Random acts of Kindness

I don't know if MARION will read this blog . . or any of her friends .. but it's a story worth sharing.

Every year I take the bus to NYC with a dear friend. For many years we took her church bus - lately we've been traveling Yankee Trails - timing, dates are better.

Last year, on the bus filled with shoppers and folks heading to a show, I met a delightful woman named Marion. At days end as everyone piled into the bus Marion came by to hand me a small, white paper bag. Inside, she explained, was a cupcake.

Cupcakes are all the rage in NYC. There are a couple of specialty bakeshops - people will line up to get the sweet treats right from the oven. It was a chocolate cupcake with the most perfect frosting you can imagine.

As Marion explained - she spent the day with her daughter and when they purchased the cakes she bought one extra, for me, 'just because'.

How often do we do something like that - 'just because' ..

I was so touched by her kindness ..

Well, here we are again .. spending the day in the city, climbing back aboard the bus for the trip home and there's Marion. Didn't see her earlier in the day - and don't you know, she's got a little white, paper bag again; this time, as she happily tells me, it's a vanilla cupcake. (she'd remembered that last year's was chocolate)

Look, I'm not much of a cake eater but I've got to tell you - it's the best tasting treat - not because it's from a 'fru fru' place - but because it came from someone so caring and considerate.

So, if you'll allow me a moment of preaching .. take time this holiday season to practice a random act of kindness. It doesn't cost much, doesn't take much time but the payoff is huge.

Marion - again, thanks for making my holiday season merry and bright ..