It remains one of my daughter’s favorite memories. We decided to perform random acts of kindness and it was recycling pick-up day. For weeks, we had noticed that the huge green truck that rumbled down our street had one person on it, and that one man did all the work. He drove the truck, jumped down and sorted the materials from the blue bins scattered along the curb, throwing the items into the proper opening on the truck. He then pulled himself back into the driver’s seat, only to repeat the entire process a mere 20 feet or so away at the next bin.

            On this particular day, we placed a cold canned drink on a small yellow chair from our house. As the truck turned the corner and headed toward our house, we hid inside the house and peeked out the slatted blinds. My daughter’s eyes were excited, her expression one of mischief.

            “I wonder what he’ll do, Mom,” she whispered to me, as if he could hear us through the window. Her excitement spilled around us.

            Soon, the truck was at our driveway. For an instant, he proceeded to carry out his task as usual, and then he noticed the small chair topped by a soft drink can. He looked again, then stood up and looked around. His gaze fell back to the drink and a huge smile lit up his face. He grabbed the can and popped the top, taking a swig of the cold liquid before he started sorting empty cans and bottles from our bin. Maybe it was our imaginations, but his step seemed lighter, this man who did such a dirty job with no help and no company as he did it.

            My daughter jumped up and down behind the shade, and she laughed at the “trick” we had played on him. For years, we looked for ways to lighten the load for friends and strangers alike. I hope she continues this tradition as she approaches her 25th birthday, and has encouraged others to join in the fun.

            As we officially enter the holiday season, involve your children in the Random Acts of Kindness movement. Join in with them. Do something, even a small kindness, for someone every day. Do it anonymously and without expectation of reward or recognition. A kindness is never lost. It reverberates through time forever, and will return to you in a thousand unknown ways.