A pleasant time was had by all

Yesterday, I went to Starbucks.  (Yeah, I know.  I go there every day.  I promise, though, there is a story here. Pinky promise.)

So, I was standing in line to get my daily white chocolate mocha, kind of staring into space and enjoying the freedom alloted to me, by going without children.  And did I mention that I was by myself?  Just in case I forgot to say.  There was a young girl there, probably 17 or so.  Nose pierced, cropped top with the hip huggers, obligatory roll of belly fat protruding.  Black eyeliner, the whole deal.  She was just standing by the register, hanging out.  I overheard one of the baristas (coffee makers, for those of you not in tune with the Starbucks speak - never say anything plain when a big ol' word will do!) explaining that she was a bit short and her friend went to the car to get some more money.  I paid with my handy dandy Starbucks prepaid card - gotta love those, it *almost* feels like the coffee is free - and moved down to wait for my bliss to be served.  The friend came in, and her expression said it all.  She had no more money.  They stood there for a second, in that panic that teens will have, when they are confronted with a situation that they can't quite figure out.  A lady stepped forward, and asked how much they were short.  $1.12.  She handed her card to the barista, and told her to cover the difference in the girls drinks.  Shock was seen on the faces of all present, as if something like that had never happened.  It probably hadn't - how often have you seen something like that take place? The girls were effusive with their thanks.  Over and over the lady was thanked. She shrugged it off.  It was really no big deal to her, but the baristas made it so.  They kept talking about it, even after she left.

Yeah, it was me.  I felt sorry for the girls. They reminded me a bit of my niece, and maybe of myself. I've been short a time or two.  It's embarrassing. The Hubster said he would have told them to buy their coffee at 7-11 the next time.  To me, it was a good thing that I could do.  I don't really get the opportunity to do many things that leave a good feeling behind.  (Well, yeah, changing a diaper usually leaves a good feeling. Especiallly ON the behind. But not like this.)

So, here's my challenge to you.  Do something that makes you feel good for another person.  Kind of like a "pass it forward" deal.  Remember that movie?

Post what you did in the comments section.  Maybe we can pass some good around, instead of a bunch of negative.

Comments

[M]

That was a really nice thing to do!

[Jazzy]

My vow is to do this today if the opportunity arises. It amazes me the look on people's faces when you do something nice these days. I will usually help cover someone when they are short and they kind of look at me dumbfounded before taking the money.