Well...I've heard of meter maids...how about meter fairies? Really. Read this news clip.
"Business owners in Miami's trendy Coconut Grove neighborhood needed a superhero to come rescue them from a deluge of parking tickets, and a superhero is precisely what they got. Meet Xavier Cortes, Miami's first "parking meter fairy." Donning a pink wig, mask, tutu, wings and skates, Cortes travels up and down the block feeding quarters into parking meters that are about to expire. Cortes is employed by Coconut Grove's local retailers, who claim they were losing business because customers were getting too many parking fines. The Venezuelan got the job by responding to an ad in the local newspaper. Cortes is also an artist with a theater background, and he doesn't seem to mind his unique costume. The idea has been a big hit with the area's visitors and law enforcement alike. "No problem exists between the Miami Parking Authority and the Meter Fairy," said the Parking Authority's Art Noriega. "It's a peaceful coexistence."
Wow...every shopper's dream who has ever had to feed the meter. I've been the recipient of more than one "citation" for having my car occupy a space longer than the alloted time for which I had paid. To think that someone would have a job walking the streets and pop quarters into the machine so that shoppers could avoid parking tickets? Wow indeed! Why would someone do that? We all wonder what the catch to such nice behavior would be. Right? Oh...well obviously...it's the merchants who provide such kindness... and why? They prefer that our money be spent in their stores rather than city hall.
I wonder how often people do nice things...just because. How about you? When was the last time you sweetened someone's life for no reason...just because. Maybe you fixed breakfast for your spouse or family...or gave a nice card...or sent flowers to someone special...or called someone just to tell them you appreciate them. If you haven't...do it. Maybe even drop a quarter in a strangers meter. :-) Now...that would be a mind blower wouldn't it?
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
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