There I was, quietly sitting at breakfast in Hampton Beach and as I just wiled away my time my eye caught sight of several – I seem to recall five – lovely ladies sitting several tables away.

Enjoying each other’s company, they were likely keeping a weekly arrangement to get together and chat about good and bad times.

I don’t know why but seeing the dears made me miss my mom hard and I felt a strong urge to pick up their check. I don’t know the ladies but their pleasing disposition comforted me. I didn’t want to bother them but I just did it.

The thought occurred to me that leaving the restaurant and seeing the small group, I suppose, for the last time in my life, there was going to be an emptiness inside me.

But leave I had to – I had things to do. But I got the urge from somewhere to leave behind a good deed. It crossed my mind to settle their restaurant bill and leave it at that.

I thought too that when you do a good deed then do it without any presumption of anything but maybe thanks. Yes, just a smile of gratitude would do me fine.

Of course, the ladies would be taken aback and pleased at my gesture. It did cross my mind to explain why I wanted to cover the cost. I would tell the ladies the truth.

So, settling my own bill, I got up and left my table. I strolled past several tables towards where they were sitting. The ladies were a little surprised and enquiring as I interrupted their conversation.

Respectfully, I told them that seeing them had raised my spirits as they had reminded me of my mom. I explained that I had lost my mom a while back

‘Something about seeing you made me miss her this morning so I’m getting your check.’

The lady at the far end of the small group stood and with her arms opened wide said softly, ‘Come here, son. I lost my son and I really needed this.’ And then she gave me a mom hug that I needed so badly and I gave her a son hug that she needed. We are all so connected.