A Parking Space And A Smile

By joseph j. mazzella • January 25, 2026

I was running late. I was driving to a class to renew my CPR card that I needed to have for my job. As I pulled into the place where the training was being held I saw the parking lot was almost entirely full. There was one spot left and I headed towards it only to see another car coming towards it from the other direction. We both stopped and I saw the weary face of a young woman behind the wheel of the other car. I waved to her to go on into the spot while I backed up and pulled around the building to find another one.

By the time I had found a spot and got to the room the class had already started. I saw one seat still empty. It was beside the woman I had given the parking spot to. I sat down and she whispered how sorry she was for taking my spot. In her arms I saw a young baby. She said her sitter had cancelled and she couldn’t find another so here she was late to class with her baby in tow. I told her not to worry about it and looked down at the little angel in her arms.

The class was long but the baby stayed quiet until it was time to practice CPR on the plastic dummies. As soon as her Mom started to lay her down the little girl started to cry. I offered then to hold her while Mom took her turn on the practice dummy. I was a bit out of practice as all of my own kids were full grown. Yet, as I held the baby girl and rocked her in my arms she gave me the most beautiful, toothless smile. Her eyes sparkled and I could feel our spirits connect for a moment. I smiled back and then said a silent “Thank You” to God. I may have given up a parking spot but I got something wonderful and priceless in return.

Leo Buscaglia wrote: “Even the most insignificant act we perform will have some effect upon this world.” May you fill your life then with “insignificant acts.” May you fill your days with little acts of Love and Kindness that bring smiles into your heart and God’s world.

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