ACTS OF KINDNESS MY THEATRE ANGELS
It is funny how random strangers can leave an imprint on your heart, mind and soul with a smile; a shoulder to cry on; a hand to carry your ridiculously over-packed suitcase up the beast of a staircase in front of you; a chance to use their phone to call your brother to come pick you up from the station because your battery had died; basically, an act of kindness. When I went to go see the NT Live screening of Skylight (a post on this is in the works) on my own I had planned to find a good seat, be reintroduced into the world of theatre and be wowed by the performance of the actors. And did I achieve all of those things. One thing I was not expecting was running into four theatre angels...
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After I had found my preferred seat for the night I was joined by four strangers-3 ladies and a gentleman-who all greeted me with a smile after I let them get past me so they could sit on the spare seats next to me. I had not even rearranged myself before they struck up a conversation with me. And just like that, a girl who was once sat alone was now included into the party that was sat next to her. Totally unexpected but I very much appreciated how friendly they were. However, it did not stop there. A few moments before the play was to begin one of the ladies came back from a quick trip to the nearby Sainsbury's with a bag full of water bottles. As I stood up to let her get past me to her seat she handed me a bottle. I was both shocked and confused. My look of confusion spoke for me and she said that its ok, that she figured we'll all be thirsty. I shook my head and tried to return the water but she smiled at me and said that it is mine. I sat there, in the dark, with a chilled bottle of water in my hands bought for me by this smiling stranger utterly confused by this act of kindness. I already had a bottle of water in my bag but now I was given a new one that was now so much more than "just a bottle of water". I quietly thanked her, tentatively sipped my gift and tried to concentrate on the play that had just started.
When the first half the play was over and the curtain had pulled down, we all began to discuss what we'd seen and how much we loved it already. Then, we all spotted a man who sauntered down the aisle of the rather warm room with an Magnum ice-cream at the same time. This steered our conversation onto the topic of food and ice-cream and how having one in our hands would only make the evening that much better. So, imagine my surprise when I popped off to the loo and came back to find a Magnum white chocolate ice-cream (my favourite by the way) waiting for me. What?! Another lady from the Party of Four had nipped off to the nearby Sainsbury's to get us all one. Now that kinda knocked me for six. She shoved it in my hand said, "Here you go", with a beaming smile and picked up our conversation where it left off. I thanked her and was left completely dazed for the rest of the break. I was so surprised and touched by their generosity that my manners seemed to have temporarily left me. It was only after the play had come to an end and everyone was getting up to leave the auditorium and we were saying goodbyes amongst the crowd that it occurred to me that I did not once offer to pay for what they got me. The bewildered state I was in had somehow prevented me from saying those words and I felt so horrible. As I turned back to find them, my four theatre angels were nowhere to be found. I tried to find them and rectify my mistake- simply assuming they were being nice (which I know they were)- but to no avail.
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So, why am I telling you all of this? Whenever I turn on the news these days I am saddened by the stories of conflict, violence and mourning . And sometimes, they overshadow the goodness in the world. I wanted to share this story of how little acts of kindness can indeed go a long way and have this as a reminder to myself to do the same. Not because it will make me feel better, but because there is a chance it could bring a little bit of happiness, joy, peace and hope to the person I am talking to, smiling at, giving a hand etc.
Have you been surprised by an act of kindness lately by a complete stranger?
Mo x