I live in Melbourne, in a lovely bayside suburb and I, like many other Melburnians am living in Stage 4 lockdown. It’s not easy, it’s not fun but, we (Hubby and I) have been doing the right thing to protect ourselves (both high risk on one level or another) our loved ones and the broader community.
We lost a dear friend 8 weeks ago. A wonderful young man, unexpectedly and quickly, he was taken far too soon. He left behind a beautiful wife and two wonderful kids. He was a man who gave far more than he ever expected to receive he was one of those truly generous and kind people. There’s not a single soul who’s life he entered that wasn’t positively impacted.
Since his passing, almost every time I go to my local coffee shop on my morning walk, I have been paying a coffee forward. I’ve been doing it in his honour because, that’s what he would do .. randomly make someone else’s life a little bit brighter.
I am not by any means “well to do” but! I am one of the people who has been fortunate enough to have been able to work from home. I know that I am truly blessed to be in that position. I know that there are others who are on job keeper or, have lost their jobs or, are simply struggling a little in these tough times.
I am also not currently paying for public transport, for petrol, I am not buying lunches here and there in town during the working week and I am not popping out for coffees a number of times a day. So I have a little ‘extra’ some days, some of us don’t. I know that some days ‘treating yourself’ to something as simple as a coffee can make the difference between an average day and a good day.
Today, the beautiful coffee shop owner handed me a little package when she brought my coffee out. She got a little choked up when she handed it to me and simply said “for all that you’ve been doing for everyone else” bless her, it made my day! It was obvious that she was touched by being able to help others out too.
I don’t post this for kudos, I just want to remind others that we never know how far reaching a simple kindness can go. How much it can turn someone’s day around.
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Credit: Leigh Blaikie
