Massachusetts Sushi Shop’s Small Act of Kindness Becomes Priceless Memory

Even the smallest act of kindness can end up meaning far more than the person offering it will ever know.

I recently came across a Facebook post from SouthCoast resident Angela Locke about an experience she had at 168 Sushi in Fairhaven. What began as a story about ordering a bowl of miso soup quickly became something much deeper, and by the time I finished reading it, I’ll admit it got me teary-eyed.

About eight months ago, Locke's nana was nearing the end of her life. During those difficult final weeks, Locke and her sister Juliette spent time beside her at the nursing home. One cold winter night, Locke stopped at 168 Sushi shortly before closing hoping a warm bowl of miso soup might bring a little comfort.

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One More Bowl Before Closing

Locke had already picked up her order when her sister texted asking if she could get a soup, too. She apologetically asked the man working at the restaurant if he could make another. Only then did Locke realize the soup wasn't simply being scooped from a pot that had been sitting there all day. It was prepared to order.

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The restaurant was already being cleaned for the night, but instead of telling her they were closing, he insisted on making it. Locke stood there watching as he chopped ingredients, fired the burners back up and prepared more food while the rest of the restaurant was being cleaned around him.

"He didn’t know what the girl standing in his restaurant was going through, or how much we needed that soup in that very moment, but he chose kindness anyway," Locke wrote.

A Bowl of Soup She'll Never Forget

Locke eventually met her sister at their nana's bedside. The two sat quietly on her bed while she slept, talking softly so their nana would know they were there as they simultaneously ate their miso soup. Sadly, It would be the last night the sisters would ever see their nana.

Fairhaven's 168 Sushi & Kitchen Restaurant

That's what makes this one hit so hard. To the person working at 168 Sushi that night, it may have simply been staying a few extra minutes to make one more order. To Locke and her sister, it became part of one of the most meaningful final memories they would ever have with someone they loved.

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Locke said her nana raised her and was essentially a parent to her, making the loss especially profound. Now, whenever she has a warm bowl of miso soup, she's brought back to that winter night with her sister and her nana.

Kindness doesn't have to be anything extravagant. Sometimes, it's simply making one more bowl of soup for someone in need of some comfort.