The Power of Love

Yesterday, at the bowling alley, something special happened.

I was able to show Fuzzy how kindness, and 'what goes around, comes around' or karma really means or or how it can manifest itself.

There is a great little snack bar that is a separately owned concession within the alley.  It is a family that works there, a mom probably about 50ish, and her two daughters, both married and in their mid to late twenties. 

The mom has always been kind of sour and gruff.  For years and years that we have been going there. 

Last year, with Fuzzy being in the bowling league every Saturday, we were there a lot.  The mom limps sometimes, and it is obvious that she has something chronic going on, which must be tough running a short order kitchen/restaurant.  And, heaven knows, I can relate to pain and working through it. 

All season long last year, I chatted and smiled to her, and mostly she never really engaged with me, just answered me quick, and kept her head down, no real smile or response, but it never stopped me.

The break I needed came when I saw that her daughter brought her grandson in to work as her husband had to work.  The daughter and I were chatting about his age and what-not.

The next week, I asked the mom about her grandson, as he wasn't there, and I finally got a genuine smile and little chat going.  What grandma can resist a moment to chat about her grandchild?  This was near the end of the league season, but from then on I would ask about the baby, and chat with the mom's and the daughter's. 

Even throughout the summer, when we went to practice bowling and eat some snacks, I kept up the chat.  Last week, the league started again, and I got a big smile when I went in, even though it had been a few months.

Yesterday, the mom was by herself, working the snack bar/cooking when Fuzzy and I went in.  We chatted about our town having a half day for conferences, and that her older daughter's kids conferences were last week.

I had my money out to pay up front, as they usually like that.  The place was empty, though, and she told me to wait until after.  Fuzzy also got an extra chicken finger with his meal, our french fries were overflowing, and we both got free refills of our drinks, which you usually don't get.  All with a smile, which was very nice.

Fuzzy was surprised, particularly about the free refills, and I told him.  'What goes around comes around in life'.  I explained how I had always been friendly and kind, and went out of my way to chat, and Fuzzy remembered that I had been.  'A smile and a few kind words go a long way', I told him, and they really do.

I could care less if I had never gotten a free refill, but it was an example of how smiles and kindness do go a long way. 

Maybe it's just my rose colored glasses, but I still believe one person can make a difference.  Even if it just in the lives of the few people you come in contact with in the world. 

Even if it is just a snack bar lady, or the parking valet, or the barista at Starbucks, whomever it may be...

Share your smiles, spread a little sunshine, a little happiness.  Maybe it will come back to you when you need it the most...

be well,
Dawn

Tags: kindess, smiles, bowling, karma, snack bar, life lesson