An Act of Kindness and Renewed Faith in Humanity

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Personal Stories, Writing

It was that time again to stock up the pantry and fridge, so I meandered through the grocery store, strolling up one aisle and down the next until everything on my list was checked off. When I was standing in line with a full cart for just a few minutes, I noticed the man behind me holding only two items in his hands. “Would you like to go ahead of me?” I offered.

“Oh, no thank you. I’m fine.” He replied.

“No, really. I don’t mind waiting.” I insisted, so he humbly accepted. While he paid for his items, I read a new text from my husband that just pinged. When I looked up, the man was finishing the transaction.

“Thanks again for your kindness,” he said to me, while gently tossing a $50 bill that I watched float through the air as in slow motion, landing on my loaf of bread! “Oh, my gosh! I can’t accept that!” I was shocked to see the money in the first place, but then realizing it was a $50 bill had me flabbergasted!

“Please, take it. Your kindness has renewed my faith in humanity.” He gently enforced and literally sprinted out of the store, vanishing in seconds. I stood there with Darlene, the checker staring back at me, the biggest smile brightening her face, both of us amazed at the man’s equaled kindness and generosity. She told me to accept the gift, so my first thought was to pass it onto her. Darlene was friendly and so kind, making each customer feel like the most important person in the world, exuding true customer service. And yet, she was not allowed to accept cash gifts. So, I reluctantly slipped the fifty into my purse, waves of shock still rippling through me as I exited the store.

There is no barometer in measuring the value of kindness, but it is apparent that kindness comes in all forms, and I can’t wait to pay it forward to reaffirm this generous man’s faith in humanity.

© Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Images: Pixabay

84 thoughts on “An Act of Kindness and Renewed Faith in Humanity”

    1. Thanks, Robbie. I’m happy you enjoyed this story. I’ve done the same thing before and have never thought twice about it. Letting someone go ahead of me who has less items. So for him to do that was surprising. 🥰

  4. This is such a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it. I’m sure a few extra groceries popped into the food bank box would be a perfect pay-it-forward.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this story, Darlene. Thank you! It was an amazing moment that I’ll never forget. And your idea of paying it forward is perfect. Giving and helping others is effortless, so paying it forward has already happened and continues…💞

    1. Thanks for reading, Kamal. Among all the darkness in the world, kindness like my gesture to him and his to me are definitely affirmations of light around us. I’m happy you enjoyed my account of that grocery shopping day. 💗🥰

    1. Thanks for reading, Balroop. It certainly took me by surprise and he left so quickly that I couldn’t give it back to him. Kindness comes in many forms, like I wrote, and I’ve already paid it forward because it’s so easy to do. Who doesn’t feel good when helping others?! 🥰

  10. Interesting reaction. I see people letting others with fewer items in front of them all the time. I’m sorry the man hadn’t been shown that kindness multiple times. I think I would have much rather just received a “thank you.” But, his heart was in the right place and I’m glad you paid it forward.

    1. Oh, believe me, a “thank you” would’ve been perfect, just like the times before when I’ve offered the same. It probably made him feel good, and as a result, I paid it forward. That’s the beautiful rippling effect of kindness.

  11. You were at the right place at the right time, as you’ll know what to do to pay if forward. Someone else might turn around a buy something unnecessary. Darlene’s suggestion is perfect. Thanks for sharing, Lauren!

    1. It was an amazing moment, Jill, and I’ve already paid it forward. It’s always so gratifying to help others in any way that makes sense for the recipient. I’m glad you enjoyed this story, and thanks for stopping by. 💕

    1. I’ve wondered if anyone would notice that detail, so I’m glad you zeroed in on that, Liz! It’s a very big deal because so many things we hear on the news are disheartening that it’s hard to keep the faith in humanity. His words alone touched me, so the gift was a bonus. 💗

  14. April Narducci

    Aww this was so sweet 💕 it reminds me of when I was in a checkout line and while I was checking out with my son sitting in the cart, my card got declined. My son was getting impatient as I was trying to get the new cashier to return items for me. She didn’t know how to return items so things were taking longer then expected and a nice man behind me paid for the rest of my order after he noticed I was trying to return stuff. This happened during Christmas week and it was truly a blessing. ❤️

    April ♡ aprilnarducci.com

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience, April, and for your kind words. The scene you painted reminds me of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the grocery store scene of You’ve Got Mail. 🙂 Kindness is out there, sometimes obscured in the darkness, but then surfacing when we least expect it. ❤️

  16. That’s a wonderful story, Lauren. It’s so nice to be reminded that there is still kindness and appreciation in this world – and you’re part of that equation. 🙂

  19. Kindness always “pays back”… as long as it’s done without expecting anything in return! Kudos to both! Although, I must admit I was expecting such an act from you! 😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  20. Wow, Lauren, what a story! I can just feel your excitement about paying it forward. Generosity is such a feel-good emotion for the receiver and even more so for the giver. It’s like a super power. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience. ❤ ❤ ❤ You made my day.

  22. Wow, indeed! I would have felt the same way first. Kindness is all around us, I believe in this. And we all have ways to show it to others.
    Thank you so much for sharing this with us Lauren. Humanity is not lost after all ! ❤ ❤

    1. I’m glad you liked this story, Marie. I’ll never forget that moment. Like another friend said, he had the money, but it sounds like his faith in humanity was low. His words alone touched me, but of course, paying it forward is always a feel-good gesture. Thanks for your wonderful comment, and have a great day, my friend. ❤️

  24. Wow! What a beautiful story Lauren. That certainly would have given my faith a little restoration too. Fifty bucks is a lot of thank you. Stay blessed, and pay it forward. ❤ xx

  25. Delightful blog post Lauren and what a beautiful post. This is what happens when you show an iota of kindness to people you receive it back with blessings. That man in the store was kind enough to grant you the $50 dollar bill even though you didn’t ask for it.

    Also, love this phrase “There is no barometer for measuring kindness” and you are so right. I can imagine you were surprised and thrilled by what that man did in the supermarket 🙏😊

    1. I’m so happy you enjoyed this kindness story, Mthobisi! It was truly a memorable moment and day, but it also felt good to pay it forward. As I told another friend, “Paying it forward is the beautiful rippling effect of kindness.” Thanks again and have a wonderful day!

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  30. I’m sure you had paid something forward in the past, and now someone was paying forward with you.
    It’s a vicious cycle, Lauren; people being kind and generous causing others to be kind and generous and so on and so on and so on! So cool! xoxoxo

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  33. Lovely heartwarming story. The kind I love. Compounding at 1% a day, in 365 days, we’ll be 37 times better/stronger/more blessed/kinder. We can all do this. Thanks for sharing. Xoxo. Bless you.

    1. I love your way of thinking, Selma! Thanks for reading about this special moment. I have since then paid it forward, which feels just as rewarding. Kindness is so simple; if only more people would put it to practice. I appreciate your visits! 💞

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