6/11/2001

The other day I was coming back home from my Japanese lesson and waiting at the bus stop. I was listening to some music and minding my own business as usual. Then an old woman came to sit down next to me. I moved over a little bit to give her some extra room on the bench because sometimes people seem a little scared of me. This old lady was eating some snacks and turned to me and offered me some of them. She didn't say a word, just offered me some of what she was eating. Now I've never been one to accept things from strangers, but I was so surprised and happy that she did it that I couldn't resist. I was also starving at that time so my primal instincts kind of took over.

I said my sumimasens and my arigatou gozaimasu's (different ways to say thank you), but she didn't respond. She just continued to sit down eating quietly. It was one of the strangest encounters I've had, but it made me happy for some reason. It was on of the simple kindnesses in this world that make it such a better place, but are rarely seen.

When I got on my bus, the old woman just sat there quietly, still eating, waiting patiently for her bus to arrive. I don't know if she knew how much of an impact she had on my day, but from the bus I just watched her, thanking her for what she did in my heart.