Random Kindness

A little over a year ago, December 11th, 2007 to be exact, was the victim of some random kindess. I was reminded of this story today, and while it is not a huge and eventful story, it is one that I hold dear in my heart.

It was Tuesday. On Monday we were told that our finals were canceled due to having no power at the school and we could go home. So we spent the night in Joplin on Monday, as we found out too late to travel back that night. Tuesday we went back to the dorms and packed our things. Tyler and I were going to travel together since the roads were a little sketchy because of the ice storm. I was in a bit of a bind. My bank card had not been working, and I talked to my mom and hers hadn't either-we assumed because of the storm... And I had about 8 dollars in quarters. I knew I would have to have 3.50 for the toll road home, I usually liked to travel with a drink, and I still needed some gas. I probably had enough to make it home, but I couldn't risk it. Luckily, I received a gift card to Starbucks on Sunday night for helping with Children's Choir at church...so I headed to Starbucks so I could have a drink, but also to charge my phone which was dying. I heard they had power strips out because of the power outages. So I got to Starbucks..sure enough there were about a billion people there...with laptops and phones charging. I found a place to sit and charge until Tyler was ready.

I had my phone plugged in but wanted to check in with my mom. So I called her and explained where I was and how my bank card wasn't working still and I only had 8 dollars to get some (expensive) gas, plus pay for the toll. At this point I was just not comfortable driving home with my three dollars and fifty cents in quarters and very little gas..I knew I could ask Tyler for money if necessary but I didn't want to do that.

So I hung up the phone and just waited for Tyler's call to say we could leave. I was slightly crying and just not knowing what to do really when this couple got my attention. They struck up a conversation asking if I was without power and I explained that I am a student at Ozark and we hadn't had power since Sunday morning, so they canceled finals and we could go home. Then they said something like this "Well, we overheard your conversation. We hate to see you struggling like this, so we would just like to help you out in this time." After this, they handed me $20 and went on their way.

I always assumed that in times when people would just offer money that I would politely reject it. But in this moment I had no other option but to be grateful and take it. As soon as I took it I headed to the gas station, put some gas in, and then kept $10 for the road so I could travel comfortably with some cash as well.

I didn't get a name, number, or address. I don't even remember what the couple looks like, not even a general age. I wish so badly to be able to write them a letter and tell them that even a year later, I get tears in my eyes when I think of the kindness of two strangers. They really didn't have to do that. But words can't say how much that act of kindness means to me.