Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Waiting for the Train

Last weekend, I was blessed with an opportunity to serve as a volunteer at a meditation retreat in Maryland.  I don't have a car and the closest Amtrak station is about 30 minutes away from the actual site so I wasn't sure how I would get there....I started thinking that maybe it wouldn't be possible and after a really long week, thought that maybe I shouldn't volunteer at all.  But I went ahead and posted a request for a ride on the ride share board.  A few days later, an individual I had never met replied that he would be able to pick me up and drop me off at the station. He was also planning on serving but said he would wait until my train arrived before driving out there. How kind of this person whom I've never even met, I thought to myself.  My heart warmed and the stress I ... Read Full Story >>

Found Before Lost

On my "Lifelist" is the goal of visiting all the states in the U.S. Several years ago, my husband and I were traveling in the Northwest.  While we were enjoying Portland, we were staying in a Bed and Breakfast there. While carrying in some of the luggage, a cash belt containing over $300 fell onto the pavement on the road.  There was no identification in the pocket and no way for us to be able to claim it, either.   We went off to drive around and enjoy the city, totally oblivious to our loss. Later on, when I checked my phone, there was a voicemail message from our host at the B&B: "I have something that belongs to you, and you're going to be mighty happy," was the message. What???  We got back to our room and there was the money belt on the bed with all the cash in it.  My husband ... Read Full Story >>

Taking Smiles To The Army

I received a deck of Smile cards and took them to the army base near my home. I had to go there for blood tests for my diabetes, digestive conditions, and for refills of the many medicines I take. 

End On A Good Note

One fine afternoon I had walked down to the nearby grocery store. On my way home I found a man sitting alone with a disheartened look in his eyes. 

The Monkey Lives On!

Coming home after a work's evening out I lost my purse. I guessed it had fallen out my bag as I was being dropped off. While it was probably very close to my house I couldn't find it and had to cancel my debit cards, etc.  I'd had the purse for ten years as it was a Christmas present. It was a bright, red leather, Cheeky Monkey purse, so probably not very grown up for a 36 year old but I was very upset to have lost him!   Everyone I spoke to said I might get the purse back eventually but the money and vouchers in there would very likely disappear. I had therefore written off the contents of the purse and was even considering whether to move on and go "grown-up" when I was seeking a replacement.    I came home late the next night and my monkey purse was on my mat! ... Read Full Story >>

Hi, Miss Margie!

A few of us were walking our dogs around the neighborhood yesterday. 

A Harvest Of Books

I organized a book harvest for our local primary school - which also happens to be my old school! 

The Magical Twenty Dollar Bill

Recently, my husband was on a long drive and picked up a young hitch-hiker. 

They had plenty of time to talk and my husband discovered the young man had little money and was hoping to get a job in the city. My husband shared his lunch with him, bought him a coffee and when they arrived in the city, he gave him bus fare and twenty dollars to help him out.  A simple act of kindness.

Helping A Young Blind Man

The other day I was at Subway, grabbing lunch with some friends.  I received my order, sat it on a table, and went to the bathroom to wash my hands. On my way back I noticed a young man struggling to get his drink. He was spilling everything and making a mess. He was looking for the lids but reaching in the wrong trays and dropping straws and napkins everywhere.  As I got close to him I notice why. He was blind.  I saw that he had still not gotten his drink so I went over and offered to help. I asked him what drink he wanted. Then, instead of getting the drink for him, I took his hands and guided him through the process.  After we were done I took him by the hand and led him to the table. I asked him if he needed anything else and he said he was ... Read Full Story >>

Gift of Time, Geese, and the Gentleman's Stories

I often visit a local conservation area where there are a lot of Canadian geese and ducks. It is a spot where everyone comes to feed them. This spot attracts families, the elderly, and a wide variety of people who enjoy life's simple pleasures.

I was there on a beautiful spring day and came across an elderly gentleman feeding the birds some corn. Instead of just walking by, I stopped to talk to him and the smile on his face truly brightened my day.

Life moves fast. It's too short not to spend time listening to the stories that others have to share. Thanks to the elderly gentleman, the geese, and the gift of listening, my day was completely uplifted.

Gardens Of Art

Our neighbor grows the most amazing gardens! They are real works of art. The beauty she creates spills out even to her neighbor's yards with amazing displays of color. 

Springtime Surprises

I got two bunches of daffodils today and decided to surprise some neighbors.

Buttermilk Memories

When I was visiting an elderly neighbor today she asked me what I had put in the muffins I baked for her.

When I mentioned buttermilk as one of the ingredients her eyes lit up! She said, "My son never brings me buttermilk from the store when he does my grocery shopping. My kids never liked buttermilk when they were growing up, but I loved it. When I grew up on the farm we always had fresh buttermilk and cream."  

"Just A Smile, Sister!"

I was walking along a sidewalk in the city. A bit of a distance away I could see a woman walking along with a big signboard around her neck. I was naturally curious about what it said, so I deliberately slowed my pace so I could see.

Blessing The Silent Majority

I gave some money to the old man who sells posters on a footpath I use. 

Help Along The Road

I was barely getting by financially when my pickup truck sputtered to a stop by the side of the road.  

A Day Full Of Blessings

Some days are just so full of blessings you don't know what to do! Today was one of those. My neighbor needed to avoid a utility shut-off, so I helped her round up the money to cover it. It was mutually beneficial and not really a favor but she appreciated the help. (I bought some stuff from her that she had no use for but I would have probably purchased anyway.)      When I got home I found a wet $20 bill plastered to the ground in the street.    Another friend had coupons and rewards and treated me to a good movie and wonderful dinner at a little cafe. At the diner, I saw a man and his three adorable little girls having a frugal meal. He looked a little stressed, so I used the $20 bill I had found and paid for their meal.    The waitress was so surprised by this that she ... Read Full Story >>

Breakfast On The Streets

I used to travel by train to my work place. The railway station was about ten minutes away from my home. 

Angel in an Audi Quattro

My car has been giving me fits lately. Dying right in the middle of the road for no discernible reason, I checked out by my mechanic-- to the tune of $283 two weeks ago-- but it continues to stop at odd and wondrous times.  No sputtering, no chugging, just stopping.  Today, I had to go to the office store. It's close by, so I thought I would risk it, and if that didn't cause it to die, I would go to the pharmacy to return some old prescriptions.  The office store was no problem, however, just as I turned the corner to go into the pharmacy parking lot, the Gracemobile died.  I tried starting it again, and unlike other times, it didn't restart.  I was nine feet from the intersection, so I put on my hazard lights to make sure I wouldn't get hit by an unsuspecting car rounding the corner.  I ... Read Full Story >>

You Could Be My Son

The other day I was in town with my daughter and we saw this man sitting on the ground, looking sad and like he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Before I could say anything my daughter asked if we could give him some money. (He had a hat on the ground with some coins in it.)    So, I gave her some change. At the same time an elderly gentleman bent down towards the man, said some words, and gave him some money.    I was very much touched by the gentleness of the gesture. It was as if the older man was saying, "I am helping you because you could be my son."    It was a very hot day, which is not very normal in our little town. We were going to the supermarket and my daughter asked me if we could get some water and something for the man to eat. ... Read Full Story >>