A friend shared an article from the Huffington Post entitled “50 Eye-Opening Questions to Ask Your Grandchildren.” In reading the piece, I realized it could serve as inspiration for this childless 30-year-old. It would be a good exercise for me… for all of us. So here’s to a new series of questions. I’m going to pick my favorites and share over the coming months. May you also be inspired to reflect deeply on your own answers.
Question: What is something kind that someone has done for you?
This does, of course, seem like the question on the list I am most likely to answer—running a nonprofit with a core value of kindness and all. But because of that, it is one of the trickier ones to answer. We’ve written so much about kindness and I don’t want to be redundant. But I’ve been writing in a coffee shop for two hours now and even with my brain focused on writing, I’ve witnessed and experienced multiple kindnesses before 10:00 AM.
It’s a very dog and baby friendly cafe, which is to say that at any given moment, a toddler may waddle over to your table and blankly stare at you before bursting into a giggling smile. Each time this has happened, I’ve watched the unrelated adult light up and smile and wave.
I’m not the only one here with a computer or notebook. Some people are reading. Others are deep in thought. And yet when a baby’s scream rings out, I observe the corners of mouths curling up.
There was an older woman earlier who was mesmerized by the foam art in the lattes. With every hot drink that came out, she marveled at the design. The baristas were beaming the way one does when a sometimes overlooked part of their work is acknowledged and admired.
I made eye contact with a dog about an hour ago. I turned to look at his human who was adding cream and sugar at the bar behind me. “May I…?” We chatted for a moment as the rescue pup leaned against my legs and accepted generous pets.
One matcha tea later, I asked a group of women if they’d keep an eye on my computer while I ran to the restroom. It’s an easy ask. But how sacred is it to trust a stranger?
I’ve seen friends greet each other with hugs and smiles. I’ve seen a pregnant woman let her friend’s young son feel the baby kick. I watched as the barista waited with patience for a small child to pick out their favorite bakery item.
You see, none of these acts are out of the ordinary. But I am sitting in a new cafe. And even though I am writing, I am watching. And what I am observing is so much kindness and so much community.
Thanks for meeting all the way out here, I know it’s a commute for you.
How was the work event? I’ve been dying to hear about it.
The espresso machine needs reset and your drink will take a little longer to make. Is that okay?
Take your time.
Don’t worry.
It’s okay.
We have all day.
We have all day. We have all day. We have all day.
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