00:00A Texas woman was entering a restaurant when she noticed an older lady coming up behind her.
00:05She politely held the door, never imagining it would set off a life-changing chain of events.
00:10But, when she heard the other woman's remark, she had to speak up.
00:14Brooke Ochoa of Louise, Texas, was entering a restaurant for lunch when she saw an older
00:18lady approaching from afar. Brooke decided to bestow some southern hospitality on a fellow
00:23citizen, and the 30-year-old patiently waited so she could hold the door for the other woman.
00:28While some might call the gesture an act of kindness, it was just good manners and a show
00:33of respect. What happened next, however, is another story. After the two women entered the restaurant,
00:39Brooke, who was by herself, heard the other woman make a remark to the waitress, according to NY Daily
00:45News. Although she initially hesitated, Brooke was compelled to speak up. What unfolded from there
00:51was recalled in a Facebook post by Brooke, which quickly went viral. And it's easy to see why.
00:56She was very thankful and sweet, Brooke wrote, explaining how the woman reacted to her politely
01:02holding the door as she entered the unnamed restaurant. She then told the waitress,
01:07table for one, Brooke recalled. After hearing those words, Brooke admitted that she initially
01:12waited and hesitated, before deciding to walk over and bestow a true act of kindness on the other
01:17woman. I'm eating by myself too, would you like to have lunch together? Brooke recalled saying to the
01:23woman as she extended an invitation to dine with her, according to Today. Not only did she take Brooke
01:29up on her offer, but the lady who Brooke learned was named Dolores, was ecstatic. After being seated
01:35together, the two talked at length during their meal, according to ABC6. Their conversation revealed
01:41the sad details of Dolores' life and the difficult time she was going through. Come to find out, she spent
01:47the
01:47last decade living with her mom, who recently passed away, and her aunt, who recently was put into a
01:52nursing home, Brooke wrote. She has been having a hard time being alone. Dolores was extremely grateful
01:59to have someone to talk to. She just kept smiling and saying thank you for listening to me, which made
02:04me smile too, Brooke admitted. Her words healed my heart just as much as I healed her lonely one,
02:09she added, calling her impromptu invitation, by far the best decision she had made all year.
02:15But, their story doesn't end there. Brooke and Dolores both enjoyed the encounter so much that
02:20they decided to have lunch every Thursday from that point on. It's unknown how many lunches that
02:25turned out to be, however. Brooke later updated her post, revealing that Dolores passed away soon
02:30after, making the story all the sweeter. Thanks to the love and compassion Brooke showed her,
02:36Dolores was able to escape the loneliness she had been feeling at the end of her life,
02:40as well as touch many lives in a positive way. With millions of likes and hundreds,
02:45of thousands of shares and comments, the brief encounter struck a chord across the country,
02:49as it reminded us that a true act of kindness can pave the way for a much-needed friendship.
02:55Two people, who may be complete opposites, can forge a meaningful relationship with one another.
03:00All it takes is reaching out when someone appears in need. The best present we can give is often our
03:06presence. An ear to listen doesn't cost a thing, but the results can be priceless. Brooke found this out
03:12when a little voice insider prompted a simple offer that turned out to be exactly what both women
03:16needed, just in the nick of time. That's the power of God. Neither knew Dolores' days were numbered as
03:23they sat down together. But we shouldn't have to know such a thing to extend a small part of
03:27ourselves to another person. It's all about opening doors when we are gifted with the opportunity to
03:32be the answer to someone's prayers. Brooke showed her to call when she was compelled to offer a stranger a
03:38little company. In honor of Dolores, let's hope others read and remember this story and are willing
03:43to do the same.
