This week’s JOY was a tragedy averted. Imagine standing in line at the KwikTrip with your darling little 4-year-old grandson as he places his bag of donuts, two donuts – one for himself and one for Grandpa – on the checkout counter. Nana (me) digs for the money, and with a sinking feeling in my stomach, I realize that I have left my wallet at home. I can see it in my mind – it's on the kitchen table, where I left it the night before while making an online purchase.
Oh, the potential disappointment. How do I tell my little sweetheart that he has to put the donuts back? That we have to drive home and get the $3 and drive all the way back?
Here is the JOY. An older gentleman, one who looked like a grandparent himself, was standing next to us, having just made a purchase of his own. He said, “I’ll pay for it. Can’t have the little guy go without his donut.” Bless him. And bless him again.
Here is the real JOY: I actually expected him to pay! Let me explain. When I found out we didn’t have enough money, I decided to take a leap of faith. Faith in human kindness, goodness, or generosity. Seeing the customer next to us, I said (perhaps a little too loudly?), “Oh, honey. I am so sorry. Nana forgot her wallet…” I believed this kind man would step in. Some might say I was taking him for granted. I would say that in this world of fractured opinions and outright meanness, I believed that this person would do the right thing. And he did!
There is kindness in the world. I do believe that. And Jameson and his grandpa have the donuts to prove it. That brings me great JOY.