DEAR ABBY: There are times when we all need a pick-me-up.
Yesterday I was having a terrible day. It just kept going downhill. I had spent several hours at my grandmother's nursing home, as I do every week. I enjoy being of service, but always leave with mixed emotions.
I made a quick stop at a department store to look for something new to wear. I found a beautiful pale blue dress that was a perfect fit. However, after I paid for it, I noticed that a section of the dress had separated due to some missing stitching. Just my luck. Then I remembered an alteration shop that had recently opened near my home and thought I'd give it a try.
The woman behind the counter admired the dress and assured me it would be no problem to fix. I sat for a few minutes while she mended my dress.
Well, she did more than that, Abby. That kind lady mended my heavy heart. When the dress was done, I grabbed my wallet to pay. She refused the money with a smile and said, "You pay next time" -- even though we both knew I wasn't a regular customer and there could very well never be a next time. Her act of kindness lifted me up when I needed a boost.
This is a reminder to people who may think that one simple act isn't all that monumental. I beg to differ. One simple gesture can turn someone's day around.
We can all do our part to make a gloomy day begin to shine by recognizing acts of kindness when we encounter them. There is a letter in the mail from me to the owners of that alteration shop, with a glowing report about their employee's generosity. -- PASS IT ON, FOLSOM, CALIF.
DEAR PASS IT ON: The lady in the alterations shop was more than a welcome ray of sunshine. She's an astute businesswoman with a flair for public relations. By making her gallant gesture, she assured that when you need alterations in the future, you'll consider her services. And I'll bet you have already mentioned her generosity to some of your friends and family.