Random Act of Kindness 1

I'm sure y'all know what a "Random Act of Kindness" is, so I don't feel it's necessary I give a thorough description. In my life I have been lucky enough to experience a few of these. Over the next few days I will tell you a few of them.

These are the ones I remember either because they are either recent, unforgettable, or "just because".

In high school I worked as a cashier for Super Kmart. Super K's are exactly like Wal-mart Superstores. And if you don't know what a Wal-mart Superstore is, your life is too sheltered and you need to get out more. I worked at Super K for about 2.5-3 years; basically, all through my last two years of HS and summers/holidays my first year of college. It was easy, decent pay, and quite entertaining at times.

As you can imagine the holiday season was CRAZY at Super K. We'd have thousands of people, with lines halfway around the store (or at least it felt like it). As a cashier, I was constantly busy. I remember one year on Christmas Eve Eve (and no, that is not a type-o it was Dec 23rd), I was working the cash only, 10 items or less line. It was NUTS. There were so many damn people. I tried my best to be cheerful and not show just how exhausted I really was.

That night, there was this black woman who came through my line and she just GUSHED about my nail polish. (I was going through a "gold nail polish" phase at the time.) Anyway. This was our interaction.
Her: Oh honey, that nail polish is great! Where'd you get it?
Me: Thank you. (Cue the big blushy grin) I got it here.
Her: You know what, I have this bottle at home. It doesn't look good on me, but with your skin tone - I just KNOW it would look great on you! I will bring to you. Do you work tomorrow?
Me: Unfortunately, yes, I do.
Her: I will bring it to you tomorrow. I don't know the exact color. It's one of the ones you get at Sally's. Only has a number on the bottom. But you'll love it. I know it.
Me: Yes, ma'am. Thank you. (And I'm thinkin'... Yeah, right lady! Sure, I'll see you tomorrow. As if! And, yes, I thought "as if". It WAS 1996, punk.)

And off she went. The whole exchange maybe took 5-7 minutes.

So, then the next day it's Christmas Eve. And every Mexi in the city of San Antonio is at Super K... (as is everyone else, I just like making Mexican/Super K jokes. Save me a seat in hell, k?) And I'm working one of the regular lines. It's INSANELY busy (notice, a slight more nuts than just CRAZY) but it helps the day go by faster. We are, at one point, the only game in town still open (lucky us). And through all of this, I'm trying very hard to stay pleasant when all I want to do is scream, "You stupid, fucking people! You are a dumbass who waited until the last g'damn minute to do your Christmas shopping. And now you're pissed we ran out of shit? IT'S FUCKIN' CHRISTMAS EVE! WHAT DO YOU THINK?!?!"

Anyway, at one point, a woman comes up to me w/a small, white plastic bag, smiled and said "Do you remember me?"

Of course, I didn't. And I'm sure she could tell by the "who are you?" look on my face, but I said "Yes" anyway.

She said "Here you go. Merry Christmas. I hope you like it." And hands me the bag and walks off.

Because I was so busy, I vaguely remember muttering "Thank you" before turning back to the customer I had (not so) patiently waiting for me to finish bagging their stuff. It wasn't until I finished with that customer before I was able to take a minute to look inside the small bag. And inside was a bottle of gold nail polish. It took me about 30 seconds for it to click on and remember who she was. I was so amazed, I remember I turned to the next customer I had and told them the whole story.

It was probably one of the coolest things that I've ever experienced. That bottle of nail polish was practically a prized possession of mine for at least a year after that. And every time I think of that woman and that story, I smile. She didn't even know me. She certainly didn't have to do that. And yet, she did. And on Christmas. You don't forget random acts of kindness like that. You just don't.