Small acts of kindness can have a big impact

OK, little things impress me.

I was stopped at the light at a busy intersection when I noticed a white guy and a Hispanic guy talking. No big deal — except this was in a suburb not exactly known as a hotbed of multiculturalism.

As I watched, it became obvious the white guy was blind. They talked for quite a while (it was a long light), both smiling and laughing as they discussed whatever it was they were discussing.

When the signal changed to “WALK,” they started across, the Hispanic man offering his arm to his blind friend.

We’re not exactly talking headlines on the 5 p.m. news here; I seriously doubt the state of race relations in the greater Chicago area was significantly impacted by this chance encounter. But I was.

Sometimes there seems to be so little in this world to feel good about. Watch the news, listen to the radio, read the paper, and after a little while it all seems to blur into one depressing story after another.

Some days I intentionally avoid the news just because I’m tired of being reminded how cruel and heartless we can be to each other. When we encounter each other across the chasms of race, religion or ethnicity, we somehow seem to let out the worst in ourselves.

The color of people’s skin, the faith they embrace or the tribe from which they emerge become the measures we use to judge those around us. Actually, we’d rather not know who they are as people; this would only confuse matters.

When two people risk encountering each other despite such stereotypes, perhaps then it is news — and good news at that.

So I paused a moment to observe and enjoy this little scene. I even talked to my 19-year-old about it, and I had a better day. I guess little things do impress me.

Ÿ The Rev. Ken Potts’ book “Mix, Don’t Blend: A Guide to Dating, Engagement, and Remarriage with Children” is available through book retailers.