Friday, July 13, 2012

Random Acts of Kindness





Last week I went to go clean out my Ford Expedition. We call him Beastie Boy because My car seats 8 people and it's a Beast. He has a V8 engine, not to be confused with the a V8 drink and He is dark Green on a good day when he's not covered with dirt and mud.

Anyhew... not sure why I went into that lil description with you all about my car but there you have it. So my car was beyond filthy after we had company and a road trip earlier in like...  June(don't judge me that I haven't cleaned it out since June).
Yes, There were love notes written in the dirt from family and friends, there was an unidentifiable smell that was coming from the back and well... it was time for a wash.(Again, Don't judge me)


I headed down with my Sol Doll to get this nasty job done and out of the way so we could go play. Little did I know this is where my Random "Act of Kindness" would take place.

Nothing unusual about the first part, we pulled up to pay for our 6 dollar car wash, we went through the washing machine, which btw used to be like an event at Disneyland when my kids were lil, sigh.. not so much anymore. I think I did see Solomon get a little excited toward the end, but ya know you have to contain those emotions when you are a cool 10 year old boy. 


We pulled around to where the vacuums are and I was super excited to have found a good spot because sometimes this is where the car wash can turn Jerry Springer nasty. Ya know, people fighting over a vacuum, nasty. So I jump out all raring and ready to get my vacuum on and this is when I noticed my neighbor.


A sweet, little old lady who was standing there at the car wash looking baffled, dazzed and confused. She was next to a beautiful brand new Lexus and I thought maybe she thought I parked too close? Honestly, for like 2.5 seconds, I was hoping she wouldn't be a snooty old lady that was going to ask me to move so I didn't damage her beautiful car. (Yes, I have issues) I quickly realized that wasn't the case.
She then asked me, "How do you turn this thing on?" 
OH!! Oh that's all she wanted was to know how to turn the vacuum cleaner on. Well, easy enough I can do that, but then I realized after she thanked me several times for just pushing the red button, that she was having a very hard time vacuuming. 


It wasn't because she didn't know how. Ya know, cause some people do go their entire lives without knowing how to vacuum out their own cars. Some people like that, live in places like where I live. SOME PEOPLE, actually there are a lot of people that live here that don't know how to vacuum, dust, do dishes, etc. because they have paid servants to do those sorts of things. Yes, I live in Yuppy-ville. And Yes, I still do have issues.


But No, this wasn't her issue. She was older. Frail, and I could tell she was trying very hard to bend over and clean out her beautiful new car.
Now, I am going to stop you right here because I know what you are thinking. You think she played me like a fiddle,(or maybe you don't think that because you don't have issues) But, I am a firm believer in Respecting the Elderly. I am of the cloth that has taught their children to get up from their seat and offer it to an older person simply because they are older. It's important to teach our children respect. Because, I think that it is amazing, truly that people can live so long and see so much and still be standing. Maybe it's my sentimental heart but I LOVE the elderly. Did I ever tell you how I once went to an old folks home to adopt a Grandma? Well, that's a story for another day.


Anyway, this is where my ACT of KINDNESS comes in. I went over to this sweet, old stranger and I said, "Why don't you let me help you?" 
She said,  "Oh dear, I Don't want to keep you from getting your car cleaned."
I said,  " My son Solomon will be happy to get control of the vacuum. Here let me see that." And I just took over and vacuumed out her entire car.
While I was vacuuming she told me that she is 85 years old.
85 YEARS OLD people!!
And that she had just recovered from a surgery on her shoulder. 
And she kept thanking me over, and over. 
I stood there after she drove away and I was the one who was thankful.
I was thankful that my body is NOT 85 years old yet.
I was thankful that my eyes were looking for an opportunity to be kind.
I was thankful that I got to meet a beautiful stranger.
I was thankful that I got to ACT upon what I say.




Find your sparkle, bog site
If this story inspired you or reminded of your own act of kindness please join me for Random Acts of Kindness every month hosted by yours truly, and a handful of other amazing women. 


Simply link up below with My girl Lucy whose entire life is one big ACT of KINDNESS. She has thought of this brilliant idea for us all to keep our eyes out for opportunities where we can share the Vitamin LOVE, and do Random Acts of Kindness.


I hope you will join in.





13 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Noel!! I loved reading your post! It's so awesome that you helped this sweet older lady. I;m like you, I love older people.. I always tell myself someday I will be that age and how would I want to be treated. I bet she was so grateful. you totally made her day and what an awesome example you were to your son as well. You are so AWESOME!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

what a great post!! Such insight :)

Barefoot Hippie Girl said...

Wow! I love hearing about your issues. And, now I am going to have to try to be kind so I can occasionally link up.=)

Brooke Nicole said...

That is so sweet. I love this story.

Brooke Nicole said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said...

That's awesome that you had that kind of opportunity to help her! We do have to be grateful for strong bodies that work well most of the time..it's a blessing!

Alyx said...

Such a beautiful story, and so wonderful of you to take the time out to help that woman - I can only imagine how much brighter you made her day!

Positively Alene said...

What a blessing to be here, to meet you in the last week, and to read your story. I'm sure the older lady was so thankful!!!! Glad I have a community to help stretch me now to serving others more!

Jeni said...

You make me want to be a much kinder and more helpful person. :) I really am inspired by how it just comes so naturally to you.

amoryg said...

You are a doll!!

And I have issues like that. Only the cleaning out your car issue far exceeds 2 months. ;)

Erin said...

AWWW that was so sweet of you! I am like totally tearing up here! I love when people are just nice, just to be nice. I was just telling Brent this morning that I don't understand why people have to be mean (this was after he had an encounter with a mean person, by the way).

Unknown said...

My sweet sweet No..el... I LOVE your blog and how you tell it like it is. I'm giving you a blog award! Come on over to get your award.

http://todaywiththetennerys.blogspot.com/2012/07/oh-my-liebster-blog-award-for-me.html

xoxo

Brittany T. said...

awhh! I know the old woman was happy and relieved that you helped her!! I too love that teaching about teaching kids to respect the elderly. i can't wait to read about your adopt a grandma post! sounds like something i would want to do! :)

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