this morning as i sat in a half fog, waiting in the parking lot for my turn to get into the line for starbucks, a woman motioned to me from her car. i couldn’t tell exactly what she was asking: maybe it was “are you in line?” obviously i was. i was sitting there before she even pulled up in her shiny lexus. or was it “can i go in front of you?” that had to be it. either way, there was a lot of hand motioning and she seemed frantic. i had my dog on my lap, my favorite morning radio on, and the heat of the car felt so good, i kind of never wanted this little errand to end. so i just nodded and mumbled to myself “i don’t know what the hell you’re saying, but sure.” she waved and smiled frantically and cut in front of me. that solved that mystery.
slowly but surely, i worked my way into the line behind her and made my order. “we’ll have your total at the window” he said, but i already know it’s going to be $5.46. i reach in my purse, no debit card. once you’re in that line, there’s no bailing. great.
i find a crumpled up five dollar bill. that’s going to almost cut it, but i’m pretty sure starbucks isn’t really a “sure, that’s close enough” kind of company. i prepare myself for humiliation and a coffeeless ride back home.
i pull forward.
“the lady in front of you was so happy you let her cut in front of you, she purchased your drink”.
speechless.
now i want to chase after her and kiss her on the lips, but it’s too late. she has no idea how amazing that gesture was. so i give the kid the five and make my way uncoffeeless home thinking about the impact of small, surprising gestures. the kind of gestures that you don’t get to see the response and you don’t get to be thanked. those kind are the real deal. i have to pay it forward.
to my angel in the shiny lexus with the crazy flailing arms, i love you.
