There is a piece of paper taped to my bathroom mirror, dingy, unprepossessing, cheap quality and patently dreary. It doesn’t exhort me to improve my diet, self-esteem, or financial situation, yet it bears a profound message that greets me daily and raises my spirits. It is a receipt tape, actually a CVS Pharmacy receipt. So why such a prominent place to be looked at frequently? There is of course a story behind it, one that will lift your heart as it did for me and restore your faith in human nature.
Nov. 7, Election Day, I went to CVS Pharmacy in Littleton to stock up on bandages and other paraphernalia to dress a wound. I took my basket up to the pick-up counter and asked for the prescription I’d ordered. In the line next to me was a young woman (30- to 40-ish) in a red sweater and black tights. She had an open, fresh-faced countenance and we exchanged pleasant looks. My prescription label was stuck in the computer (don’t ask!) so I agreed to go off and shop ’til it was retrieved. I left my purchases with the pharmacist to be picked up on my return. As I was putting away my wallet, my neighbor said, “Watch out. You may lose your credit card: It’s sticking out.” I thanked her and added, “ I am so lucky: So many nice, wonderful people out there looking out for me. I wonder why?”
She said, “Because you’re so cute!”
“Thanks, but I’ll take that with a very big pinch of salt,” I rejoined.
We laughed, and so began good-natured banter—especially about my Scottish accent. As I left, I pressed her arm to let her know that I had enjoyed our brief encounter.
I returned later and picked up my prescription. “I haven’t paid for this bag of stuff,” I said.
“Yes,” said the pharmacist, “it is paid for. That lady paid for it. She said it was a random act of kindness.” She had written “A Random Act of Kindness” on the back of the receipt.
I was speechless…absolutely!…totally amazed. Chills ran up and down my spine. So there are people of this caliber: caring, loving, holding to a higher standard, and completely unselfish. Thank you, God. You have restored my faith in humanity.
Irene Mannix
Slough Road
