From time to time, little things, nice things, happen to many of us, things that make one realize there really are some good people in this weary old world.

One such thing happened to my Incomparable First Wife and me very recently. It was a Thursday, and we were in the Emerald City — AKA Greenville — coming out of the building where my dermatologist practices.

That appointment had gone well, so our focus was on something very important. Very. That is, where to eat lunch.

Even though it was only 11 a.m., we had both been up a long time. Our days start very early. (That’s another story.) So. Since we weren’t very far from the K & W Cafeteria, we opted for that dining venue.

When we walked into the cafeteria we found we weren’t the only early bird lunch time patrons.

A man, maybe in his fifties or so, and I exchanged brief pleasantries, and my response to his “How are you?” was my standard “I’m glad to be.” His smile indicated he liked that. Then he went over to the takeout line, and we began our slow progress toward the beginning of the serving line.

Just before Sally and I reached the end of the line, where the lady calculates the bills, I noticed the man I first saw when we entered. I think I probably thought that maybe he had changed his mind about takeout.

I waited a moment for the end-of-the-line lady to hand me our bill, which is paid for at the register near the exit as you leave.

She said, “That man has taken care of your bill,” or words to that effect.

Well, now. It took me a moment or two to process what she said. Then, I looked up quickly and saw this good man heading for the exit. In a very strong voice I said, “Thank you! Thank you.”

He smiled, gave a little wave, and was gone.

We had never seen him before, didn’t know his name, or anything about him, except that one of the floor attendants, who had seen what happened, told us that he comes in from time to time, and sometimes does for others what he did for us.

A selfless act by a total stranger.

As I said at first, from time to time, little things, nice things, happen to many of us, things that make one realize there really are some good people in this weary old world.

‘Til next weekend.