DEAR ABBY: I am writing about a random act of kindness. Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with our two small children. He's in the Army and wore his uniform because he had gotten off late and he didn't want to keep the kids from eating while he changed.
While we waited for our meal to be served, our waiter came to us and said it was our "lucky night." The couple seated next to us was paying for the entire meal. Things like this have happened to my husband before -- with small lunches or drinks -- but never something as large as dinner for four. The gesture was touching and thoughtful, and made more special by the fact that it was the woman's birthday. That she thought of someone else on "her" day made me smile.
We only got the gentleman's name -- it was Russell, like our son's -- but not hers. We want to express our gratitude to her. And we hope her birthday was as delightful as our evening was, thanks to her. -- TOUCHED BY HER KINDNESS IN FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZ.
DEAR TOUCHED: I'm sure it was. Happy people like to spread the joy around. And thank you for reminding me and my readers how much an expression of gratitude to our members of the military can mean to those who receive one.