On a trip to California, my family stopped for lunch. As we walked toward the entrance to the restaurant, a man, with a beard and dirty hair, jumped up from a bench outside the restaurant and opened the door for us.Regardless of his , he greeted us in a friendly way.
Once inside, my daughters whispered, "Mom, he . " After we ordered our lunch, I explained, telling the kids to look the dirt. We then watched other customers approach the restaurant but many him. Seeing this rudeness truly upset me. The day I became a mother, I had determined to set a good to my children. Yet sometimes when things didn't go right, being a good example was . When our meal arrived, I realized I had left the car-sick pills in the truck.With the windiest trip ahead, the kids needed them, so I myself from the meal and went to get them.
Just then, the "doorman" was opening the door for a couple. They rushed past him without even acknowledging his . Letting them in first, I said a loud "thank you" to him as I .When I returned, we talked a bit. He said he was not allowed inside he purchased food . I went back and told my family his .Then I asked our waitress to add one soup and sandwich.
The kids looked as we had already eaten, but when I said the order was for the "doorman" , they smiled. When it was time to our trip, I found the "doorman" enjoying his meal. Upon seeing me, he stood up and thanked me heartily. He then out his hand for a handshake and I gratefully accepted. I suddenly the tears in his eyes—tears of gratitude (感激) .What happened next drew great astonishment: I gave the " doorman" a _ . He pulled away, with tears down his face.
Back in truck, I fell into deep thought.While we can't choose many things in life, we can choose when to show gratitude.I said thanks to a man who had held open a door for me, and also said thanks for that to teach my children by example.