Random acts of kindness and a fake mustache
I was enjoying a pizza with Ian and Lauren last night at Mac's Pizza Shack. We hadn't been 'out' for supper in quite a while and a visit to Bill and Erika's shack was in order. We like the pizza at Mac's and the kids really enjoy the small game room. A win-win.
During our meal I was picking up our mess and let the kids play their game. They each brought their own quarter. Within a few minutes Lauren came back excited to share she had nine tickets! A dash to the prize counter revealed she was one short for anything she really wanted. I told her we'd hold the ticket for next time. That conversation was quick and quiet. She was satisfied and I put the redemption slip in my pocket.
A few moments later she walked up to get another glass of water. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a young man step out of his booth and present Lauren with a slip of paper. Her eyes widened, I saw her lips say "thank you" and she ran back to our table in flash..
"Dad, that boy just gave me 59 tickets!" It made her day. I'll guess 'that boy' was almost a teenager. As I walked past their booth, I also thanked the boy and his dad. I could tell the gift was genuine because his 'you're welcome' was genuine, not forced.
We eventually redeemed all of our 68 tickets. Both Ian and Lauren selected monster teeth and fake mustaches. The 'stuff' they selected will be forgotten in a day or two. The mustache is already tearing apart and is becoming a part of the carpet. I'm certain the act of kindness will be remembered for a very long time.
I want to say 'thanks' again to the young man and his father for making our normally special visit to Mac's even better. Even though I have mustache parts stuck to my socks I have a bigger bounce in my step today. I'm certain Ian and Lauren will too :)
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jan 28, 2011 at 8:57 p.m.
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I hope they'll wear their colored fangs to the dentist!!!
Jan 28, 2011 at 9:24 a.m.
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Steve,
Thank you for the kind write-up. Bill and Erika are really trying to make a solid impact on Janesville's community. My father, Bill, is always talking to me about ways to give back while helping his business. I'm really proud of what Mac's has achieved up to this point. Thank you again.
Jan 28, 2011 at 9:16 a.m.
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hongkong..., are you a Scientologist?
Jan 28, 2011 at 9:15 a.m.
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hongkong...., what?!!!
Jan 28, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.
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That was so sweet. My Son and his girlfriend were eating at Perkins along with their infant twin daughters. A very nice lady told the watress she wanted to pay for their meal, because she said they could use the money for those cute babies. What a nice jester. She left before they could thank her. There are nice people out there!
Jan 28, 2011 at 8:39 a.m.
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The author writes ,
I was enjoying a pizza at macs pizza shack or We like the pizza at Mac's.
The reader chuckles,
Last time I ate there I thought to my self this is the opposite of good tasting pizza.
Jan 28, 2011 at 6:25 a.m.
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It gets me choked up when people see the glee in a kid's eyes when they receive a random act of kindness. Most kids do pay it forward because they know how it feels to receive the kindness. As adults, we have A LOT to learn from kids!!
Jan 27, 2011 at 7:39 p.m.
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Once again, G'fan spins it into his anti-religion view. You have one negative mind there, bub!
Jan 27, 2011 at 3:52 p.m.
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Steve, that's how they recruit people for the Mafia and Scientology.
Jan 27, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.
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We gave some away at Chuckie Cheeze- the look on the kids face was way better than the junk we could have won. My junk is another kids treasure.
Jan 27, 2011 at 10:06 a.m.
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Mario, Mario,
Wherefore art thou Mario?
Jan 27, 2011 at 8:19 a.m.
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This was worth reading.
Jan 27, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
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How sweet! You are correct when you say it will always be remembered. When my son was 10 or 11, he was at a convenience store and about 50 cents short for his purchase. A "big teenager" gave him a buck to pay for his goods, a deed he never forgot. I'm sure he has reciprocated and paid it forward.
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