The Path to Kindness

Day 112

My family took a ride on a bike path tonight in an area we hadn't ridden before. We had been visiting friends and they suggested a place to stop to eat not too far off the path. As it was getting close to dinner time it was starting to look like rain was imminent. We weren't sure how much further we had to go so we stopped a woman walking along the path to ask. She was very nice, but couldn't help us. Meanwhile another woman inside a house near the path saw us asking and came out to see if she could be helpful. It was incredibly kind of her, going out of her way be helpful to complete strangers.

A discussion ensued about how far the restaurant was, the impending storm and the hunger level of the kids that was producing some level of irritability. Seeing that (and it was embarrassingly obvious) she then offered to give us some snacks for the ride. “How about some apples? Or some crackers?” We declined (politely, at least I hope it was perceived that way) and peddled on our way. All four of us were a bit taken back that someone would be so nice. I may be writing this kindness blog, but it would not have of occurred to me to make such an offer. I'm not THAT kind.

With the excellent directions we received, it was just a short ride to dinner, we ate before the hunger fueled ill-tempers exploded, and rode the 5 miles back to the car just 10 minutes before the sky let loose. A fun night, thanks to our new found friend on the bike path.

As for my act of kindness for the day, I gave the kids each a dollar to contribute for the jar on the restaurant counter, a collection to help with the difficult circumstances of an employee. My quota was filled, but I was inspired by the kindness of a stranger.