I did something that I don’t normally do. I was on my way to pick up a Lyft Passenger as I drove down a small street lined with tents.

Before going to pick up the passenger, I made a U-turn, and went back to the woman and the man who were on the street in front of their tent. The woman was rubbing her arms, and she was obviously cold while the man was puffing on a cigarette and sitting on a small, plastic chair, seemingly unaffected by the cold.

From my car, I asked what size shoe he wore and he said, “I wear 11 1/2 to 12.” I was disappointed because I knew that the shoes I had in my car were too small. Then I asked the woman what size she wore and she said, “large or extra large” so I got out of my car and grabbed one of the Michael Kors jackets. She spun around placing her arms in each of the arm sleeves while I held the jacket for her, and then I zipped the jacket all the way up to her nose, and we both started to laugh.

She looked so comfortable in the bubble jacket, and she was no longer rubbing her arms because she was not as cold as she was when I drove by them. She looked like a cute, little stuffed teddy bear and now she was smiling. Then, I remembered that I had some blankets in my car that I got from a yard sale that offered free items to people who were on our Buy Nothing Page.

I asked them if they needed a blanket and she quickly said, “Yes.” I gave her a down comforter and a miniature blanket. I told the gentleman that I would look for a pair of shoes in a size 11 and I would also bring them some socks.

I started keeping items like shoes, socks and clothes in my car because I’m out on the streets driving and I see a lot of people I can help. Before I left, I took the tags off of the jacket and told the man that I do outreach for the homeless so now that I knew where they were, I would be back.

I post these stories to let you know that there is no time limit on acts of kindness, and there is no size requirement either. That means any little thing or any big thing you do means a lot to the person who did not have it before you showed up.

As I drove away in my car, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the lady dancing in her new coat as the man sat in the chair and shook his head. I would like to think he was laughing. As I executed what Kevin Ross of Small gesture BIG SMILE calls “SpotemGottem,” a peaceful feeling washed over me.

I dedicate my act of kindness to Kevin‘s mom, who recently passed away, and is now an angel in heaven, as she was on earth. 🙏🏽