The delivery man at my door maintained that the Chinese cuisine was for me even though I hadn’t ordered it. I discovered a letter written on the back of the receipt when I carried the bag inside and opened it. I had no notion at the time how drastically my life would change.
Being a single mother was a never-ending cycle of effort, fatigue, and anxiety that required continual balancing. There were days when I thought I was barely surviving. I thought I was drowning on other days.
My husband had left me to pick up the pieces after deciding to live a different life two years prior. I had no time for mourning. My five-year-old son, Jamie, was a bundle of activity and had a ton of questions about the world. My daughter, Emily, was at the age where being silent typically meant problems.
On most nights, I fell asleep with a groan, already fearing the next day. Nothing seemed strange on Thursday night—until the doorbell rang.
I didn’t think anyone would show up. I wiped my hands on my slacks and opened the door to see a big takeout bag in the hands of a delivery man.
Looking at his phone, he said, “Delivery for Mrs. Carter?”
I shook my head in confusion. “I believe your address is incorrect.”
He paused, looked at his screen once more, and then shrugged. “It is paid for. You might as well savor the meal.
Perplexed, I carried the bag inside. My stomach rumbled as the air was filled with the aroma of sweet and sour chicken. Jamie’s gaze left his Legos. “Mom? What is that?
“Dinner, apparently,” I said.
The scribbling on the back caught my attention as I grabbed for the receipt.
Life might surprise us in positive ways at times. Kindness will find its way back to you if you open your heart.
My thoughts were racing as I gazed at the note. This was sent by whom? There was only an unexpected dinner and no response. I heard Jamie’s belly laugh that night for the first time in months as Emily giggled at her own antics while using chopsticks like drumsticks. I let myself savor the moment for once.
Over the next few weeks, minor yet noteworthy events started to occur. When I went outside one morning with my coffee, I saw that my lawn had just been mowed. Someone had taken care of things because I didn’t have the time or energy to do it myself.
When I went to a drive-thru for coffee a few days later, I discovered that the car in front of me had already paid for my order.
And then my vehicle. I had put off taking it to a repair because I was worried about the expense, even though it had been making an odd noise for weeks. I discovered a message hidden beneath my windshield wiper one afternoon.
I see that your car would require some repairs. I’ll have a look if you ever want to bring it by. No fee. Simply giving back.
The address of a nearby auto shop and a first name I didn’t recognize were written on the note. These weren’t random occurrences. Someone had chosen to assist after noticing me.
Then I ran into him at the park one afternoon.
A few benches away, the young delivery man from that evening was looking through his phone. I gathered my courage and approached.
I said, “Hey,” not knowing how to start. “Remember when you brought food to my house a couple weeks ago?”
He glanced up, initially perplexed, then grinning. Yes, I do recall. I didn’t anticipate seeing you again.
I crossed my arms. “You were the one, were you not? The free auto repair, the lawn, and the note. You only did that?
He smiled sheepishly. “It’s not just me.”
I cocked my head in anticipation of an explanation.
“After hearing your story, people wanted to lend a hand.”
“My tale?” Still not comprehending, I asked.
His face was genuine as he looked directly into my eyes. “I noticed the toys in the yard and how worn out but determined you appeared when I dropped off that food. It made me think of my childhood mother. She also reared me by herself. held two jobs. Not even enough time to breathe.
I swallowed forcefully, feeling conflicted. “How did my story ‘get around,’ though?”
With a sigh, he looked at the floor and then back at me. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you and your children after that night. When I explained the confusion to a few coworkers the following day, they began inquiring as to whether you needed assistance. I couldn’t get rid of the feeling, but I didn’t know. I therefore made a post in a neighborhood group.
My breath caught. “And people did reply?”
He gave a nod. More than I had anticipated. A man in my community offered to inspect your vehicle. A supermarket gift card was left in your mailbox by a woman. Others inquired as to how they could assist without drawing attention to themselves.
Overwhelmed, I covered my lips. “The coffee? The grass?
One of the women in the group was the coffee. The grass? My friend makes a living by mowing lawns. said, “Why not?” since it would take him five minutes.
Still in shock, I shook my head. “They don’t even know me, all these people.”
“They don’t have to,” he stated plainly. “People just want to help sometimes.”
As I stared at him, still taking everything in, I had another idea.
“Who really covered the cost of the Chinese food?”
His face lit up with laughter. To be honest? I don’t know.
I blinked. “You don’t know, do you?”
“No. At first, I thought it was you, but when you were so perplexed, I realized it must have been sent by someone else.
That was unexpected. I believed his scheme had begun with that dinner.
He started by saying, “Whoever paid for it probably didn’t realize they were starting something bigger.” But make me a promise?
I waited while nodding.
“Do the same for someone else when you have the opportunity.”
I thought about what he said for a long time after that day.
Months later, I heard a distressed woman apologize to the clerk while I was waiting in line at the grocery store. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she struggled with her wallet when her card was denied.
I took the first step without thinking. “I have it.”
Her eyes widened as she faced me. “Oh no, I can’t allow you to—”
“Really,” I grinned and responded. “It’s alright.”
“Thank you,” she muttered, her eyes welling with tears.
I recalled the note from that evening as I gave my card to the cashier.
Life might surprise us in positive ways at times. Kindness will find its way back to you if you open your heart.
And I was certain that it had already done so.
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