Stories of Kindness from Around the World

With Love From Your Beautiful Daughters

Many years ago I was in my sister in law's house on Christmas Eve. She was a single parent to two little girls aged about two and three. My only child at the time was the same age as her youngest. She loved our three girls to get dressed the same and she'd bought my daughter Nicola a little tartan dress similar to those she'd bought her children for Christmas. Nicola's needed hemmed up a little, Karen did this and I had called on Christmas Eve to collect it. I felt for my sister in law. There was no one there to buy her a gift from her children. I purchased a gift, wrapped it and pushed it down the side of her sofa assuming that the children would find it on Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, Karen telephoned me to thank me for our gifts. She never mentioned the hidden gift ... Read Full Story >>

1023 Reads

Forever Touched By Lighted Trees

Every time I see an outside evergreen decorated with lights, I remember the kindness of father-in-law's neighbors. A few years ago, Dad was in home hospice care during the holidays; confined to the back guest room turned medical center. His bed faced the neighbor's hedge of bushes and a huge evergreen. When the neighbors found out that was Dad's view, they decorated the tree with so many colored lights that it nearly lit up the whole backyard 🎄!!! No one else could really see or appreciate their tree of Light from that vantage point, except for Dad, lying in his bed, preparing to transition. Time slowed and everything became washed in the glow of Peace, as it does in those special moments of pivotal events. I am so grateful that Dad, and all of us who visited, had those Lights to help guide us thru a challenging time. Many thanks to each of you who ... Read Full Story >>

917 Reads

Playing Santa Is Our Gift to Each Other

I spent the afternoon with Mom wrapping presents for Christmas families. It took about 3 hours. The family room and dining room look like Santa's sleigh overturned here!

We have over done it...again. but it gives us so much joy! In one family, Mom is a domestic violence victim, so we have to meet her in a parking lot to deliver the gifts. Her current location is secure and secret. We brought presents, gift cards for dinner purchase and more. We hope it will take the burden off for a couple of days. We are so grateful they have let us into their lives to be able to share Christmas.

As I tell them, this is a very selfish act on our parts. We get so much out of doing this. It is what we give each other in my family for Christmas. We wouldn't have it any other way!

1012 Reads

The Power of a Thank You Note

My mom, who will soon be 90, was recovering from surgery, but she had a rough time of it. Her primary nurse, Debbie, was so dear and kind and my mom wrote her a very heartfelt and grateful thank you note when she was finally able to go home again. A month or so later, my mom took cookies for the staff as another little thank you. Debbie was there and took my mom aside to tell her a story: Debbie was ordering at a fast food restaurant and had her purse on the floor beside her. When she reached down to pay for her meal, the purse was gone. Everything. Car keys, house keys, credit cards, phone – well, you know, everything. Debbie told my mom, but look, here it is! I found it on the doorstep with a note that said, “I couldn’t steal this purse from such a wonderful ... Read Full Story >>

1820 Reads

Sunflowers to Smiles

I went to my local library and picked up the book, "Simple Giving", by Jennifer Iacovelli, and from there I read about this site. We have a freshman male, and a middle school girl in the house, so I got them involved. We read through some of the ideas and decided to print off smile cards.:)) We printed 10, then headed to a local flower shop. We told Ginny, at Ousterhout 's Flowers, that we wanted to randomly hand out a flower, with a smile card stapled to it. Ginny liked that idea and decided to also "Be Kind" by selling us 12 big, beautiful sunflowers at $25(my budget) instead of the $3/each!! Yay! The kids and I went for a walk down the Blvd. and randomly passed out these beautiful flowers, telling everyone that we hope their day was great! We had fun, and it felt great to give!    ... Read Full Story >>

1024 Reads

A Holiday Gift For Dad

While chatting with a cashier yesterday as I was purchasing a little tree, some lights, and decorations to put together for my Dad, he asked what I would be doing with this little tree. I explained that it was not for me, but for my Dad, as he no longer lived at home. The cashier just stopped and looked at me with the most compassionate and kindest look and shared with me that his Grandfather couldn't live in their home any longer either. He said his Grandfather was living now in a facility for those who had dementia and Alzheimer's. So I shared with him that my Dad was on the same journey. We talked about the difficult challenges that come with this relentless disease, not only for those with the illness, but for their families, as well. He had finished ringing up my purchases, but then he said, "Since this ... Read Full Story >>

1385 Reads

Kind Kevin

This story was shared by Mish after seeing it on the Love What Matters website: "I just wanted to give a shout-out to Roehler's Christmas Tree Farm. I took my son there for (what I thought was going to be) a 'quick purchase' from their pre-cut trees (already cut, drilled, & on stands in their barn). Well, as any parent of a child with autism will tell you, 'plans-schmans'. Apparently, my son had a thought in his head that we were going to go 'wander the fields admiring and comparing trees, then finally choose the premier tree—to which a man with a saw would come teetering out of the woods and cut it down. Then ,we’d hoist it on our backs so heftily, and march in from the field, covered in sawdust and sweat; tying it to the top of our car with pride, and driving home whilst singing carols'. Real life: we ... Read Full Story >>

1530 Reads

Chocolates for a Nonprofit Radio Station

There is a nonprofit radio station I listen to and recently they held a competition (they do them daily) and on this particular morning I won a book and CD! I have yet to pick up my prize.

But here's the kindness:

I decided to gift them all a little something when I go in to collect my prize. So I bought this, a huge box of chocolates to share.

I admire and am deeply grateful to all the staff and radio announcers who work there. They are not paid. At all. Nothing. They do this out of their own goodwill and love. Hours and hours.

I hope these chocolates add a little sweetness to their day and make them realise how truly grateful we all are. 💜
 

929 Reads

Need A Push?

While walking home, with a Christmas box from my work hanging in a bag at my steering wheel, I saw an elderly lady sitting on her cart. I had to ask "are you ok?" I don't know what she said, but she seemed to understand my gesture. She needed to go a certain direction. I have no idea what language she spoke, but I figured out she did not understand English or any other language I comprehend. It was starting to get dark and a little chilly, and I knew she needed help and that her legs weren't carrying her that far. She tried to gesture to some people and a young lady even stopped to try to communicate with her, but nobody seemed to know her language. We eventually figured out that she spoke Arabic, but another man who stopped to help didn't speak it either. Finally we somehow managed to figure ... Read Full Story >>

1457 Reads

A Small Christmas Miracle During a Challenging Time

Every time I see an outside evergreen decorated with lights, I remember the kindness of my father-in-law's neighbors. A few years ago, Dad was in at home hospice care during the holidays, confined to the back guest room turned medical center. His bed faced the neighbor's hedge of bushes and a huge evergreen. When the neighbors found out that was Dad's view, they decorated the tree with so many colored lights that it nearly lit up the whole backyard 🎄!!! No one else could really see or appreciate their tree of Light from that vantage point, except for Dad, lying in his bed, preparing to transition. Time slowed and everything became washed in the glow of Peace, as it does in those special moments of pivotal events. Grateful that Dad, and all of us who visited, had those Lights to help guide us thru a challenging time. Many thanks to each of you who choose ... Read Full Story >>

2400 Reads

Peace in the Neighborhood

One of our neighbors is a home full of young adults. In the past, the police have visited there often for what seemed to be domestic violence issues. It was mostly yelling, nothing too physical, but definite verbal threats. When they were not drinking, there was more quiet and less noise. My wife has done several kind deeds for them as of late. She's brought them homemade bread, and when they have needed something, she's been there to lend them whatever it is they've needed. Since her gifts of kindness to our neighbors, there has been less shouting, and more peace. Then today, I came home to find a card, along with a bag of lemons. It was from these neighbors! They thanked us for our generosity and kindness. I can't help but think that my wife's kind acts are transforming a family that needed it most. One never knows what another is going through ... Read Full Story >>

1422 Reads

Thinking of Others While Staying Safe From Fire

Sitting through this fire (Southern California) is making us stir crazy. Can't really leave, because of our dog, Lucy. And, if you are in town, you need to stay indoors. So, we're going nuts.

Today my wife and I went out to run some errands, and we saw a lot of homeless folks. I kind of forgot about them during this fire. So, went by the 99 Cent Store today after asking a homeless man what those on the streets need.

Made bags with H2O, Bandaids, tooth brushes, snacks, socks, and hats. None would take my air masks, though.

There's always someone who is in worse conditions than we are, and it's good to get out and help. Keeps you from going stir crazy, as well. 😊

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother
 

1317 Reads

People Really Are That Nice

I decided to crochet a baby blanket for someone I met who was expecting. I always gift in nice baby gift bag with tissue paper, nice baby card she can use, a little baby poem, washing instructions, a smile card, and a peace dove enclosed. She looked at me and said "Are you for real? Are you an angel that fell off a cloud? People just aren't that nice!"

I laughed and we hugged. I told her about how KindSpring transforms people and that everyone at KindSpring IS that nice. 😋

She said her husband didn't believe her when she told him someone was making a baby blanket for her and wouldn't accept payment! She brought us a huge box of yummy cookies and a beautiful little statue with "friends forever" imprinted on it and invited us to her Christmas Eve open house!

Twice she said "people aren't this nice." I hope she checks out our website and realizes yes, people are! ❤️

 

938 Reads

When The Patients Asked For Help With Their Beautiful Idea

My beautiful 18-year-old daughter was admitted to psychiatric care. I visited her every day twice a day. She was the only patient who had visitors at every session; some were lucky to have a visitor once a week.  I was asked by the patients to prepare a Christmas basket on their behalf for the nursing staff, and I was given enough money to put together a luxury basket. My colleague Olive came into my classroom when I was attempting to make the basket while students were out. She could see I was exhausted and unwell as I struggled putting the basket together. Olive took over and made a great job of the basket then carried it to my car. When I brought the basket to the patients, they were absolutely delighted. I was there when they presented it to the nursing staff; they'd never been given anything like this before and they ... Read Full Story >>

3397 Reads

You Deserve A Treat!

At work today I had a very busy day. My pallet order came in and I have to scan, and stock it. I was feeling overwhelmed. A lady came over and said, "Am I close to the northern beans?" I stopped what I was doing and told her, "Yes, it's in aisle 5. You're 3 aisles away from it." She said, "Thanks! Well, you deserve a treat. Merry Christmas!" That little candy cane she gave me just did so much. It got me thru the rest of my day.

Later another customer said to me, "Wow you keep the store nice and neat." Those words helped me feel appreciated. Knowing that I made a difference to those 2 customers today was great.

That gave me a great idea. Around holiday time workers in retail have so much to do and often feel stressed out. I'm going to get a box of those little candy canes and hand them out to workers and maybe some strangers to see what opportunity opens up. 

1342 Reads

The Benefits of Giving To Both The Giver And Receiver

My 19 year old son has been suffering from anxiety and depression for 3 years. Thankfully he's had great support and is making good progress and is on his way back to a healthy life. As he was out of school, we both got involved in helping out our local foodbank. Because he had anxiety, he worked in the background, in the warehouse. However it opened his eyes and heart to the need and suffering of others and it helped him. As a result of our connections through the foodbank, we discovered that our local Salvation Army had a huge list of children who were in need of Christmas presents. Last year, my son, his older brother, and myself put in some money and we bought as many toys as we could and delivered them to the Salvation Army. This act of kindness, and the gratitude he received from the people at ... Read Full Story >>

2103 Reads
  • Posted by maryneilson
  • Dec 14, 2017
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Help During A Cold And Snowy Morning

I got up at 4 am to receive a call from my daughter who needed my help getting home from the snowy mountains. After I helped her get a cab, I noticed that I was out of cigarettes so I bundled up and went to the gas station up the street to buy some. As I got there, I saw a young man wrapped in a very thin blanket, trying to keep out of the snow. I went in and bought my smokes, then as I walked out, this gentleman asked me for a cigarette. I gave him three and left, but suddenly I realized I had to do something for him. I couldn't just go home, so I went back and asked him if he wanted a coffee. He said "yes please" so I went in and got him an extra large cup and something to eat. Then I gave him whatever ... Read Full Story >>

2178 Reads

It All Started With Her Young Son's Bicycle Tire

When you are kind, the world becomes kind. This was my son's experience last week. He went out biking but as soon as he was out on the track, the tire gave way. While he was struggling, a stranger stopped by to help him carry the bike home and while they were doing so, a lady in a car saw them and offered to give them a ride home. These two encounters left my son in awe for the world. He was beaming and couldn't stop saying: "People are really good!"

He in turn wanted to do something nice the next evening. On our return home from the temple, we picked up two boxes of doughnuts, one for our friend's daughter and the other for my son. As soon as my husband and I handed him the doughnuts, he went around the car park offering one to each cleaner and helper.

That spontaneous act of kindness made us parents very happy. :)

4806 Reads

Overweight Baggage

I was at the airport a few days ago, to take a flight from Pune to Bangalore. I was at the check in counter in good time, there was absolutely no queue. I unfortunately was overweight (still working on living a minimalistic life =P) and had to step away to go reshuffle my luggage between check-in and hand carry. By the time I got back to the counter, there was a line of about 20 people before me.

 As I stood there, the gentleman who assists lifting bags onto the weigh scale at the counter (who'd assisted me a little while before), made eye contact with me and we smiled at each other. He then came up to me, took my bag to another counter, weighed it for me to check if all was good. He then came to me, took my bag went to the desk, got me checked in and handed me my boarding pass! All without saying anything :) He really didn't need to do that...It made me smile all the way to the flight :)
 

883 Reads

Nursing Home Love Connection

There is a lady at the nursing home where my Dad is, and one day she stopped as she rolled her wheelchair down the hallway to tell me she loved my sweater. We talked for awhile and I thanked her, and since then every time I see her we beam at each other and take each other's hand. She's just a doll, and has the dearest smile, and today as I was leaving, I saw her in the lobby. We grabbed each other's hands and smiled. I told her how good it was to see her again, and she said the same, and as I got ready to leave, she told me to be careful and to get home safe, and then she said "I love you." Well, my heart was so full I could've burst, and I told her I loved her too. I could tell she was worried that I ... Read Full Story >>

1482 Reads




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