On Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:28:21 -0800 (PST), Kalmia
wrote:
Reminds me of one day I had such an opportunity. I had to pay a $26
library assessment for a missing book, and I found I had not enough in
my wallet, except for a single $100 bill. I offered it to the clerk,
who told me they couldn't change a bill that large. Something made me
say, "The rest can be a donation to the library" and the woman stared
at me as though I had 3 heads. She ran back to the office and said
that was ok and cleared up my lost-book fine, glowing.
On my way out to the parking lot, a woman in an SUV stopped and got my
attention. I thought maybe I'd offended her somehow. Turned out she
was behind me in line for the checkout and saw the incident and told
me that somebody ought to tell me "thank you", and that "more people
should...", etc. Embarrassed me no end. When I told the wife what I'd
done, she simply said "You did right."
I couldn't stop the tears, that such a simple thing was so damned
rare. So I gave the library @ $75! Who doesn't blow that much on one
dinner out? You'd have thought I actually brought about world peace!
I'm still embarrassed about it, but I'd do it again.
Someone once said something to the effect: "Lord, if there is any good
I can do, let me do it now, for I may not pass this way again."
Alex, embarrassed to tell the story, but still not understanding why.