| Kindness in Killarney This past Monday, most of our family took a day trip offered by a boat tour company, travelling to the small, waterside town of Killarney and back. It was a seven-hour cruise in all, travelling along what they call the “North Channel” — the stretch of water between Manitoulin Island and the North Shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada.It’s an exceptionally beautiful part of the world and is considered one of the finest sailing areas anywhere. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The sun was out, the temperature was just right, and the water was unusually calm. Everything about the trip seemed to fall into place.When we arrived in Killarney, we had a couple of hours ashore, so 11 of us crowded around a couple of outdoor tables at the Sportsman’s Inn for lunch.My daughter Katherine and her husband Paul were there with their six children. They’re raising the kids in a traditional way — teaching them to be polite, well-behaved, considerate of other people, and responsible. It’s something strangers seem to notice, too. Katherine and Paul regularly get compliments when they’re out with the family.After lunch, I went inside to pay the bill for everyone. The waitress looked at me and said, “Oh, someone else already took care of that for you.” Wow! We never found out who volunteered to pay a bill that was probably close to $300.I can’t know what prompted it, but I have a suspicion that someone in the restaurant noticed this big family, enjoyed seeing the children together, and simply wanted to do something kind.Whatever the reason, it was one of those little moments that stays with you. Somewhere in Killarney this week was a stranger who quietly picked up the lunch bill for 11 people and disappeared without taking any credit for it.There’s still a great deal of goodness in the world. Sometimes it shows up when you least expect it. Has anything like this ever happened to you? Tell me about it. I’d love to hear.– Steve Maxwell, Manitoulin Island, Canada |
Live~NRGY 
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