of these small moments to become a big success for all of us.
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I know you would have done the same
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I think and hope so, Beth.
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Moved.
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“Like” doesn’t begin to cover the best $1.70 ever spent.
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No better value
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No act is too small that helps another soul. ❤
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Absolutely, Colleen
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It is nice to be able to help another soul, just like you did here, Beth 🙂
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Always be open to it , simple ways are all around
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If everyone only understood we can ALL make a difference – even with $1.70! YAY Beth!! ❤
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Yes, all of us
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Bess the concept and bless Beth.
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Beautiful <3<3
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I love this story! Last year I read about something called “Tip The Bill”, where you left a tip in the exact amount of your entire check to thank your server…I did it one night in Flagstaff Arizona and she couldn’t believe it…we take our “$1.70” for granted every day when you have the money, but I remember as a kid having NOTHING, so doing some small gesture to acknowledge others is a small price to pay!
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What a great initiative- and you are so right
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It’s the idea you showcase – just a simple act of kindness and understanding means so much!
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Surely you made her day!
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I hope so
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That was very sweet…
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❤ Once I was in line at the store. Two poor old homeless guys were trying to buy groceries. I'm sure they had stolen ATM cards. They were obviously hungry. I — and the two people behind me — pitched in and bought their groceries. To some extent it was so we could get out of there during our life time but it was also compassion. ❤
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I love that you all worked together to help them no matter their circumstance.i have no doubt they will never forget your kindness
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This post made my heart so warm. You are so sweet and thoughtful.
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This is beautiful, Beth. I think for one brief instant her faith in humanity was restored. Hope she will be able to buy a bag of oranges some day, with no problem.
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I so hope so too, Ted
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Sweet
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You are so thoughtful and kind. 🥰
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This was me.
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Hi julie
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❤️
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You are so thoughtful and kind. 🥰❤️
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I feel that most people would have done the same thing
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Beth, this one act is who you are every day. A heart full of gold who notices people, understands their feelings and tries to do simple, unnoticed acts of kindness to cheer them up or simply make them feel better. One of the many reasons we all love you ❤️
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❤
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well played… (and written)
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thank you, jim –
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Lovely and encouraging piece
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thank you
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I love this!! Oranges are a sign of good luck for the Chinese New Year, too. So, you did even more than you knew.
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oh, I hadn’t thought of that, thanks, Jennie
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You’re welcome, Beth. 🙂
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Reminds me of the time I had two small little ones and was obviously pregnant with the third when I realized at check out that I didn’t have my wallet. I was so embarrassed–clearly the over-taxed mom who probably shouldn’t be having another baby, when the nice older gentleman in line behind me, only buying a few small items, paid for my week’s worth of groceries. I cried a little.
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that is incredible. I’ve been in tough situations before and I so get how it feels on both sides
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Beautiful, kind, generous. And these little things are huge.
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the little things are always the biggest
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Yes, they are.
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A small act for one can be an enormous gift for another. Funny thing is, the giver also receives a gift in return that can’t be measured by any dollar value. Good on you.
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absolutely, it was a huge return for me as well
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💖
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It matters.❤️
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it all does
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What a lovely aware to do and exactly what I would expect from you. I’m sure the look in the ladies eyes spoke volumes about the difference you’d made.
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I’m quite sure you would have done the same, Peter. I think it did make a difference for her
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Thank goodness you were there at the right time.
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I think that’s how it happens, we have to stay aware and observant
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I loved that.
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I’ve generally been in the situation of the woman she helped. Thank God for people like you!
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❤️
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SEE WHAT GREAT STORIES ONE CAN DISCOVER ON THE WORDPRESS READER?
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Thank you-
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😀
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Ty
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U R WELCOME!
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