There is an article about a woman whose wedding was cancelled two weeks before the date. She and her ex fiance had been planning the $30,000 event for two years when their decision to marry came to an abrupt halt. The article respected her privacy by not divulging the reasons. But one can assume they were not made easily. 

Since the venue, caterers and decorators were under non refundable contracts, she decided to invite the homeless. 

Two buses arrived at local shelters, and brought a hundred and fifty guests to the Ritz for dinner. Including cake. 

Imagine if you can the faces of people for whom this event was an unexpected windfall. Make that a driving gale. When life has demoted you to the soup line, and trash picking, what would it be like to be served on white china and crystal? Asked by four servers whether you prefer the champagne or Chardonnay? Invited to enjoy the music without clearing your own plate? 

Giving to people who have absolutely no means for repaying you is not the norm.

And yet. 

The generosity that is bestowed on babies is renowned. When women came to the baby shower for my twins they knew neither their names nor whether they would grow up to be contributing members of society. Yet the gifts poured in. One friend commented that if buying one adorable purple sleeper was fun, buying two was more so. 

Online giving has become as easy as texting a few digits. After such disasters as have walloped the planet in recent years, money has flowed freely and instantly from people whose hearts are moved. Surely there can be no expectation of either repayment or thanks. 

Even the birds outside my window bless me with their songs, without the merest wish that I might repay them. 

If you remember to look for it, benevolence is all around us. It is as ubiquitous as the flowers in summer.