My Son Learned a Lesson in Kindness for His Birthday

On Saturday, we celebrated my son's 9th birthday.  Nine years, it doesn't seem like that is possible.  We had a fun little birthday for him at one of our local donut places.  It was a fun party, however, that fun party turned into a very teachable moment of kindness.

The kids were sitting around a table covered in balloons and enjoying their chocolate milk and donut holes, they were laughing and telling jokes and stories.  A man approached me and the man was obviously homeless.  He had been in a booth enjoying a hot cup of coffee.  The morning was frigid and it had snowed the night before.  His shopping cart of stuff sat right outside the door.  When he came up to me he simply asked who the birthday boy was, and I pointed at E. and said "that young man right there sir."  The man proceeded to walk up to my son and wish him a happy birthday and handed him a $10 bill.  My son stunned said thank you.  I stopped the man and told him thank you so much for your kindness, but that isn't necessary.  He said it was his pleasure.  I thanked him again and said "may God Bless you sir for your kindness."  Then as quickly as he came in he disappeared from the place.

We went on with the party and had our celebration.  Later on that day my son asked me, "Momma, was that man homeless."  I said, "Yes, I believe so."  E. replied, "I feel bad, he has no home and he gave me, $10."  I said, "don't feel bad, that man wanted to wish you a happy birthday.  He wanted to bless you.  You should feel special, not bad."

I went onto explain to him that's why we need to give back to the community.  There are people who don't have homes, there are people that are sick, and so much more.

It was a great day and that man made a little boy's day, by his kindness.  A man who pretty much had nothing, was able to bless a child who probably has way more than he needs.  It wasn't that $10 bill that blessed him, it was the lesson.