Leralara

Recently, I took my car to the gas station and a random act of kindness left it’s mark on me; my loss of faith in the goodness of mankind disolved a bit.

A little backstory: I live with my aging father and my two daughters. My dad was always the most stable and capable man I knew. He was the quiet type who never complained, never sought conflict— though I had seen him resolve a few matters that threatened to escalate, he has always first sought peaceful agreement with everyone. Though capable, he has moments of confusion and physically, the robust “country strong” individual I’d grown up with, now was easily winded and often exhausted from daily activities. Knowing this, and that he needed to use my car (fuel=empty) the girls and I piled in and drove to the station a couple of miles away. I chided myself the whole way— how thoughtless— we’d be lucky to make it.

We arrived safely. I grabbed my bag and went inside, only to find that I had no wallet with me. Nothing. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do and so, explaining to the attendant my situation and that I’d be back, slumped to the car to dig out spare change to limp home without accomplishing my goal.

I didn’t see her approach, but heard a faint tapping on my window, a complete stranger who had taken the time to come to our rescue. “I put ten dollars on— I’ve been in your shoes.” she said casually, and walked away.