(A couple with a five- or six-year-old daughter is browsing in my bookstore. After checking out the children’s books for a bit, the girl comes up to my desk.)

Girl: “I like your music. It’s catchy.”

(This may have been the first time the Beethoven String Quartets were described as “catchy”, but you have great taste, little girl!)

Years ago, my dad and brother went to Mexico. One day, they were in the nearest town for supplies when my dad ran into a woman in the grocery store who gave him a recommendation on mango juice. They chatted for a bit, then said their goodbyes. Later, they were in the parking lot, and the woman walked by. She noticed his license plate, and they discovered that they were from the same area of islands in Canada, though she had been living in Mexico for several years. So they exchanged contact information, and my family returned to camp.

A couple weeks later, my brother was surfing on his short-board. During a wipeout, his board went between his legs, and the fin sliced his calf rather deeply. Someone in camp bandaged his leg, while another fetched Dad from out in the water. Dad threw his mattress into the back of the truck, loaded up my brother, and drove to Guerrero Negro as fast as he could (which couldn’t have been at all pleasant for my brother, considering it’s a one- to two-hour trip, 30 minutes of which on a very bumpy dirt road).

Eventually they reached town and got him to a doctor, at which point Dad called the woman he’d met at the store to help him with translating. When she arrived, all the work had been done, and Dad wasn’t sure what to do about payment. He had her ask about it, and according to her, the doctor laughed and asked, “We charge for this?”

Afterwards, my dad returned to camp while my brother stayed with the woman and her family, since it seemed cruel to have him lying on the beach, watching everyone else in the water, doing what he couldn’t. He was with them for a month, and made good friends with the daughter, who was about our age.

Dad stayed in touch with them over the years, and a decade later, I went down with him and got to meet them. When I mentioned the story to the daughter, she was really surprised about how it happened. Apparently, my brother told her he was attacked by a shark, and she believed it right up until I told her otherwise.

(It is about seven pm and I have just walked into a museum in NYC that has my favorite painting in it. I did not know this previously, and found out after spending the day with my parents at another museum. We are tired, weary, and a tad short on funds. I approach the ticket desk to see how much it will be for one student and two seniors to enter.)

Employee: “Senior tickets are $17 each and students are $12.”

Me: *sullenly turns to my parents, who are sitting down*

Mom: “You go, we will sit here.”

Me: *turns to employee* “One student, please.”

Employee: *accepts my payment and looks thoughtful* “You know, I get free passes that I don’t use. Why don’t you all go?” *hands me three tickets*

Me: *tearfully and excitedly* “Thank you so much!”

(This was about five years ago, but I’ve never forgotten the act of kindness. I was able to see that painting with my family and take a photo with it. We really enjoyed the museum, all thanks to a kind employee!)

This story is part of our “Not Getting Art” Roundup!

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Facebook is semi-allowed at my workplace, and three of my Facebook friends are on the city council. Of those three, one also owns a pub in town.

I happen to be extremely sensitive to smells. It was a Sunday, and only two staff were on duty, a librarian and myself, so we couldn’t take breaks. I had just finished helping a super heavy smoker and was extremely sick to my stomach. After 15 minutes of terrible nausea, I posted a message to Facebook asking if someone would bring me a ginger ale, as I couldn’t leave the building and didn’t have time to call home between patrons.

Within a half hour, my councilman friend had the cooks at his pub make me homemade potato chips and brought me, not one, but two bottles of ginger ale, and two bottles of ginger beer (non-alcoholic). He took time out of his workday to help me not spend my workday throwing up.  

It’s not every person who takes time out for others, and especially not every politician.

(The state where I live is a part of the US where many Irish and Scottish immigrants settled in the 19th and 20th centuries. You’ll find a lot of town names and people’s last names similar to names in those countries. I am on my way to an appointment and have some extra time, so I stop by a coffee shop for a few minutes. I have my coffee and a book, sitting at a little table by myself, when a man who looks to be in his late 60’s or early 70’s comes over with a mug of tea and sits down across from me.)

Older Man: “I hope that’s a good book you’re reading.” *his tone is perfectly friendly, not creepy or intrusive*

Me: *smiles* “It is! It’s a biography of JFK’s life before he became president.”

Older Man: “Excellent! You know he was Irish, I’m sure.”

Me: “Yes, the book talks about his family background quite a bit.”

Older Man: “I happen to be Irish myself!” *he introduces himself, and he does have a very well-known Irish last name* “My grandparents came through Ellis Island not long after they were married.”

Me: “That’s great! My great-grandmother came here from Scotland with her family when she was a little girl.”

(We have a nice chat about family history, and he tells me about a business he used to own in the area. Soon though, I have to leave for my appointment.)

Older Man: “It was very nice talking with you, young lady! I wish you the best in your endeavors.”

Me: “Thank you, very much! It was nice talking with you too.” *I stand up to leave and he shakes my hand*

Older Man: “Now, you remember, if you’re ever having a bad time, or you need cheering up, just look under the tables. That’s where the leprechauns are hiding!”

(He walked out of the cafe before I could respond. The funny thing is, since then, if I have a bad day, sometimes I’ll catch myself peeking under tables. Just in case!)