Larry Has A Small Piece of my Heart

If you didn't know this about me, you should know, I work at a hospital.
After all of the hospital "big wigs" leave for the day, and doctors have visited their patients, the night crew shows up. The crazy bunch of people who don't appreciate a good nights sleep, and are far too insane to work a nine to five, roam the hospital like busy little bees.
Part of this lovely bunch of people is the floor crew. They make the hospital laminate shine so that I can lean forward to check my lipstick. Larry is their ringleader. He is probably 70 years old, wears grandpa glasses, walks with a slight limp on one side, and combs his hair like its 1957. He is the chief troublemaker, and the sweetest older gentleman that I've ever met.
I make it a point to say hello and have a small conversation with Larry every single time I see him. Because he always wears a smile.
Because he cracks silly old man jokes.
Because I've made it a thing.
I learned this evening that my small hello's and courtesy laughs mean something to Larry.

We exchanged our usual smiles and our waves and our 'How ya doin?'s this evening as normal.
Larry then stopped, put his weathered and hard working hand on my young and tense shoulder.
He looked me in the eye and said,
"Dani, you always brighten my day!"
I waltzed away from that conversation, and in that moment I knew that the tiny effort I make, makes someone else happy.
That is a powerful moment.
To know that something that seems so small and insignificant to me, is in all reality humongous and incredibly important to someone else is so gratifying.

Sometimes we have to be kind to others for ourselves. We don't always have eloquent and grandiose 'thank you' moments from the people we have impact on. But to know from one person that my kindness has made a small impact is enough to keep being kind.
Be kind today.
Be kind every day.