This Guy Sold Me Something As Useless As The ‘G’ In Lasagna

I bought it because it was the kindest thing I could do.

The other day, I was cleaning out my car and discovered a bottle opener in the glove compartment.

Not only do I not drink beer, but I certainly don’t drink it in the car. And it’s not like I’ll ever run into a stranger on the road who needs his beer opened.

Finding it brought me back to the exact time and place I purchased it, many years ago in Jamaica. It’s the most generic souvenir anyone can buy, and for sure, it wasn’t even made in Jamaica. It was probably made in Taiwan.

I purchased the trinket from an old man who was sitting outside an ATM just off the main highway. Plenty of tourists stop at this ATM on their way to popular tourist towns.

It annoys me when vendors sit outside ATM machines because it creates expectation. I couldn’t exactly tell him I have no money, walking out of a bank. I knew he’d still be there when I came out with a wad of cash in my wallet.

Smart guy.

Of course, it’s my choice whether or not I give it away, but it puts me in the uncomfortable position of having to say no.

However, this old man was sweet, and I felt extra kind that day, so I walked over to take a look at what he was selling. None of it was new or useful to me, a person who’s been to Jamaica 36 times, but I felt like injecting a little bit of hope into his day.

So I picked out the one thing that, in hindsight, was the most useless item in my personal stash of trinkets, and asked him how much for it.

He said $10.00 USD. I laughed and remarked that there’s no way a little bottle opener is worth $10.00. I offered him $5.00 and he accepted.

I handed him $10.00 and told him to keep the change. Because he was willing to settle for less, I chose to give him his full asking price.

His eyes lit up and the biggest smile stretched across his face. 😊

I needed a bottle opener like I needed a hole in my head, but for the opportunity to make the man’s day better, it was well worth it.

As I walked back to my car, he called after me. “Thank you, Miss. Something good will happen to you today.”

I don’t recall whether anything good did happen the rest of that day, but it didn’t matter. I was just happy that he was happy. Maybe that was the good part.

When we do good deeds, something good must always come from it, whether we recognize it or not.

Maybe that was the only $10.00 he made that day. I doubt it, but it’s possible.

My bottle opener has never fulfilled its destiny of opening a single bottle, but here it sits with me as a reminder of how beautiful the human spirit can be if we choose to look for it.

I cherish insignificant moments like these simply because they always come with a story worth telling.

Think good thoughts. Say nice things. Do good for others. Pay it forward.

Speaking of stories worth telling…