The 3 Cents of Happiness

So I love the days when the day is grey and gloomy and things seem to be drudging on and then suddenly something happens that causes you to step back and reassess your situation.

This was one of those days.

I went to drop off four packages at the post office after trying to go yesterday, forgetting the post office was closed for Columbus Day. Many other people seemed to be in the same mindset.

I walked in the door and there were 5 people in front of me and within minutes there were 11 people behind me.

Everyone seems to be getting impatient when suddenly this little boy in line, no more than 6 or 7 walks up to the counter that he can barely see over and hands the lady a tiny package.

In his hand is a worn out Ziploc baggy with a few coins in the corner.

At this point every single person in line is watching this little boy.

The lady weighs his package and tells him, "That'll be $2.95."

He hands over his little baggy and the lady in front of me calls out, "Just tell us if there's not enough! We'll get the rest of it!"

Everyone in line just nods their heads in agreement, smiling.

The woman counts out his coins and says, "Ah, your a little short, I don't think your mom gave you quite enough..but don't worry about it!"

Then she realizes, "Oh! There's another dime in the bag! You'll even get some change!"

The boy looked up at her and in amazement goes, "I get change?"

With the clinging bells of the cash register she places 3 pennies in his open palm.

He turned around with smile that reminded me that it really is possible to smile "from ear-to-ear" and he walked out the door.

A woman a couple places in front of me goes, "Now that just made my day!"

It was amazing how much the energy changed in the room in those few short minutes.

By the time I left it felt like everyone was walking on air.

It really was a wonderful reminder that such an abundance of happiness can come from a mere 3 cents.