Imprint

Imprint

Kindness has its own way of coming out. We all became so busy in life that most of us have forgotten to appreciate the smallest acts that warm our hearts. Though I have done volunteer work in shelters and prepared food for the homeless, today, I decided that I will tell a story of the smallest act done for me that has been engraved in my soul from that very day.

It was on Christmas Eve of 2019. I was new to Canada and came as a student. I was working in a burger joint as a supervisor at the time. On that specific day, the rest of the staff took the day off as Christmas Eve. Thus, I was continuously working from 10:00 am in the morning till 8:00 pm in the evening. I was super tired, feeling lonely, and was missing my family an awful lot. I couldn't stop thinking about my friends back in my home country, about how we would enjoy the festival season. I was a bit depressed and desperately wanted to go back to my country.

It was almost time for us to close the store just when a family walked in. My manager was at the back, looking over some accounts, and as for me, I was never the one to turn the customers down. So, they came in and placed an order when I saw that little guy with his eyes as green as an ocean, standing beside his mother. He was standing there smiling broadly at me. His smile was beyond description, and all I can say is that it felt like sunshine, which warmed my heart. Of course, a child's smile was the most beautiful thing in this world.

I took their orders, got the patties on the grill, and called them up to get their burgers dressed up.

"You are looking so pretty," he said. I heard him but did not even look up, for I was sure that he talked to his mom or dad.

"You are looking beautiful," he said again. This time I looked up to find that the boy was looking at me intently. I realized that he was talking to me, but I was not sure if I could believe my ears.

"I am sorry?" I asked, confused.

"I said you are looking so pretty," he told me for the third time and smiled. When I say all emotions hit me at once, it was one-fourth of what I felt. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't realize tears were running down my cheeks. I would agree now that it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.

The boy though initially shocked by my reaction recovered quickly.

"Did I say something that made you cry?" he panicked.

"Not at all." I was still crying. "I just miss my family so much."

"I am sorry. What happened to your family?"

"My family stays in another country. I just wish they were here with me," I said, lost in thought. And also, was grateful that I at least stopped crying. He thought for some time and told me to give him a minute and talked something in his dad's ear. They went out, and by the time they came in, I finished packing the burgers.

He was carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. He asked me to come out for the back of the counter. I went to him, and he handed me that bouquet. "Merry Christmas. I wish you have all the happiness in this world." He was smiling so big that my heart melted, and loneliness vanished. "Thank you so much," I said as I accepted it. "They are so beautiful."

He laughed. "Just like you. When I grow and become a man, I will propose to you. Will you accept me then?"

At that time, I can swear to you that my cheeks could have been colored. I looked at the child's parents. Their eyes were sparkling, and I could feel that they were so immensely proud of their son. I knelt before the child and said with all my heart. "Of course, I would. But let me tell you. You are a man and a wonderful man."

He threw his arms around me, kissed me on my cheek, and in a second ran out of the store.

"He is marvelous." I amused.

"He is." His mom said, smiling. "Merry Christmas to you."

"Merry Christmas" I smiled and handed over the burgers.

That day, I left the store profoundly happy. That kid will surely be a great person one day. Though it was a simple gesture of kindness, it left an imprint on my soul and taught me that the simplest of acts will forever change someone's day and life. Let us all carry away a lesson of being kind to everyone that comes into our journey of life. We never know what difference we can make in their journey. Have you ever had an incident that was imprinted on your journey that you could always remember? If you did, please share them, and warm our souls for a bit.