Lil Book

Lil Book

It all started on the worst but best day ever! LOL I had just finished buying myself the best breakfast from a lil café I like in Downtown when I tripped and dropped everything! Those lattes aren’t cheap! I was cursing my bad luck and trying to clean up the best I could when in the trash I noticed a lil black book. A very tattered and worn down book with nothing special about it I almost would have missed it… the small glint of gold ribbon hidden underneath. I opened the book only to find numbers scribbled across the front page. I was just about to throw it back when I see a convenience store with the Mega Lottery flashing across the front. I laugh out loud and say here is my sign from the universe I been waiting for all my life A LOTTERY TICKET! Being in such a great fantastic mood I drop in bet on the numbers written and tell the store owner if I win I’d split it with him. I head back home hungry dirty and day dreaming of that latte.

Well what a surprise the next day when what do you know I won the lottery! I couldn’t believe it like how could this be happening to me! To have all the money a person could ask for! Not worrying about my unpaid bills or having to penny pinch for that nice expensive item at the mall or having to eat instant noodles instead of spicy shrimp pad thai here was the answer to all my problems! Like any person I was overjoyed and being thankful for this wonderful blessing. I later finally got my winnings and was in my reverie of thoughts about how to spend my money when like a lightning flash the lil black book came across my mind. I was scared to be honest I had forgotten all about that book I dared not to touch it! All these horrible ideas of witchcraft and selling your soul for great fortunes frightened me terribly! I was just about to burn the book in the fireplace when a breeze from the window blew the pages open and out flew a page and landed at my feet. I had no idea what the writing meant it was all numbers. I picked it up and realized it was a phone number! At first I was like no way how could this book expect me to call this number? How outlandish I thought! To be thinking the book was trying to get me to call someone and maybe order food or something! HAHA I was hesitant at first but I called the number only to hear a busy tone. I forgot about it and was on my way to my favorite café when I remembered the old store clerk I had promised sharing my fortunes with I immediately went to go see him. He was on the phone when I showed up and looked very upset. When he was finished I asked what was wrong and he told me the bank was going to foreclose his shop because he hadn’t the money to pay back the bank loan he owed. I was saddened by the story for I remember this lil store always being here in the neighborhood growing up next to the amazing café I could stop by on my way home. Before I could say anything he said a number called that he didn’t recognize and was going to call back and what a disbelief when my phone began ringing! We both of course were shocked he asked if that was me calling for something. Here it was the person of the mysterious number! My heart pounded and my head span what was the meaning of all this! There must be a reason for the lil book having given me his number? It dawned on me...I was meant to help this old man in his time of need. I calmly collected myself and told him I was here to give him the money I promised him if I won the lottery. How unbelievable he said! Are you serious he said? With tears in his eyes he came to hug me and thank me from the bottom of his heart. How wonderful the feeling to help this man and see him hopeful and thankful. When I walked away after giving him the money he needed I was filled with a happiness I haven’t experienced inawhile not since the time I helped a worried elderly woman get her cat from a tree when she couldn’t. I was reminiscing drinking my latte on my way home humming and smiling all the way.

The lil black book had many numbers in it I found after that. I tried and called them all only to find out the people on the other line always needed help of some kind. I have to admit it was awkward when they would answer but you would be surprised just by asking if someone needs help how many will open up and say yes. The joy and happiness to hear them relax and not stress over the little things or big ones is a gift in itself. One was a disabled child with no father whose mother couldn’t afford a computer for home schooling so I bought him one and had it shipped. The next call was a family who had no vehicle because it broke down so I bought them a van to get to work and live a normal life. Another call was a family affected by the storm that hit Texas and didn’t have money to fix their home I went and helped pay to get it fixed even threw in some elbow grease of my own to get it done. A nurse whose family was affected with the devastating corona virus didn’t have the money to pay the funeral costs of her family members so I paid my respects and the burial costs. Oh how much pain and suffering is in the world it feels so helpless and cruel at times but there is hope in a helping hand. I know it only sounds like a storybook ending to hear about someone helping others unconditionally but it is possible and takes only compassion. Say hi to your neighbors when you see them. Check in with family members and friends who don’t have the courage to ask for help. Bring over food and drinks and find a reason to laugh and enjoy life. There are many reasons and excuses to focus on the negative but I promise try and think positive. And maybe it won’t make you rich from the lottery or have everything handed to you easily but life wouldn’t be life without a struggle to overcome. Just like the spilled latte that lead me to the magical lil black book be the silver lining in someones day and the riches of being kind will make you rich beyond treasures one day one person at a time.

No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted-Aesop