I can’t stop smiling, even hours later. It’s one of those mornings where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. My weekend started as usual—waiting for the Sainsbury’s delivery. They come around 4–5 times a week, and over time, I’ve gotten to know them, their names, their favorite jokes, the little quirks that make them human. So, I’ve taken a small habit upon myself: making coffee, or sometimes hot chocolate, for whoever delivers my groceries. It’s a tiny gesture, but it’s my way of saying “thank you” for the heavy lifting, the early mornings, the smiles that brighten my day even before I’ve had mine.
Today, I woke up a bit groggy, dragging myself into the kitchen to brew my own coffee. But when the doorbell rang, I wasn’t expecting what happened next. Dorian, from Sainsbury’s Nine Elms, was at the door with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand—just for me. “Thought you might like one this morning,” he said, smiling under his mask. My eyes welled up instantly. A simple cup of coffee, shared back to me, sent a wave of warmth straight to my heart.
I felt tears of joy prickling the corners of my eyes, and I couldn’t stop grinning. It was one of those grins that spreads across your whole face, the kind that makes your cheeks hurt and your heart swell. Dorian didn’t need to do this. He had a job to do, deliveries to make, a route to finish. Yet, in a small act of kindness, he made me feel seen, appreciated, and remembered.
It struck me then—kindness doesn’t have to be grand to matter. It doesn’t need to be a massive gesture, a life-changing donation, or a headline-worthy story. Sometimes, it’s a cup of coffee, a smile, a nod, a few kind words that remind someone they’re human, they matter, and they’re not alone.
I watched Dorian walk back to his van, and I felt lighter than I had all week. My spirits lifted, my worries faded, and for a few minutes, the world felt softer, warmer, and infinitely more hopeful. That small cup of coffee didn’t just make my morning—it made my week, my month even. I thought about how much joy one simple act can carry, and how the chain of kindness never ends—it only grows as people pass it forward.
So here I am, telling this story with a big, silly grin on my face. A little kindness can ripple through our days in ways we never expect. And Dorian—if you ever read this—thank you. You made a mundane day magical, and reminded me that joy often comes in small, unexpected packages. Today, a delivery guy brought me coffee. But more than that, he brought a reminder: there’s still goodness in the world, one cup at a time.