Generosity

I don’t believe it. I refuse to believe that the world is not good. They say that with this economy, people have become stingy and the spirit of giving is dying. Let me tell you about my week, and you’ll side with me.

Friday morning I had an appointment to get my hair trimmed, a rarity for me. What a great start to the day: I showed up and enjoyed being washed, cut, and dried, a pampering that cannot be replicated at home. I was thrilled with it all and when I went to pay, she said that my hair cut had been paid for in full. After a short conversation, I nailed down a sneaky, very generous lady we both knew. When I saw her later that morning, and I knew she would not accept repayment, I simply said, “Thank you.” A very difficult thing, that is: to know that someone did something nice for you, know you can’t repay them, and say two simple words. I was a happy girl that day.

Saturday morning I was on my way to do some Christmas shopping with Emily. To start the day, we went through the drive-through at Starbucks, another discretionary expense we’ve cut down drastically. I was feeling like treating us, so I went big: a grande, and some cookies and milk for Emily. There were a few cars in front of me so we waited. When I got to the counter to pay, the cashier said our bill was taken care of. What?!?! Was my generous friend following me? Nope, but an anonymous stranger in a blue Durango told the cashier that she hoped it made my day. It did.

Please don’t mistaken my joy for greed…the emotion I felt was not selfish. On the contrary, I am so grateful that these two people are the proof that we, as a nation, as a world, as a human race, haven’t gone nasty and greedy. Starting now, I intend to be that proof as well.