Act 6

I stopped at Starbucks before I went grocery shopping today.  I don't often visit Starbucks, but today I was really in the mood for their peppermint hot chocolate (if you haven't tried it - yum!)  I placed my order, and just as the cashier was about to ring me up, I asked if it would be ok for me to purchase a regular coffee for the next person that ordered one.  At first the barista looked at me like I was speaking in tongues, but he quickly regained his composure and said that it would be fine to do so.  He rang me up and I moved to the pick up counter, somewhat oblivious to the hustle of the shop.  I expected to be long gone before the next order for a regular coffee was placed.  I have thus far enjoyed the anonymity of these 26 Acts.  But today, I experienced a different kind of enjoyment.

As I waited for my order, a pair of elderly women stepped up to the counter.  The first one placed her order for a regular coffee.  The barista pointed at me (oblivious, still) and said that "it was on the lady over there."  The lady's friend came up to me, and asked me if I knew her, which I didn't.  She then said "I've heard of people doing things like this, but I've never met anyone in person!"  Both her and her friend were very touched, and quite surprised by this simple gesture.  I've never seen anyone's reaction when they are on the receiving end of an act, and what I experienced today, well, it reaffirmed the importance of these random acts.... you never know when a simple, anonymous, act of kindness will brighten someone's day.

Today's day-brightening act was in memory of six year old James Mattiolo.  "J" was a curious boy, always asking questions so he could learn how things worked - from the saddles and brushes at the stables where his sister rode, to doing yardwork with his dad.  He loved ending his days with a cuddle on the couch with his mom.  J was determined to be a good reader, and his sister Anna often helped him.  When he wasn't in school, he loved playing basketball, diving off the board at the pool, and playing the lawn mowing game on the iPad.  A child who arrived in this world four weeks early, departed much to soon....