Photo Credit: Ian Sane via Compfight cc
Last night, it suddenly hit me that I hadn’t used my Starbucks birthday reward yet. It was about to expire today. I usually don’t stop at Starbucks on a regular basis, definitely not during my work week. It’s a special treat that I allow myself when I am traveling or meeting up with friends. Although I like the idea, you won’t find me randomly by myself at a Starbucks somewhere. I like my couch at home way too much and besides, Starbucks is, if we’re honest, quite expensive. I can make make a good cup of coffee at home.
Since I didn’t want to let the birthday reward go unused, I decided to stop at Starbucks on my way to work. It didn’t really make sense, as we always make our own coffee at the office, but why would I ‘waste’ a $4-5 beverage when I can get it for free for my birthday?
I stopped at the small Starbucks which is only a couple of blocks from my apartment. When I got out of a car I saw a homeless person with a sign sitting on the sidewalk in front of the coffeeshop. This is not uncommon in Midtown. I run into homeless people frequently, sometimes have a short conversation with them; hardly ever do I give them money.
I went inside, ordered my grande vanilla latte and scanned my “Gold Card” on my Starbucks App to claim my reward. When I received the drink, I automatically wrapped my hands around the warm paper cup, as it was a bit chilly out this morning and my hands were cold.
As I left the coffeeshop, I had to pass the homeless person with the sign again. I glanced down to read what it said. “Female vet, struggling to get by.”
I don’t know if it was the fact that the person was female (I don’t run into female homeless people nearly as much) or the fact that she was a vet and looked tired and cold, but not disheveled, just in need. I didn’t even think twice and offered her my vanilla latte. Her eyes lit up when she looked up at me and she accepted the steaming hot beverage with a smile of gratitude and surprise and whispered a “Thank you and God bless you”.
I smiled back at her, then got in the car and she waved me goodbye when I drove off.
I know it was just a small gesture. I know it’s not making a big impact on the world or anything, but knowing that I made this lady’s morning by offering her a hot cup of coffee – which most of us take for granted – kinda made my day.
It’s the little things that we can do on a daily basis that do make a difference, if only in this one person’s life. Don’t let the chain of love end with you.
Kat
April 17, 2013 at 9:50 amThat was very sweet of you. :) And I completely agree, for you it was probably “just a little gesture” but to her it meant SO MUCH. Kindness in our everyday lives is so important, I forget that sometimes. And then a stranger holds the subway doors open for me or tells me I dropped my scarf or something, and it makes me SO happy, and I want to pass it on. So yes, chain of love is a very fitting title for this. :)
Heike
April 17, 2013 at 10:35 amThat was very kind and sweet.
We sometimes give our left overs from a night out at a restaurant to a homeless person!
Thinks like that DO make a difference! At least for that person in that moment! It shows that you care!
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
April 17, 2013 at 11:30 amBeautiful post. Beautiful sentiment. Beautiful you, San. Really.
Also, is it bad that when you wrote “female vet,” I thought she was a veterinarian and surprised she was also homeless? I’m hopeless. ha.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
April 17, 2013 at 3:08 pmAw, I love this! I think it is so important to find little ways to pay kindness forward. I have been the recipient of so much kindless lately, I def feel like I especially need to be paying it forward!
Ti
April 17, 2013 at 8:06 pmI’s always wanted to make little care packages to store in the car to hand out to homeless folks I encounter. There aren’t many where I currently reside, but if I move back to socal – it is happening. Love this and you.
Kate @ Suburban Sweetheart
April 17, 2013 at 8:22 pmI’m so glad you did this. And I wish people would do this kind of thing more often.
Nadine
April 18, 2013 at 2:55 amI totally agree – that was very sweet and thoughtful of you! I mean, it didn’t cost you a dime and you made the lady happy, what’s more to ask for?
With all the buzz happening in everyone’s life and in everyday life, I guess one tends to forget what it means to make others happy with little gestures like that. :)
Thanks for the reminder.
xo.
lauryn
April 18, 2013 at 5:32 amLOVE this San! You are such a beautiful person, inside and out.
Chrissy
April 18, 2013 at 6:02 amSo very sweet of you! xxx
V.
April 18, 2013 at 7:35 amHow touching, your post made me all teary-eyed. That was such a sweet gesture of you. It is probably just a tiny drop in an ocean but I am sure it meant a lot to her.
The kindness of strangers can be so heart-warming.
(Also, I second Nilsa’s comment about thinking she was a veterinarian, duh!)
katelin
April 18, 2013 at 4:17 pmabsolutely love this San. so touching and it’s so easy to forget that a simple gesture can have a big impact on someone.
Tanja
April 19, 2013 at 11:04 amYou are truly a great person! Love it!
But even more I love Ti’s idea. I always give something…..most of the time a few bucks but I totally love the idea of having little care packages ready in the car! Will definitely jump on that train!
terra
April 22, 2013 at 11:06 amThe good things in life are so often the little things and I’m sure you made her day, if not her whole week, by your small gesture of kindness.
Irene
April 27, 2013 at 12:38 pmThat is so wonderful, I will think about it next time I see a homeless person.
I have read a few things like that on Facebook lately. People posted about “pre”-buying coffee at certain coffeeshops and homeless people can come in and ask for a “free” coffee and I also read how someone can make those little care packs for homeless people to keep in the car.