Many years ago, I was actively buying and selling off Playstation 3 games. There was an active forum online where gamers gathered to trade.
I set off one evening to trade a game (Infamous 2.)
We agreed via text to meet a the train station at 630PM.
I was on time.
When I arrived, I texted, "Hi, I am here."
The reply: "Sorry! I'll be late!"
Instantly, me being the impatient bastard that I am, I got annoyed.
I replied, "Fine."
I was being a passive aggressive bitch.
At 640PM, he still had not arrive.
I texted, "Where are you???" I added more question marks on purpose.
The reply: "Reaching!"
I did not bother to reply then. I just continued to wait impatiently. I had all sorts of angry thoughts, particularly how a god damn adult with a brain couldn't be punctual.
At around 645PM, the dude arrived.
I expected an adult, probably rushing over from work.
What I saw instead was a little fat boy, donning a blue T-shirt that was obviously too big for him. He wore sandals, the one with velcro. His bermudas were so long it looked like pants on him. And he was carrying a haversack, which wasn't adjusted accordingly to his torso. It was hanging near his ass.
Did I mention his T-shirt had a wet stain in the middle too?
He looked no older than 10.
He pranced over excitedly when he saw me. He was smiling away.
We made the trade.
His eyes lit up when I handed him Infamous 2.
He loudly exclaimed, "Thank you!"
And he ran off to the bus stop. I thought he was going to trip on his own sandals. I think he really wanted to rush home to play the game.
I went on my way.
About ten minutes later, he texted me again, "Thank you! :)"
I replied, "No problem."
That kind of made my day, knowing that I helped brighten a kid's day. He certainly did remind me of when I was a kid myself, where I would be so happy for days to come whenever my parents bought me a new game or system.
To be reminded of simple pleasures and how one's form of happiness can show the difference in the way we lead our lives really makes you think. I mean, personally for me, if I were to head out of the house, I'd want to kill a few birds with one stone at least.
This little boy rushed out just to rush back home instantly.
And that alone already blew my mind.
I hope you'd be reminded of simple pleasures from time to time, especially the kind where you're helping others attain the same.