An Act of Kindness

Today I came home from having dinner with my parents and I picked up my mail. I hadn’t checked it in a while, so there was a buildup of flyers, bills, and solicitations. Nothing too interesting. As I came to the bottom of the stack I saw a hand written envelope.

It wasn’t written to me, though. It was addressed to the former resident.

I flipped it in my hands for a half a second and decided to open it. I thought to myself that it was my duty to check it. Maybe it was important. Really, I’m just too curious for my own good.

It was a doctor’s bill for a small amount of money. The money was overdue and he was threatening to put it on her credit report. My credit report’s a disaster – I always argue with companies who screw me over and refuse to pay. Then they put things on my credit report. It bothered me the first time, but I grew numb to it after a while. I wonder if her credit report is ok.

I put the letter in a new envelope, addressed it to the doctor, and put in enough cash to cover the bill. No check, no return address.

It’s not that I’m a nice guy. Really, I’m pretty selfish.

I like the idea of the doctor getting his letter, which was threatening and impersonal, returned with what appears to be an act of genuine kindness. Maybe it will give him faith that people are good. I love doing things that make people wonder. Just because I’m not there to see the reaction doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a good one.
More than anything, I do things like this because it makes me feel good about myself.