Taking a family of five out to breakfast can be a trying and expensive ordeal, especially when two of the family are under 5 years old, but there we were in the middle of the local “family restaurant.” Actually, the breakfast itself was nothing out of the ordinary but that particular morning, just after the waitress had given us our bill, an elderly gentleman approached the table and took the bill off the table.

“I hope you don’t object if I pay this for you,” he asked with a smile, “You have such a lovely family.”

My husband and I must have stammered something in the affirmative, because he simply smiled again and walked away with our bill in his hand.

His example of generosity has stayed with me, and I find myself looking for some way that I can pass his kindness along.

— Mary B. Kridler, California