This I Believe Final

Last year, because of the actions of one man, I became a believer in random acts of kindness. It was early January and must have been one of the coldest days of the year. I stepped out of my car at a local gas station to fill up. As I stepped into the frosty air, I watched my breath crystalize with each exhale. Realizing the severity of the cold weather, I waddled over to the pump shivering with my arms tightly pressed against my chest. My fingers like icicles made it impossible to hold anything in my hands. As I retrieved my credit card from my wallet, I set the brown leather-bound billfold on top of the pump and retreated back to the warm haven of the drivers’ seat. The sudden wave of warmth that overcame me was all I could think about. I drove away from that gas station, not realizing the valuables that I had left behind. Sitting on top of the gas pump laid my wallet, with all my money, identification, and credit cards. I didn’t realize my mistake until I arrived home, but by the time I went back, it was gone. I was understandably distraught as I went home feeling defeated. I spent my night lying on my couch, trying to forget the terrible mistake I had made. But later that night, the rich knocking of the wood of my front door echoed through the house. I was taken back at first, it was almost 11:00 at night and I couldn’t imagine who would be at the door this time of night. When I opened the door, an older, weathered man stood on my porch. He held out the brown leather wallet I had lost in his wrinkled hand. “You must be Mike!” he said with a smile. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The very problem I had been worrying about all day had been negated by a stranger. He told me he had retrieved my address from my drivers’ license and thought he would come bring it by personally. I was astounded that this man would take the time out of his day to help someone he didn’t know. It would have been easier for him to simply take the money and leave the wallet where he found it. Instead, he took it upon himself to return it to me at my house. This gesture of kindness inspired me to always take an opportunity to help someone else. I always try and hold the door for people behind me, give people compliments, and let people go ahead of me in line if they are in a hurry. Simple gestures like these don’t take much effort, but can really impact someone’s day. The old man who appeared at my door that winter night made me a believer in random acts of kindness. Humans are imperfect beings: we make mistakes and encounter hardships. It is in these troubled times that the good in humanity is illustrated.In the words of the fabulist Aesop, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Sometimes all someone needs is a stranger to show they care.

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