A Random Act of Kindness I Witnessed
by Jan L.
(Massachusetts, USA)
This is a happening that I witnessed when my daughter did a random act of kindness. I believe she has been rewarded in return.
I went to visit my daughter, in Philadelphia. She was living there with her husband who was a medical student at UPenn. They lived in campus housing, which actually was a dilapidated old Victorian house, with separate apartments for students.
They lived on the 3rd floor, which meant a lot of walking up and down, especially with groceries, etc..
During my visit, I saw a down-trodden view of the City of Brotherly Love. Lots of run-down buildings, much poverty and tough neighborhoods.
We were walking along the street and I began to pass right by a beggar who was sitting on the sidewalk. My daughter reached into her bag and gave him some money, saying "God bless you!" and he thanked her. The mother in me thought "Why reward someone begging like that?"
I was working full-time then, and saw that there were no shortage of beggars on the city streets. Still, I admired my daughter's sincere offering to this down-and-out man.
My daughter was working as a waitress at the time, helping to supply food, etc...while her husband studied all day and into the nights. Their first baby was born while they were in Philly; and only after a few months did she divulge to me that things were so tight that she sometimes washed her laundry in plain water, as she had no money for detergent.
I was aghast. Since I worked, I tried to send her money most weeks to help them get through those sparse 4 years in Philly.
I thought of my daughter handing change to a beggar on the street so cheerfully, when she could have used it herself.
Well, they came home to Boston from Philly after my son-in-law graduated and he studied in Boston to specialize in his field. They now have a big, beautiful home, two lovely, healthy children and have a good life.
When I see her life now, every so often I remember how she gave to beggars on the street and I hope that (and think that) her "God bless you's" were seen and rewarded.
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