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I’m learning to share, accept acts of kindnessI’m learning to share, accept acts of kindness

Farmhouse Window: Even the little things can make someone’s day a little brighter.

Carol Ann Gregg

January 16, 2025

2 Min Read
A bouquet of roses in a vase
BE KIND: You don’t need to spend a lot of money to share kindness, but a nice bouquet of roses for someone you love is good. Carol Ann Gregg

During the busy days before Christmas, my husband and I were getting a quick supper at a local fast-food restaurant. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a woman hurrying toward the counter.

She squeezed past my husband’s shoulder and pushed her credit card into the box on the counter. When my husband got money out of his wallet, the woman said, “I’ve already paid,” as she pointed to the credit card in the machine.

She then gave my husband a hug and wished us both happy holidays. She then scurried back to the booth where her husband had been watching.

She brightened our day, and we have shared that story several times.

Random acts of kindness don’t require spending money. Since I started using a cane, I have been the recipient of many acts of kindness from people who have held the door for me in a store or restaurant. Many of these people were children. It is nice to see their parents watch as their child shows kindness to a stranger.

One of my college friends and I recently talked about how we respond to someone offering to help us. She recalled leaving the supermarket with several bags of groceries one time when a young man asked if he could help her.

With the usual response, “I can get it,” she headed for her car. By the time she got to the car, she wished she had taken the young man up on his offer.

Related:Is your farm ready when emergency strikes?

Why don’t we want to let people help us? Is it pride? Independence? A bad habit?

Accepting random acts of kindness is as important as giving them. Learning to be gracious and willing to accept others’ kindness needs to be part of growing old.

Just like no one taught us how to be good parents, no one has provided us with instructions on how to grow old gracefully. Sometimes it is not easy.

Some time ago, a friend of mine mentioned that her husband’s birthday was coming up and that they quit giving each other cards for special occasions. I thought that was very sad. Taking a few minutes to find an appropriate card for your special someone is good for you, as well as your loved one.

These may not be random acts of kindness, but they are acts of kindness that let your special person know you still care, even though you may have spent many years together.

So, just remember that. And don’t forget, Valentine’s Day is almost here!

Gregg writes from western Pennsylvania. She is the Pennsylvania 2019 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture and is a past president of American Agri-Women.

About the Author

Carol Ann Gregg

Carol Ann Gregg writes from western Pennsylvania. She is the Pennsylvania 2019 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture and is a past president of American Agri-Women.

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