Do unto others – Pleasanton Express

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule we all learned in grade school and church when we were young.

Honestly, I thought this rule died as I got older, and do you blame me?

I was surprised to learn that this rule still applies to our world today when an anonymous stranger paid for my familys breakfast this past Saturday.

After my nieces youth basketball game, my sisters, nieces, nephew and I went to eat breakfast at a local restaurant in Charlotte. Afterwards, we jokingly argued, as we always do, over who was going to pay the tab. Its rare when we are all together like this, so when we are, we love to take turns picking up the tab. When it was agreed, with some hesitation by all, my second oldest sister, Tammie, sent my niece to pay for our meal. I went with her as it was her first time paying at a restaurant. However, to our surprise, the cashier told us our meal was already paid for. We were both so confused as no one from our table had gone up to pay yet. My niece and I did a double take then went back to our table. With confusion, we explained to my sisters that our meal had been paid for. Our eldest sister, Rosie, was so shocked, as were all of us, but was scared this was a trick of some sort. No one has EVER paid forward such kindness to our family like this before. We never expect it or look for it, either. I went back to the register and attempted to pay one more time.

Did you mean us? I asked the lady, thinking she was talking to the gentlemen who was behind us the first time around.

Yes, your check has already been paid for, she answered.

Once again, I went back to our table in confusion. We all pondered for 10 minutes, afraid to leave the restaurant without paying. One last time, I went back up to the cashier and politely asked her who specifically paid for our meal, because it wasnt any of us. I explained we didnt want to leave without being sure, but would also like to personally thank this kind stranger.

Like I said, this never happens to our family.

She told me I could not tell yall, but your tab is taken care of. Yall have a nice day, she said again with a smile as she walked away.

I went back to our table to relay the message. With hesitation still, we exited the restaurant.

I tell you this story in hopes that you, too, will realize that there is still good out there in this world. If we only do unto others as we would have them do unto us, our world just might be a better place to live, work, play and love.

With February being kindness month, I challenge you to do a small act of kindness to a stranger the next time you are out and about: hold a door open, say thank you, turn off your bright lights when approaching another vehicle at night, wave at someone as you pass by them or if they let you into a lane, pay for a strangers meal, etc. These acts of selflessness go a long way and just might make someones day.

So, to the kind stranger who paid for my familys breakfast on Saturday at Galindos in Charlotte thank you. You really made our day.

REBECCA PESQUEDA is the News Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may reach her at rpesqueda@pleasantonexpress.com

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Do unto others - Pleasanton Express