At our April Franks & Beans Event, I had the opportunity to speak with two of our “regulars”—Megan Agnew and Claudia Cream.Now a wife, mom and surgical nurse, Megan told us that she started traveling solo when she was in her 20s, right after tragedy struck her life. Heartbroken from the death of her fiancé, Megan decided to get away. She hopped a tour bus to the Baltimore Inner Harbor, and upon departure from the bus, waited in line to get her hotel room assignment.
The passenger ahead of Megan seemed to have a complaint about just about everything. As the weary tour operated politely listened and tried to help, Megan motioned that she was going to give him more time with the complainer, and step out of line for a cup of coffee.
By the time she got back, the disgruntled woman was gone, and Megan handed over a second cup of coffee to the tour operator. He was pleasantly surprised and very much appreciated her gesture, especially because of what he’d just been through. He looked on his roster and noticed that Megan had the tiniest room in the hotel. He offered her a suite. Who wouldn’t say yes to that?! Megan accepted and enjoyed the rest of her trip.
Back to the present, Megan told Claudia and me that the coffee was merely a gesture because she felt bad for the guy. But to him, it was more than a gesture. It was a bit of grace in an otherwise long and exhausting day. It meant so much to him, that he showed his appreciation in a way that he was able. The coffee was no big deal to her. The suite was no big deal to him. But to each of them, it was a well-needed lift in their respective days.
Claudia summed it up perfectly, “It just goes to show you. A little bit of grace goes a long way.” And Megan and I agreed.
Question: Have you ever participated in a random act of kindness? Have you ever had one bestowed upon you? Please comment in the section below.
What a beautiful story and a reminder to treat others as we wished they’d treat us
Thank you so much, Marie. That is exactly what Megan was trying to express when she told me her story.
I had a random act of kindness bestowed upon me, by the universe! I was on a business trip to which I was supposed to fly in and out the same day. I had a baby at home. The client’s wife had strep throat so he wanted to spend the day with her at home and have me stay an extra day. I was panicked but felt I didn’t have a choice. I was taken to a mall by another employee to buy essentials and I told my husband. The next day driving the rental car
to the airport I got
lost and was panicked–until I came across one of the most breathtaking vistas I’ve ever seen. It immediately calmed me down and I found my way to the airport. Upon arriving late to the gate,
I discovered my seat had been given away. However, they had an opening in first class! The whole stressful trip melted away in my one and only first class trip!
My random act of kindness was taking in a friend and her special needs son, for 2
months, after they experienced domestic violence. This experience not only drew us
much closer to become friends for life, but it taught my family so much more and was a true blessing for us.
What a rollercoaster you were on during that business trip! But I am do glad that all’s well that ended well, considering you got to see that spectacular sky art, topped off with a seat in first class!
Often when I go with my Girlfiends to girls week in N Wildwood we pay for the car behind us crossing the bridge to Cape May.
Also at lunch with my girlfriends we all chipped in & anonymously paid for lunch for a table of 6 soldiers.
As for receiving acts of kindness, recently my husband has been ill & several times friends & family have showed up with dinner!
Terry, thank you so much for sharing. What a nice idea it was for you and your friends to pay for the soldiers’ dinners. And how wonderful of your friends to take care of you and your husband with surprise dinners. As they say, “what goes around comes around!”