I stopped by McDonald’s for a quick bite and overheard a mom talking to her little girl.

The girl said softly, “Can we eat here, please?”

They bought one hamburger and sat at the table next to mine. The mom then pulled a thermos out of her bag and poured the girl what looked like tea.

I overheard bits of their story — they had just come from the hospital, and the mom had carefully budgeted just enough money for the bus ride home. She spent what little was left on one hamburger because her daughter had never been to McDonald’s.

I finished my coffee, went back to the counter, and bought a Happy Meal. I placed it on their table and quickly left before they could say much. The little girl looked at me and said…

“…Thank you,” her voice barely above a whisper, but her eyes shining as if she’d just been handed the world.