Kindness Beyond Boundaries: Teenage Acts of Affection

What is the kindest behavior you ever saw from a teenager? It is a simple question that can open a window into the world of my own children. My older two children were 12 and 13 years old when my father, their grandfather, was in his last year of life. You might think that at their age, they would not have the patience and care needed to take care of someone as old and feeble as my father. But they proved me wrong.

A Car Window Encounter

It was a strange form of kindness: I was leaving a Wal-Mart disappointed and empty-handed. In the parking lot, a girl with a different skin color from mine rolled down her car window and started talking to me. We had never met, and I had no idea who she was. She asked me if I would like a bit of kinetic sand. I asked her the price. She said that she would just give it to me.

To see a stranger, especially a stranger of a different ethnicity, give something away for free to a stranger is a rare and beautiful sight. Even more so, when that something is a product that no one can buy without spending money, it is a gesture that stands out in the ordinary world. That little piece of kinetic sand is now framed on my coffee table. I still don’t know who she is or why she chose me, but the gesture she made touched me deeply.

Grandchildren and Grandfather: A Team of Care

My older two children, with their youthful energy and care, took loving care of my father. They helped him to sit up in the mornings and feed him before rushing off for school tuition classes and school activities. They were a team, with my son using his strength to keep my father upright and comfortable, and my daughter trying all the tricks in the book to make my father say 'Aaah' so that he could swallow another spoonful of oats.

The children's grandmother and a maid were around, but they made a game of it and tenderly took care of the grandfather who had taught them to read, discussed philosophy, took them on walks, and fed them when they were toddlers. Their daily routine made my father happy, even though sometimes he was befuddled by his own condition.

The Legacy of Love and Care

Now that my children are grown adults, they have gone on to make me proud with their achievements. However, I am proudest of how their kindness and tenderness made an old man happy. They showed that even in our fast-paced world, where we often focus on individual success and achievements, there is still room for genuine care and affection.

The story of the kindest behavior seen from a teenager reminds us that acts of kindness and care can transcend boundaries and touch people's lives in profound ways. It is a reminder that the little things we do for others can make a big difference. Whether it's giving away a piece of kinetic sand or helping an elderly person, these acts of kindness are what truly make our world a better place.