Random Acts Of Kindness
On Friday I had to get my blood drawn for my monthly Lupus check. And since I felt like I was dying, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I've learned by now that the lab takes appointments, but not everyone knows that, and it was cray crowded in there. I felt particularly bad for a woman with a a child of about two who could not be contained. I handed her my iPhone with some Elmo videos and said, "look, I've been where you are, it's okay, just let her watch these. I only need it back if it rings."
About 5 minutes later I was called back to get my blood drawn. And the woman said, "here, your phone." And I said, "no, its ok." And she said, "are you sure?" And I did have a minute like, this woman could steal my phone. My favorite thing in the world. But I thought about how truly hard things have been on me lately. And how just 5 minutes of kindness would make this woman's day.
So I said, "look, I highly doubt you are going to take off with my phone. There are 100 people in this waiting room. I think you will be here when I get back."
So I went back, I got my blood drawn and I came back. And there she was, sitting with her daughter, and now 5 other kids, huddled around her, watching the Elmo video. And she locked up at me and smiled.
"Thank you. That was so kind."
I'll take the favor the Universe owes me back NOW PLEASE.
I'm kidding. Sometimes it is nice to be kind for kindness' sake. I hope that made those five minutes just that much easier for that woman and those kids. Because waiting to get your blood drawn really does suck.
Not as much as waiting for your Realtor to call though.
Yes, the Universe owes you a tiny favor now. A new house should just about do it. :-)
Congratulations on selling your house, though! That is the good part, right? I had wondered when you commented on my post the other day about having no place to live but figured you would announce in your own due time. I am clairvoyant lie that, no?
Posted by: cagey | 07/14/2009 at 08:47 AM
Good for you. Now that mom is also desperate for an iphone :)
Posted by: aimee | 07/14/2009 at 09:18 AM
Oh my. Having a 2-year-old myself I can say that you would be MY NEW BEST FRIEND if you did that to me. I'm sure that mom was so super grateful.
Posted by: Mrs. Wilson | 07/14/2009 at 10:23 AM
great story :)
Posted by: MarathonMom | 07/14/2009 at 11:07 AM
Very nice...I'm sure she was very appreciative.
Posted by: Sarah | 07/14/2009 at 11:27 AM
I love it when just a little bit of trust in humanity goes so far. :) Thank you for that!
Posted by: Amy @ Bitchin' Wives Club | 07/14/2009 at 11:40 AM
Hmmm. I think when you demand payback from the Universe it screws with your karma. :-)
The fact that you not only helped her out (any mom can appreciate what a help you were!) and let her hold on to the phone is the kind of thing that can really make an impact. And I don't just mean surviving a long wait, I mean having a random stranger trust you can restore a person's faith in humanity.
Posted by: kim/hormone-colored days | 07/14/2009 at 05:26 PM
You earned yourself some good karma with that I am certain!
Posted by: Grandmere | 07/14/2009 at 05:35 PM
in regards to things making you tear up...this post did. knowing what it is like to be that woman with the 2 year old...you did an AWESOME thing. You totally deserve a new house.
Posted by: rebecca | 07/14/2009 at 09:58 PM
So nice. That was a really nice thing for you to do. Yay, Jodi!
Posted by: Stimey | 07/15/2009 at 12:19 AM
:) Nicely done.
Posted by: LA Cochran | 07/15/2009 at 04:02 PM
that was sweet of you.
Posted by: magpie | 07/16/2009 at 03:21 PM