Send this page to someone via email

WATCH ABOVE: A Fort Worth waitress with a knack for random acts of kindness has touched the lives of a couple in grief. The pair took to Facebook – thinking she deserved a little recognition. Andrea Lucia reports.

TORONTO – A grieving Texas couple have been given a reason to smile again after a waitress’ random act of kindness.

Kayla Lane works at the West Side Cafe in Fort Worth and has her share of regulars. When Debbie and Shaun Riddle sat down at a table Thursday, she remembered they had recently had a baby girl and asked about her.

“They kind of [looked] at each other and got silent,” she told KTVT . She certainly didn’t expect the answer she got.

“We said, well, she passed away four weeks ago,” Shaun Riddle explained. “And she immediately [said] ‘Oh my gosh! I’m sorry!'” Tweet This

Story continues below advertisement

Baby Glory was just nine weeks old when she didn’t wake up from a nap in early May. Debbie and Shaun, along with their three other children, still don’t know why.

Lane said she felt horrible for asking. At the end of the couple’s meal, Lane slipped them a message on their receipt.

“Your ticket has been paid for,” their bill read. “We’re terribly sorry for your loss, God Bless – the West Side.” Tweet This

“I was just shocked. And I was like no, no, no,” Shaun recounted. “And she said, no, no, don’t worry. The company took care of it.”

The couple was so moved by the act of kindness that they turned to Facebook to share their experience.

“We hear so much negativity on the news and so that is why I felt led to share this story in hopes that Kayla and this restaurant will get some good recognition,” Debbie said in a post that’s been shared nearly 2,000 times and liked over 2,500 times at this writing.

As it turns out, Lane had lied to them. She covered the cost out of her own pocket. In fact, it’s a bit of a habit. She said she’s picked up tabs for military, police officers and firemen.

Story continues below advertisement

“I feel privileged that I’m able to do it,” she admitted to Andrea Lucia.

Privileged to make a difference. And, for many, it works.

“We were grateful to see that there are good people in the world and that people want to help,” Shaun said.