A Random Act of Kindness, For a Soldier He Never Met...

Today something happened to me that I can hardly believe.  Small, in it's own way, yet it meant more to me than I can ever say.

We have a gentleman about my age that comes in to the Merc every once in a while.  A nice enough man, yet rather quiet and a bit grumpy looking most often.  Today he came in and went into the back room and sat down.  I took him his water and asked if he wanted some lunch.  He said he wouldn't be eating and sat and read.  I went back a bit later and noticed a box he had laying on the table.  In it was a brand new motorized helicopter.  I said, "You bought a new toy!" and he responded saying that he thought he could work it since it only required that you be 14+ to run it.

We started talking about it and I told him that I watch a show called "Inside Combat Rescue" on the National Geographic channel.  It's one of the shows I can't bring myself to watch yet because Adam and I always watched it together.  I told him about the medics on the show and how they fly those remote controlled helicopters in the building where they work when they have down time.  I mentioned that I have a son in Afghanistan and that I had thought, while watching that show, about sending one to him for HIS down time.

He looked and me and scooted the box across the table.  "Send him this one."

I about died.  First off, that hadn't crossed my mind.  "Oh no!  I can't do that."

"Really, send him this one."

I told him how nice that was, but that I could buy one and send it to Jake.

He picked up the box and handed it to me.  "Really, I want you to have this one to send to your son.  Tell him Thank You."

Wow.  I took the box and told him how much I appreciated it.  I walked away thinking what that had done for me.  I've never had anyone do something like that.  He didn't really know me.  He doesn't know my son. Yet he touched me in a way I will always remember.

As he got ready to leave, I walked up to him and said, "I want you to know that I will never forget what you did today."

He smiled and again said, "Just tell him thank you."

I paid for his coffee and muffin, it was the least I could do.  I will send the helicopter and a letter explaining how this all happened to Jake this week.  I know Jake, he'll leave this act of kindness for other soldiers to enjoy when he comes home in October.

This wonderful man will never know how he affected me today.  A random act of kindness, for a soldier he has never met.  Thank you.  Thank you for letting me know that my son and the other soldiers, mean as much to you as they do to me.