My friend, Karen Hall, and I were wandering around the Moreno Valley Mall and began observing how people were interacting with each other during this stressful and busy time.

On this day, we found for the most part, people were trying to be courteous and thoughtful even in the chaos of Holiday shopping.

Later that night, I accidentally bumped into a lady with her arms full of packages.  She was also trying to wrangle the five kids she had with her.  After helping her pick up the items that fell from one bag,  I apologized  for causing her more difficulty on her shopping adventure.  She was so sweet.  She gave me a hug and, told me not to worry about.  She went on to share that two of her kids had accidentally mowed down a display stand in a department store, and the store clerk was so kind to her as she tried to fix the chaos her little ones had created.  I asked if I could interview her on camera to share her personal experience, but she did not want to be photographed or recorded, She said she was not comfortable with her appearance that day.  Trying to shop in a crowded mall with five kids can be a harrowing experience and she was tired.

The long story made short: The kindness of the store clerk who assisted her after the kids had so kindly tackled a display stand that sent t-shirts and sweaters flying in every direction, changed her attitude for the day.  So, after I accidentally tried to knock the sweet lady off her feet, she said not to worry about.  She wanted to share the kindness she had just received from the store clerk.

You never know when one kind word or act can change the course of someone's day.  Please, thank you and I'm sorry are the most important, and often least used words.

She wished me a Merry Christmas and gave me a hug.  It is now my turn to repay the kindness.

Happy Holidays!