When I got to the pool on Friday, a lady who walked in behind me complained, “There is nothing worse than forgetting your towel.”

“You don’t have one?” I asked.

“Well, they gave me this at the desk,” and she showed off an old, dingy hand towel.

“Do you need a towel? Here.” Without thinking twice, I handed her my fishy towel.

In the winter, I carry two towels to the pool – a thicker towel to help keep me warm and dry off with and an older towel – very lightweight and thin but perfect for wrapping around my wet hair and stop me from shaking. My “bottom of the pile towels” are literally almost 20 years old. My now young men used them at swimming lessons when they were kids but the towels are still in reasonable shape and perfect for wet hair or standing on rocks/sand after swimming in the lake; the fishy towel was my favorite.

“You have an extra towel?” she asked incredulously.

“Take it. It’s an old towel. I can do without it.”

She smiled and thanked me; another women who was listening to our conversation also smiled. And even though I felt a bit sad (ridiculous, I know) about giving away my favorite “bottom of the pile” towel, I was really happy to be able to help a stranger. I couldn’t help but smile.

The lady was exceptionally grateful. As I was leaving the pool, she yelled out from the water, “Thank you again for the towel!” A few heads turned, puzzled. I waved and smiled back.

Kindness and gratitude. Found when you least expect it. Guaranteed to make you smile.