(CLAIR) – It all started as a fairly typical weekly grocery trip for Kristin Doe and her 7-year-old daughter. However, this trip would turn out to be anything but ordinary.
Mom and daughter headed into the Ralph’s Grocery Store on Los Angeles Ave. They were bundled up in coats and hats, as it was especially chilly this Monday evening.
They made their way through the rows, filling their cart with items that seemed far less expensive just a few months ago. About halfway down the store’s seasonal aisle, the daughter’s eyes suddenly lit up. She spotted a medium-sized plush toy dog in the Valentine’s Day section.
She quietly lifted the dog from the shelf and just stared at it for a moment. She was smitten. She hugged the toy and carried it with her throughout the rest of their shopping trip.
When mom and daughter reached the checkout counter, they were stunned to find out that the toy was going to cost $30! Even with their Ralph’s Club discount card, the Valentines Day dog was simply more than the family could afford right now.
After allowing her to hold the toy the entire time while they were shopping, Mom felt terrible about having to break the news to her daughter. The young girl had become so attached. Asking her to put it back at this point was going to break her heart.
But the reality was, $30 for a stuffed animal toy was out of the budget. They were not able to buy it right now. It’s too expensive, and food for the family was the priority.
As mom turned to deliver the crushing news, the checker chimed in with a surprising announcement. Apparently, the man behind them in line noticed the situation. He realized what was happening and raised his hand to indicate to the checker that he wanted to pay for the toy.
The mother was taken aback. It was such a nice gesture, she thought. And while seeing her daughter’s eyes fill with tears, she thanked the man but kindly refused the offer.
However, the stranger insisted. And told mom that the toy was already paid for, in full. Feeling overwhelmed by the stranger’s kindness, the mom could only smile and daughter gave the stranger a hug. Mom thanked him, accepted the gift and they left the store. Hours later she was still in disbelief about what had transpired.
In a post on social media the mom wrote, “This simple act of kindness, at Ralph’s Grocery, is a much needed reminder that the people of our Simi Valley community are very kind and compassionate individuals.”
Kristin, the mother in this story, would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to the stranger, hoping that this story will reach him, and let him know that his act of kindness will never be forgotten.
