The Hardee's Man

Inspired by a true story
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The delicious aroma of sausage biscuits filled the car that was pulling out of the Hardees parking lot. Traffic was almost non existence in the early morning hours as he drove to his nearby destination, the local hospital. He parked his car as close to the main entrance as possible then reached for the bulging grocery bag before locking the doors.
The automatic doors gingerly opened as he made his way to the elevator. When the doors opened he was greeted by the staff that congregated by the nurses station. They smiled and waved at the familiar sight of the elderly gentleman as walked past with his bag of kindness. His weekly Saturday visits had one simple goal, to hand out a small biscuit to those who stayed by the side of their loved ones laid up in the hospital.
Softly he knocked on the first door and quietly entered the room. He greeted the young woman who sat by her mom’s side with a friendly good morning. As he handed her the warm food he said, “God bless you” then slowly withdrew himself closing the door lightly behind him. The daughter was completely taken by surprise at this random act of kindness. The sudden stay in the hospital brought on by her mom’s bout with pneumonia had caught her off guard. It had been a long night and she was beginning to feel the effects of no food. He had no idea just how much his small and unexpected deed meant to her.
The next unprepared recipient was another young woman who had sat up all night with her husband as he battled for his life. He had been shot in the line of duty a few days prior and the doctors were unsure whether he would pull through. Just a couple of hours ago she had been given the news that he was over the worst and would pull through. As she gently cradled his hand in hers she heard a soft knock at the door and saw a elderly man with a gentle face enter the room. He reached into the grocery bag he was carrying and took out a hot sausage biscuit . As he offered it to the astonished woman he whispered, “God bless you” then without another word turned and left the room. Her eyes were moist as she unwrapped the simple gift and she smiled for the first time since receiving the horrible news of her husband’s accident.
Room by room this grey haired angel of mercy delivered a small token of kindness followed by a heartfelt, “God bless you”. Finally with his empty bag in tow he entered the elevator, as he pushed the button for the ground floor he smiled. Though the people he helped might not remember his face the kind deed would forever be etched into their heart. In their time of need someone reached out to them and reminded them that kindness still existed in the world.