Everyday Acts of Kinds is a section of Paperdolls.Today. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe from any of the sections, please follow Substack’s Instructions.
Last summer, I gave away free copies of Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots to any of our subscribers who shared a story of a random act of kindness they’d done. I'm thrilled that many have granted me permission to share their acts of kindness with you:
I was leaving my daughter's elementary school. I got to my car and notice a toddler walking alone on the sidewalk. I looked around and didn't see an adult anywhere. I was fairly certain that this little boy shouldn't be walking about by himself. I sat down near him and tried to talk to him. He was shy. I still couldn't see anyone, so I asked him if he had a cat or a dog. His eyes lit up and he said, "We have a tat!"
I told him how lucky he was to have a cat. I said that I we only had a dog.
I thought that if I were his parent, I'd really appreciate someone helping him not to run into the street--or worse.
He was still standing several feet away, I picked up my phone. I told him I was looking for a picture of my dog. I quickly texted my daughter's teacher. I texted that I was in the parking lot with a toddler who appeared to be lost.
Three minutes later, a frantic mother burst out the doors! She had a young boy in her arms.
Apparently, the kindergarten aged son got sick at school. The mother brought her toddler into the school, they were checking the kindergartener out of school, when the toddler wandered off. No one in the office, the nurse or this mother saw the toddler leave. They’d been racing up and down the halls.
They were ready to call the police.
While the mother and both sons were getting in their car, the little boy pointed at me and said, "Dawg!"
I walked over and showed him a picture of our Golden Retriever. I glanced at the mother and said, "I understand you have a cat."
She was still so embarrassed.
I smiled and said, "My sister lost her 3 year old once at a ball game. I'm just glad I was here."