Thankful

It's the first day of November and I am reminded that we have so many things to be thankful for. Today, while I was out with my family, a stranger treated us to a free lunch. We were actually having a pretty horrible experience... long wait to order... long wait to get food... food that comes is incorrect... little attention... you get the picture.

While my husband and I stewed about it - sitting for an hour and half with hungry kids in uncomfortable seats is not fun - a nice gentleman approached our table and insisted on paying for our lunch, slipping some money under my husband's plate. It was the oddest and most wonderful thing we have experienced in a long time.

We suddenly felt awkward about accepting the kind gesture, amazed by our renewed faith in people, conflicted in our annoyance with the restaurant staff... One generous stranger made our day with one kind gesture. It really had nothing to do with the money. It was the ease of his generosity, his lack of need for acknowledgement and the influence that the gesture had on us.

This month I hope to make a point of telling me kids each day what I'm thankful for. I often go through this exercise every night before I fall asleep - but I've always kept it to myself. I hope to have my kids do the same.

Tonight I am thankful, not only for generous strangers, but for that stranger's timing.