RAOK

Just had to share about our very humbling experience with a random act of kindness that really touched me!

Yesterday, DH had a 'battle hand off', which basically means a ceremony that accepts him into his unit here in Cali since he graduated from BCT & AIT. He was given his unit badges and pins and given some coins of excellence as well as being given recognition for graduating Distinguished Honor Graduate (he graduated in the top 1%, and was the only one out of a few thousand soldiers). He also received recognition for being the only one the unit has ever received who had so many certificates of accomplishment and coins of excellence, one of which was from the General who was in command at AIT. DH was very proud to have his family there and the girls were beaming with pride. I was sitting on the sidelines hoping my makeup made me look less green and that i could hold out from throwing up and not mortify my DH. LOL.

Afterwards, my medicine finally kicked in and we decided to splurge even though it wasn't in the budget and take us on a family date. So we headed to BJ's and decided to celebrate DH's accomplishments and the fact that hey, we really survived and DH was home for at least 2 years! We splurged on dinner and got appetizers and dessert, figuring it was the only time in months we'd be doing this and finally when everyone was so full, we could barely move we got ready and asked for our check. The server was very sweet and told us how well behaved our girls were (which always shocks me since my youngest is a virtual engine and NEVER stops moving) and then said that another guest had taken care of our check and wanted us to know their heartfelt thanks for DH's service. We were completely shocked and taken a back. We weren't even sure how to react, we asked if the server was sure and he said yes with a smile and went on his way. And then we looked at each other in amazement and felt completely humble. What do we do? We asked each other. Is it rude to ask who and go over and thank them? Or would that make a scene and embarrass the strangers for their kindness? We decided to give the server a really nice tip and pay it forward and try to thank the strangers. But by then the server let us know they had left, but he was thrilled at his tip and we were thankful for others kindess.

We left feeling that wow, there is still some pride in country and that others still go out of their way to show kindness to complete strangers like us. A total pick me up and something that we wish we could say thank you for. So instead i'm saying it here. We are very honored and humbled by the kindness of complete strangers and are proud to serve for a country where fellow citizens go out of their way to say thank you to us as a family, every where we go. DH is incredibly proud to wear his uniform and every day work for the safety of the State of California and our country and looks forward to being able to help more when he is called. Thank you!