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Julie and Steven McMaster


My Sunday blogs are traditionally about someone(s) that we can and should all look up to and admire. These tributes are not limited to the U.S., as the traits that these individuals have demonstrated are universal. Today, I am commemorating the generosity of Julie and Steven McMaster, who are from down under, New South Wales, Australia.

From Epoch Inspired:

In February, Julie and Steven McMaster were celebrating 20 years of marriage at a Lord Howe Island restaurant  and happened to be seated next to the elderly pair who were celebrating their 60th anniversary. Julie, 45, began chatting with the older woman and found her to be really friendly and lovely. When the mother of two teenage children told the elderly woman that she and her husband were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary that day, the woman shared that they were celebrating their 60th anniversary. She also revealed that they had visited Lord Howe Island eight times and had honeymooned there 60 years ago.

“They just seem like such a lovely couple,” Julie said. “I just wanted to do something that would hopefully make it just a little bit more special.”

Witnessing their love for each other struck a chord with her. She told her husband that she wanted to anonymously treat the elderly couple to their 60th-anniversary dinner, a kind gesture that she hoped would make the celebration sweet and unforgettable.

Steven was onboard and considered it a great idea.

Later that evening, Julie approached the waitstaff and arranged to cover the check. To her surprise, she learned that it was not just the couple’s 60th anniversary, but also the elderly woman’s birthday. Soon, candles were lit and the crowd in the restaurant were singing “Happy Birthday.” It was not until then that they found out that the elderly woman’s name was Helen.

The next day, although Helen and her husband, Robert, had left, there was a handwritten note waiting for the McMasters with the restaurant staff. While Julie and her husband had intended to pay anonymously for the couple’s meal, it seems that Helen and Robert had found out about their kind gesture. In the note, they thanked the couple for their “lovely surprise,” on their special celebratory evening.

Generosity … a good thing.

Generosity to strangers … a better thing.

Generosity to strangers anonymously … the best thing.

Kudos to Julie and Steven. Hopefully we can imitate them.

6/5/22

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