What $69.00 can do

I wasn’t going to share this story because I’m a big believer in just doing unexpected kind things for strangers and not needing recognition. Just be nice, spread the love, positively impact someone’s day, ya know?

But, I ended up telling a friend this story, because of the synchronicity to a story she had shared with me, and she encouraged me to share it with others, as a reminder to do good this holiday season (and always!) especially as we move into a near year. So, here it goes!

Back in October I had bought a few things at Best Buy. One of the items was just the wrong item and the other ended up not working how it said it was supposed to. It was totally my fault that I didn’t return them sooner, but hey, I never go to the mall and I just didn’t prioritize it, until December 22nd—three days before Christmas (duh). 

So, I walked into Best Buy as the sun was setting and went to customer service, assuming I’d at least get a store credit for the items. I had no idea how much money I’d be getting back, I truthfully didn’t remember how much the items cost (and i’d lost the receipt), but what I did know was that my intention was to find somebody in the store and give them the gift card I would receive. I wanted to make someone’s day while holiday shopping! 

I’ll keep this part brief, but it’s important to know. The woman behind the customer service desk did not want me to get any money back for the opened tripod I was trying to return. “It’s open and it’s past the return date” she said. And I calmly did my best to explain to her that I understood that, but the product didn’t hold the amount of weight it said it was supposed to, therefore I believed I should get my money back. She told me to take it up with the manufacturer, not her. “I bought this item here” I said one last time, “It makes sense to me that I be able to return a product that doesn’t work properly to the place I purchased it.”

She rolled her eyes and got the manager, who eventually gave me store credit for both items. The woman coldly slapped the gift card and the receipt in my hand and immediately turned her back to me. 

“Thank you and happy holidays” I said, and she disappeared without saying a word back to me. 

“I wish she knew what my intention was in this moment” I thought, as I looked at the amount on the receipt. $69.00.

And off I went in search of a lucky person to give the gift card to. 

If Best Buy has security cameras, I am sure somebody watching back would be so concerned about my strange behavior as I pretended to look at the same DVDs for 15 minutes, walked up and down all the aisles of the store at least five times. For a moment I thought I’d give the card to a dad and his three sons. They had been adding up numbers in their heads and I’d thought maybe they would be grateful. But something just didn’t feel right so I kept walking around.

I ended dup down an aisle that had lap top cases on the far back wall. There was a woman shopping by herself. She was probably a few years younger than my own grandma who unexpectedly passed away last month. I immediately smiled when I saw her. As I came up next to her, pretending to look at the cases myself, she turned to me and smiled. 

“Who are you shopping for?” I asked her. 

“Oh me!’ she laughed, and turned the case over in her hand to check the price tag. “I am going to South Carolina to visit my grandchildren for Christmas.”

“Ah, so fun!” I responded. “Which case are you leaning towards?” 

“Well I like that one” she pointed, up towards a top shelf, “But these things are just so expensive!”

I looked up to the top shelf at the Kate Spade lap top case, and immensely laughed to myself as I saw the price tag. “$69.00” it read. 

The woman had scooted down the aisle a bit and was looking at another black case. 

“What do you think of that one?” I asked.

“Well, it’s $9.00” she laughed, “But man is it ugly!”

We both laughed, and then I took a step closer to her. 

“Buy yourself the one you love.” I said, and handed her the gift card. “There’s $69.00 on here” 

She took the card. “What? Why are you doing this?!” She looked me in the eyes, already grateful but simultaneously confused. I could see the sparkle of tears beginning to form in the corner of her eyes.

“I’ve been looking for someone in the store to give this to, and it’s meant for you. Merry Christmas, buy yourself a gift.” I said and she wrapped her arms around me. 

“Have fun with your grand children and safe travels.” I said with a smile before giving her one more hug and turning to walk away. I still felt her eyes on me as I turned the corner and headed towards the front door. I felt a tingle inside of my own belly as I exited the store back into the chilly winter night. It was a feeling of joy that only comes with human kindness.