I work from home. We live in an old rural-looking neighborhood where all of the mailboxes for houses on both sides of the street are on the side that is across the street from our house. Near the mailboxes a house is being built. Much of the work appears to be being done by day laborers.
When I went to put out the mail this morning, I noticed a car parked in front of my house with a young girl perhaps 8-10 years of age sitting in the backseat. I smiled to her when I walked back toward my house and got a beautiful friendly smile in return. Her face lit up.
She appears to be the daughter of one of the day workers and was most likely out of school for the Columbus Day Holiday. She is clearly in no danger as her father is keeping an attentive eye on her from across the street and the weather is beautiful. The windows are open and the temperatures are perfect so that there is no chance of her being in a car that is heating up inside to anywhere near unsafe levels.
But I felt bad for the daughter and for her father. She is too young to leave home alone. And the construction site is way too dangerous for her to be across the street with him. So, he appears to have done the best he could for her in a bad situation.
If I was a woman, I’d have talked to the father and invited the girl to play in our yard, perhaps even with our dogs if he approved and if she liked.
But I am not a woman. I am a man and a father of a girl, and if I was that man and my daughter was the one in the car at that young age, I would be very concerned about a strange man being in any way attentive to her. And there is no way I’d want the man asking if my daughter could play in his yard.
But seeing that girl sitting alone in that car all morning—and who would probably be there all day–saddened me. I wanted to find some way to help relieve her boredom, to cheer her up, and to let her know that she is important, and that other people care for her well-being too.
It occurred to me that my daughter, who just turned 23, was home and that we had a frosty bottle of root beer in our fridge. I asked her if she’d be willing to take it out to the girl and offer it to her while it was still unopened–that way the father and the girl could be assured that its contents hadn’t been tampered with. I suggested she bring a bottle opener and if the girl accepted the root beer to please open it for her so the dad could see what was going on.
My daughter agreed, and the girl accepted the soda. As this was going on I noticed that the girl’s father, while still continuing to work, moved to the edge of the construction site nearest his daughter and watched without appearing to do so. It pleased me greatly to see how much he cared for his daughter and how carefully he protected her.
I was also happy that a Dad and his daughter were able to find a way to show kindness to a daughter in front of her Dad in a non-threatening way.
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
This is so beautiful…ah! You have warmed my heart gladly today…there is still good in the world…though it often is very hard to see.
you did something so simple yet so kindly profound. My heart went out to the dad and daughter…so painful that our world is so sick it’s so hard to show kindness these days.
I am glad you found a way around this…i am very glad you shared this, and i got to read it. God bless you sir! Thank you very much
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Boomie.
Russ
good for you, and for your daughter. That tale makes me smile.
Thank you, Bill.
Russ
What a sweet and touching story, Russ. And such a thoughtful way to show kindness. And you are doing such a wonderful job of showing your own daughter simple but powerful ways to be kind.
Cathy
I appreciate your feedback, Cathy. Thank you.
Russ
You do have to be so careful now to ensure your actions are kind and honest and non-threatening…but it was handled beautifully….Diane
Thank you, Diane, for your kind note.
Russ
You’re a good man Russ!
Thank you! I believe that if my actions resonate in a positive way with people it is because those folks’ spirits are aligned in a positive way as mine. That’s a long-winded way of saying that I believe you are a good person too!
Russ
🙂 I hope so
I know so. The fact that you hope so indicates that a focus for you is to be a good person– rather than focusing only on yourself–and to me that proves it.
Russ
🙂
So glad you shared this story with us. It shows the beauty and love between two sets of fathers and daughers. Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story!
Thank you for your comments. I hesitated to share the story for two reasons. The first is that after all it was only a bottle of root beer, and (other than my songwriting) I tend to be much more comfortable writing about what wonderful things others do than to write something that essentially is a “look at the good deed I did” piece. If I’m writing about myself it is more often about the goofy things I so often do. For some reason, I make an exception with my songs. I think it is because they too are pieces of my heart and I want to share them.
Russ
No, don’t feel that way. I did not, nor I’m sure did anyone else, take it as a “look what I did” post. It just shows to me that even the small things can make someone’s day and make this world a better place. And I’m sure this act of kindness had an impact on the other father and daughter and they could pay it forward as well. Acts of kindness snowball in a good way. So glad you shared.
I appreciate the extra time you took to send your follow-up message. Thank you!
I too believe in the snowball effect of kindness.
Russ
What a wonderful story, Russ! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Thank you, my friend!
Russ
Russ. I love this…your kindred parallel of father and daughter and the compassion for the situation, and thoughtful response for how to best be a help to both the young girl and keep her father reassured!
I have not “known” you online for long, Bonnie, but I have enjoyed the experience. Thank you!
Russ
Thanks so much Russ. Stop by my blog today if you have a minute, there is something there for you.
Thank you for honoring me with the Inpiring Blogger Award, Bonnie! I can see why your wonderful blog has been awarded with it twice! For those of you who haven’t yet seen Bonnie’s blog, I highly recommend it. I’ll share her URL shortly.
Russ
Check out: http://paperkeeper.wordpress.com/
Russ
Thanks so much Russ 🙂
This was so lovely to read Russ. You are a good man.
Thank you. What I said to artsifrtsy above applies equally to you and to all who have commented regarding this post. I appreciate having you, and you all, in my life.
Russ
Thank you 🙂
I like this post – very heartwarming. And it reaffirms my belief that the little things do matter – you and your daughter have been so awesome. Thumbs up!
Thank you. Your comments warm my heart too!
Russ
♥ a kind gesture ♥ your heart shows again ~
As does yours, my friend. Thank you!
Russ
♥
You got such a kind heart Russ. I’m sure the girl really loved the soda. You solved it in a excellent manner. So, you and Bill got similar experience. What a world we live in, both very kind and scary (for parents)!
Thank you for your kind comment. I suspect that throughout history it has always paid to be as vigilant a parent as I know that you are.
Russ
It is always nice to read about what nice things others are doing. I am sure that young girl will forever remember the root beer and the kindness of strangers and offer hope to dad that there are still kind people left in the world. It did warm my heart in reading about the love dad had for his daughter and the compassion you have for strangers. Blessings – Patty
Thank you, Patty. I too love to hear stories that warm my heart, make me feel more connected, and inspire me. Thank you for being one of the people who provide such gifts to me. Blessings to you, my friend.
Russ
awe shucks…you do have a way to make me blush! ;D God’s blessings to you too my brother in Christ.
This story just made me smile. Thanks for sharing it.
Glad to hear. You make the world a better place when you smile.
Russ