Encounter at FedEx

 

After several wrong turns I found the FedEx store in downtown Spokane. I took a metered parking spot around the corner from the store. I approached the blinking meter and inserted my credit card, “Card not accepted.” I tried another card, same message. I reinserted the first card, flipping it over, SAME MESSAGE! I tried it with the second card, no success! Giving up I rushed inside to see if I could find someone who would help me. Everyone in the store seemed occupied. I finally approached a young man making copies and explained my situation, and asked. “Can you help me figure out how to use my credit card in that meter?” I pictured a $15.00 parking ticket in my future for a $1.29, meter fee. He reached into his pocket and produced a quarter. “This will give you 12 minutes,” he said. I gratefully accepted the quarter, rushed outside and boom, 13 minutes appeared on the screen. I dug into my purse and pulled out a dollar bill and offered to get change and return his quarter. He smiled, shook his head and said, “If we can’t help our neighbors, we are in pretty sad shape.” His small kindness brightened my day in a big way. I felt the glow of that unexpected kindness for the rest of the day. In fact, it has been three days and I still feel the glow. What a ripple effect small kindnesses have. I have a renewed sense of looking for opportunities to make a difference for others. The gift truly does go on!