Act of kindness
By C
@ShyBear88 (59283)
Sterling, Virginia
October 7, 2018 9:19pm CST
Saturday we are at lunch at Taco Bell having a quick lunch before heading to a family event that we had tickets for. There we where at a round table my husband, myself and our three young kids (7,6,and 3). A typical lunch of a few reminders keep your voice down no yelling and please ear your lunch. So nothing crazy. We are in the middle of eat and I nod to my husband because a man is behind him smile at us and looked like he need something. My husband turns around and the man starts to speak “hi, I saw your kids behaving so well while eating their meal and I thought I would buy them these cookies and places a bag with 3 cookies in it on the table.” We say thanks you, the kids do as well and the man walks away. I didn’t have the heart to tell the man that we can’t really take the cookies because our youngest is gluten free. But we kindly accepted them. I told the kids to eat first and after we head home and get the van I’ll give a cookie for their brother so that they can have the cookies in the bag. I told them it wouldn’t be far for you two, to sit here and eat the cookies and your brother not get one so I felt it was fair to just hold off a few extra minutes to get those cookies.
23 people like this
22 responses
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
They can be rowdy all children get that way but it’s how parents deal with that rowdiness at that time that can make a big difference.
2 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Yes, I did rewards them all after their meal was over. I went home and got a gluten cookie for their brother so they could have their cookies as well.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
@akalinus yep! We bug gluten free goodies for him so when treats or like dessert is give we have something for him.
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
9 Oct 18
@ShyBear88 That was good. I am glad there is a cookie that the brother can eat. He should not be denied a treat when others have one.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
I typically do not refuse a gift either we can have it or not. I think accepting something is a kindness that is need as much as giving to someone else.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
The best way to reciprocate an act of kindness is to "pay it forward" - do something good to others too.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
I’ll get there when I can. We pay it forward when we can. I can’t always but when the time comes I do as well as my husband.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
9 Oct 18
@ShyBear88 Yes, you can do it when the opportunity to do so comes.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85336)
• Bangalore, India
8 Oct 18
Such a kind act by the man. You must have been proud of your well behaved children.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
I’m proud of them when they are good listeners and behave well. But they are not always like that.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
@arunima25 yep! No filters either
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85336)
• Bangalore, India
9 Oct 18
@ShyBear88 Children are Children for a reason.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
8 Oct 18
A meal full of good lessons. People notice good behavior. This time they got cookies for that. Second lesson is kindness to their brother, and respect for what you have to say. I would say to you that you did well all the way around.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Thank you! I tell them all of the time because their little brother just doesn’t understand yet that it’s not fair to eat something he can’t have in front of him. It’s like saying “hey we are better then you because we can have this and you can’t” so a lot of times I tell them no or to wait let me get something so he can have a treat to and then you all can have it at the same time.
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Yes it is. Most people wouldn’t say anything at all.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
8 Oct 18
So nice when acts of kindness are shown and appreciation is expressed! 
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Oct 18
Aw that was so nice to him and that was a good way to handle things. =)
I make sure things are fair for each of my kiddo's as well.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Yes, I have to keep things fair or one will get upset.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
I’m not sure they understand paying it forward but they do understand helping others that need and some times when someone is hurt they need love.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40056)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@ShyBear88 - How sweet. I love it when a stranger says something kind, and I have done it a few times in restaurants, too. Once, when our children were young and we were eating in a restaurant, an elderly man walked up to us and said, "I do not know how much money you have, but with your family you should consider yourselves rich." We told him we did. It was so sweet. It happened decades ago, but we still remember his kind words.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
We try but they are not always such good kids. But that is part of raising kids they are good some times and bad other times because that is part of growing up. Nobody is prefect.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37966)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
As they say it "Its the thought that counts". It's understandable if he doesn't know that you have a child that needs a gluten free food. But it was a nice feeling that your children's behaviour somehow reflected on you as the parent. Even though you did not receive a cookie you are the one actually recognised as the parent who is able to handle their kids well. Congratulation to you that you were able to let your children behave like that.
3 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Thank you! It’s kot the first time someone has done something like this outside of kindness. It was nice!
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Indeed that is why we accepted it regardless of the situation
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59283)
• Sterling, Virginia
9 Oct 18
Yes they did enjoy their cookies.
1 person likes this
