A moment of kindness - 9 July 2018

This morning I was witness to a lovely moment that confirms my faith in human kindness. An elderly customer, a man I’ve known for 30 years, came into the store today for the first time this summer. He is a veteran of the Korean War, as is my father, and we have often had chats about that time. He was once a robust man, but last summer it was obvious that he was ill. He was very thin and I wondered if he was still alive, and was sad to think he might not be. And, how would I know.

This morning he came into the store, and we chatted as usual, and I told him a story about my father playing hockey in Korea – an event re-created this past winter during the Olympics. At the same time I was helping another customer select some mystery novels, a younger man who I do not know. Both men came to the sales desk at the same time, and the younger man insisted on paying for the older mans books, as he thanked him for his service in Korea.

A kindness to my elderly customer – and a gift to me as witness, barely managing not to shed tears. A truly remarkable moment. Thank you, whoever you are.