By MAGGIE ISHINO
One never knows what will happen in a new day. A day may be such a wonderful one and another day might be a difficult one.
I was walking toward the trash bin in the alley one morning with a tall kitchen bag full of trash. I was halfway to the trash bin when a man who was walking in the alley came toward me and gently took the bag from my hand and threw it in the trash bin.
Since I now walk with a cane, he saved me many steps. I gave him a smile and thanked him for his kindness. He returned my smile and said, “You’re welcome.” Now that is truly kindness and so unexpected.
A lady was in line before me at Smart & Final. I had nine items, including a large package of paper towels and toilet tissue. The lady placed her three items on the roller near the cash register, placed a bar to separate our goods, and then immediately picked up my paper towels, toilet tissue and other items from the cart and placed them on the roller.
She moved so quickly that she had all my shopping on the roller before I could pick up my cane, which had dropped on the floor. That was another act of kindness. I thanked her and also gave her a couple of mint candy drops. She said, “Oh, thank you. I love these.”
The bus driver stopped the bus too far from the curb and I was having difficulty getting on. The thoughtless bus driver refused to move the bus closer to the curb. Suddenly from behind, I felt a hand holding my right arm to help me on the bus.
I quickly turned around after I got into the bus to thank the man who saw the problem I was having and went out of his way to help me. I told him how much I appreciated his kindness. He nodded and went on to wait for his bus.
I was at Trader Joe’s, and if you are familiar with the parking situation there, you know how sometimes it is difficult to drive out of your parking space, especially if you are parked in a handicapped space.
One afternoon after I finished putting my shopping in my trunk, I got in my car and started to back out. People were walking to and fro from behind me as well as cars passing by. After a short pause, from the rear window, I saw a man hand-signaling me so that I was able to back out and go on my way.
As I passed by him, I lowered my window to thank him and he waved “goodbye.”
When incidents like the above occur, it gives a warm feeling in your heart and makes you want to be kind and helpful to others. Remember the Bible verse, “You reap what you sow.”
My mama always told me, “Never forget the kindness of people to you.” She lived by that philosophy and I have tried to heed her advice throughout my life.
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Maggie Ishino is a Rafu typist. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.