We live in a mean season these days. All notions of civility seem to have flown out the window as Americans increasingly feel empowered to unleash their inner jerk.

Which is why the Saturday front-page story by the Post-Dispatch's Aisha Sultan was so refreshing. The story presented a scenario tailor-made for the kinds of people who exploit bad situations to make them worse. Instead, a simple act of kindness helped a Rock Hill family work their way through a stressful and embarrassing moment and perhaps emerge feeling a little better about themselves and, perhaps, humanity.

Cynthia Tipton was dining at Bandana's restaurant in Rock Hill on Aug. 25 along with her father, daughter Sophie and son Noland. Noland, 10, has high-functioning autism, which means he can be relied upon much of the time to behave pretty much like other kids his age. The adventure comes with occasional public and very loud meltdowns, as happened at Bandana's.

Tipton worked steadily and patiently to calm Noland down. But it was exactly the kind of scene that typically prompts some restaurant patrons to complain, make snarky remarks or walk out in a huff. Maybe the family would be asked to leave, Tipton worried, bracing for the worst. It didn't come.

A waiter delivered a receipt to her table. Written anonymously on it were these extraordinary words: "Hi! We couldn't help but notice what a great mother you are and what a beautiful family you have. God bless." The message writer had paid the bill.

Readers tell us this story brought tears to their eyes. Perhaps that's because supportive actions and kind words are becoming rare in an age where overt, unfiltered meanness is just a tweet away. American politicians don't help as they seem to stretch the outrage envelope on an hourly basis with in-your-face commentary.

There's good reason to be concerned that America's children are getting the wrong message from adults about what it means to be a leader. At the same time, our children can surprise us with their own inventive ways to let their better selves surge forth.

Columnist Tony Messenger on Sunday offered the tale of Christopher Armitage, a 9-year-old with Down syndrome, who wanted badly to go play with other kids at a school playground. His father worried the boy might not keep up or, worse, would be ostracized by the others. But two older boys came rushing over, unprompted, and gave Christopher a high five. Then a whole group of kids welcomed him into their game.

Such gestures require so little effort. But they can resonate through society in big and transformative ways. How about you? Got what it takes to make someone else's world shine a little brighter?

REPRINTED FROM THE ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH