Thoughtful kindness

Since having a baby, my faith in people has skyrocketed. I have been met with random acts of kindness more than I ever have before, and more than I ever expected.

There are the usual: "I'll hold the door" gestures, "Would you like a lid for that" questions, and "I can carry that for you" comments. While recently traveling alone with my little guy random passengers have helped me with my luggage, and the bag handlers and stewards have happily held my child so I could break down a stroller or use the restroom.

I was touched recently over Thanksgiving by a very thoughtful woman. I was waiting for a walk-in appointment to get my brows waxed. I go to one of the best in town and didn't have an appointment, but was prepared to wait for a couple of hours to get them done.  It was the holidays and I was desperate. I had the baby with me so I signed in and then went for a walk. Forty-five minutes later, the wait was still pretty long. 

A nice older woman named Marilyn was chatting it up next to me, she had an actual appointment which normally has to be booked two to thee months in advance.  She has a grown son and was reminiscing about how she didn't get out with him enough when he was an infant.  After a while she went and checked on her appointment.  When Marilyn got back she told me that I was going to take her appointment.  I was very touched but I didn't need to get them done so badly that I needed to steal her appointment two days before Thanksgiving.  She insisted, remembering how it was challenging to take care of the little things when you have kids. It was such a thoughtful gesture for someone to give up their time for another. 

Instances like these are examples for people to look up once in a while and have an actual conversation, instead of keeping your head down texting and sending emails.  Having a baby has reminded me that people are more thoughtful than I would have would ever given them credit for.