Weeks later, I stopped by Salerno’s again. Mr. Benning wasn’t there, but I helped an older woman with her groceries—his friend, Margaret. She said he always talked about how kind strangers could be.

Inspired, I began doing small good deeds—fixing a tire, buying coffee, calling my dad more often. Then one day, a letter came from Mr. Benning:

“Instead of being like my son, you reminded me of his kindness. Spread the light. The world needs more.”

Helping him changed something in me. It reminded me that compassion connects us, often in the smallest, most unexpected ways.

Pay it forward.