Monday, June 4, 2018

My Version Of Paying For A Strangers Coffee


Most days on the way home from work, Lisa stops for a Dunkin Donuts iced coffee. Last week, when she pulled up to the window, she was informed that her coffee had been paid for by the person ahead of her. Without a second thought, Lisa paid for the coffee order of the person behind her. When Lisa told me what happened, her face lit up.

"I know it's just a coffee, but it's kind of cool that some random person would pay for my coffee."

Lisa's story inspired me. As a Work at Home Dog Mom, I don't get out too often. Extending a random act of kindness in the form of paying for someone's lunch at a cafe or a coffee for the person behind me at the drive-thru isn't an option.

I thought back to a couple of months ago when I made a care package for a sweet pup who was having some joint issues. Lisa has known this couple for years. I met them back in 2012. Their furry kid is 10 years old. She's their world.

I took a doggy toy box that I had made and filled it with a couple of toys and some homemade soft baked doggy treats. Lisa brought the care package into work to give to them.

It meant the world to them and their furry kid loved the care package. They sent photos and extended many heartfelt thank you's.

I made the decision to extend at least one random act of kindness per week. 

Yesterday, I wrapped a custom sign in a Bodacious Patchwork Doggy Quilt that I had made in April. The woman purchased the sign towards the end of April. The order was not time sensitive.

A week later, during the first week of May, I had gotten really sick and was on the sofa for the better part of a week unable to function. Shortly after, Lisa had the week off and that's when Our Big Bodacious Painting Project began. The following week, I continued painting. It took another week to get everything organized in my DIY Dog Mom Project Room.

Meanwhile, the woman who ordered the sign kept telling Lisa, "No rush...it's all good."

Towards the end of last week, I finished the custom sign. This weekend, I gave the sign a generous coat of satin varnish.

I wrapped the sign with the quilt. It was my way of saying thank you for being so patient. The woman would have been happy with just her sign, but I wanted to include something extra.

She loved both the sign and the quilt.

Today, I baked homemade dog treats for our kids. I made an extra batch. I grabbed another Bodacious Patchwork Doggy Quilt that I made back in April. I filled 2 bags with treats, Put the bags of treats in the center of the quilt. Folded and tied it like a hobo bag. Cut out a heart-shaped piece of sturdy paper. Wrote a note. Sealed it with a ribbon.

Lisa saw the bundle on the table when she got home from work.

"What's this?"

"It's a just because gift for..."

"What's the occasion?"

"There is none."

Lisa will be delivering the bundle of love tomorrow.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing next week to extend some random acts of kindness. Like this week, I'm sure it'll be on a whim. Maybe some freshly made cookies or a loaf of homemade bread. Or, something handmade. But, whatever it is, I hope it has a positive impact and inspires others to do the same.

Random acts of kindness don't have to be expensive or time-consuming.

They just have to be genuine and sincere.






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