Thanks, Mister

I took the kids to the grocery store this morning. The store where I shop is often full of elderly people in the mornings. Today was no exception. There were only two check out lanes open, and we were third in one of them. An old man came up behind us holding only 2 bags of pasta (compared to our overflowing cart). The kids were starting to act up a little and all I wanted to do was get out of there. I was already somewhat frustrated that the lines were so full. I did not want to offer to let this guy go ahead of us, although I knew I should since he only had 2 things. So when it was almost our turn, I turned and asked if he wanted to go ahead of us. "Oh, no...no...thanks," he replied, as if he had all the time in the world. He then started talking with Nate and Ava. Nate smiled at him and Ava spoke with him a little bit. I casually spoke to all of them as I loaded the groceries onto the conveyor belt. He was smiling so much and enjoying the kids. As our groceries rang up, he took two chocolate egg candies from a bin and handed one to each child and told the checker that he would pay for them. We thanked him profusely and all wished each other a good day as I rolled the cart away and Ava bid good-bye to everyone. That man made my day. Maybe the kids made his- who knows. The thing is, I left there with a warm heart, wanting to do something nice for somebody else. It's amazing what a small act of kindness can bring about.