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.

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.