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 come from the hospital, and the mom had carefully budgeted enough money for the bus ride home. She spent whatever 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. But I’ll never forget the look of gratitude in that mom’s eyes and the little girl’s smile.

Sometimes, even the smallest gestures can mean the world.