Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Man in the Rain

One rainy night I was driving along a lonely highway. Ahead of me,  I saw a man, shoulders hunched, walking rapidly along the side of the road. It was pouring rain and I slowed down to avoid splashing him as I went by.  He misunderstood, thought I was offering a ride, and ran towards my car. He was very tall, had a full beard, and he scared me. I stepped on the gas pedal to leave quickly, and I saw the look of total dispair in his eyes.   Suddenly, all fear was gone and I backed up and unlocked my car door, praying this was not the biggest mistake in my life but somehow knowing it would be okay.   The man was a plumber. His truck had got stuck in the mud. He had been walking for miles. No one would pick him up and his wife was in the hospital in labor ... Read Full Story >>

Soap And Oil

Just yesterday I ordered 60 bathing soaps, 60 washing soaps, and 6 litres of Coconut oil. They are gifts for 30 poor boys and 30 poor girls who live in the nearby boarding school.

A Reason To Celebrate

Numbly, I left my husband, Marty, at the hospital where I had been visiting two of my children and headed for the grocery store. Since it was eleven p.m., I drove to the only store I knew was open twenty-four hours a day. I turned my car motor off and rested my head against the seat. What a day, I thought to myself. With two of my young children in the hospital, and a third waiting at Grandma’s, I was truly spread thin. Today I had actually passed the infant CPR exam required before I could take eight-week-old Joel home from the hospital. Would I remember how to perform CPR in a moment of crisis? A cold chill ran down my spine as I debated my answer. Exhausted, I reached for my grocery list that resembled more of a scientific equation than the food for the week. For the past several days, ... Read Full Story >>

A Beautiful Stray

My personality has always been geared towards animals. I love everything about them, from their healing qualities, to their rambunctious nature. I feel like animals are to be revered and respected, never abused. Today, this belief really showed! I went out for a simple stroll to my library, when I spotted a dog! The dog looked like a rust colored German Shepard, and I, being an animal lover, approached it. I noticed it had a collar, but no leash, and no one was even around it! I tried asking multiple people around the dog if it belonged to them, but everyone said no. I felt so bad, and didn't know what to do. She was so friendly and sweet that I felt guilty about just leaving her there. Then, what do you know? She starts following me! I couldn't help but giggle at that, seeing how she must have bonded with me. I ... Read Full Story >>

A Few Seconds to Catch a Train

My route to the grocery store runs parallel to the train tracks.  One day, on my way to the store, a train was at the station.  As I glanced down the street, I noticed a man running towards it. 

From where he was, I could tell that he was too far away to make the train, even if he was running.  So I stopped and offered him a ride. 

We only interacted for a few seconds, but his grateful face made my day!

Drawn To The Warmth

Factoring in the wind chill, I knew the temperature was below zero. The bitter cold cut through my Californian sensibilities, as well as my enthusiasm as a tourist, so I ducked through the nearest door for warmth... and found myself in Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. I settled onto one of the public benches with a steaming cup of coffee -- waiting for feeling to return to my fingers and toes -- and relaxed to engage in some serious people-watching. Several tables of diners spilled out into the great hall from the upscale American Restaurant, and heavenly aromas tempted me to consider an early dinner. I observed a man seated nearby and, from the longing in his eyes, realized that he, too, noticed the tantalizing food. His gaunt body, wind-chapped hands and tattered clothes nearly shouted, "Homeless, homeless!" I wondered how long it had been since he had eaten. Half expecting him to approach me ... Read Full Story >>

How Guardian Angels Must Feel

I was leaving a store at the same time as a gentleman in a wheel-chair.

Kindness Blooms at the Airport

Last weekend at the airport, I had some extra time before going through security to catch my flight. While wondering what to do, I decided it was the perfect time and place to look for an anonymous act of kindness to do! One of the magazine stands outside security had flowers for sale. I told the clerk that I'd like to buy flowers for someone else, and she could decide who to give them to. She looked a little confused, so I suggested perhaps she could give them to someone who looked like they could use some cheering up, and then hand them the smile card with the flowers. At first, the clerk responded, That's weird." (Or maybe, "That's crazy," I can't remember which.) But then, I explained a little more about smile cards and the concept of doing something kind for a complete stranger, and she brightened up. "I'll never know how it turns out," I said, "but you will have the opportunity ... Read Full Story >>

A Secret Stash of Scarves

I was driving by a bus stop this morning and noticed a woman trying to keep warm. Where I live, the weather changes all the time. At this particular moment, this woman looked really cold. She was clutching her hand over her face to shield the wind out.

I stopped, pulled over, and took a a crocheted scarf from my backseat. With a smile, I offered it to her. She looked up, a little surprised. Then she smiled back and accepted the scarf.

During the winter, I try to keep these scarves in my backseat, just for this purpose. It's a fun way to warm both my and someone else's day, literally. :)

It made my day just to know that someone else is a little warmer in the world. I'm still smiling. :)

Connecting with a Soul and Piercing Blue Eyes

Once again, God seems to have put a homeless person in my path. I don't know if there are more homeless people out there than before or if I'm just noticing them more. Lately, I regularly come in contact with people that I just can't ignore.   His name is Mark and I was shocked to hear that he is only three years older than me. He looks so much older!  He was on the corner asking for money. I saw his piercing blue eyes beneath his dirty hat and scruffy beard, and I couldn't look away. I parked my car and walked over to him and just plunked myself down on the curb to talk. People were driving by and staring at us, but I didn't care.     We talked for awhile and he told me about his life. I don't know how much of his story I believe, but who cares. ... Read Full Story >>

A Kindness Sale

A Little Bit of Kindness Goes a Long Way

Chocolate Crepe Kindness

This rainy Sunday morning my son and I visited our local farmers' market. As a special treat, we decided to get some crepes for our breakfast from one of the stands. While he was in line getting those I went down to my favorite stall - the apple farmer! I just love the smell and sight of those stalls at this time of year!   I was chatting with the woman there about the best kind to get for making pies and I was just about to pay for mine when my son wandered up with two plates of delicious crepes. One of the girls behind the counter said, "Oohh, those look yummy!"   After paying for the apples and finishing our rounds we decided that we had to get her a crepe too and my son started describing all of the varieties they had, in particular one that he saw someone else get ... Read Full Story >>

A Big Urge To Do A Little Bit More

This morning I went to drop of my large items to the recycling center. There was an Asian lady in the line who looked about 65-70 years old. She had 6 big black bags of recycling with her. I asked her if she wanted my items, because she was commingling and she could get money for it. She accepted them and thanked me with the most wonderful, loving hug I have ever had. After leaving the recycling center, I went to the market. I had just finished writing my book, and am hoping to get it published someday. I wanted to pick up some steaks to celebrate. It was kind of a special occasion for me, since I have been unemployed for four months and money is tight.  At the market, I had the steaks in my hand, but then thought about the lady at the recycling center. I put them back ... Read Full Story >>

Getting Things Moving by Blocking the Way

I love my truck! I have a big old 99 Suburban Chevy model. One of the biggest they made. I love driving on the road with my Burby!   So there I was driving, singing, having a fabulous time when suddenly I saw ahead of me a congestion of traffic. A three car accident had slowed things right down. It seemed they were all okay and the police were handling it. Meanwhile, everyone was crawling along.  I was watching and waiting for my opportunity to get past all of this congestion. What had been six lanes of flowing traffic was now only three, one lane going west, another east, and a single turning lane. It was horrible.   I slowly came closer to my chance to make a move. Looking around I could see an older woman in the turning lane, obviously upset. Horns were blaring behind her and she hadn’t managed to make ... Read Full Story >>

A Smile Filled Shopping Surprise

I was shopping at a store and passed by a shopper who smiled at me. As we shopped, we kept ending up in the same aisle. When I got to the check out counter, she was right in front of me.

She checked out and left. Then I checked out and left.

As I walked back to my car, I noticed that she was just getting into her truck nearby. I called to her to wait a second. 

"What happened?" she asked.

"Nothing," I smiled. "It's your lucky day!"

I handed her a Smile Card with 10 dollars and said, "You seem like a very nice person. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Then I added, "Maybe yourself some lunch or something!"

Beaming the biggest smile, she responded, "I don't believe this!"

I walked away with an even bigger smile!!

Moved by a Spontaneous Act of Kindness from a Stranger

Last night, after donating the last of my change to Children In Need (a U.K. telethon appeal,) I got on the train from London to Manchester. Feeling hungry, I went to the buffet car, only to find that the card machine was broken and I couldn't buy a sandwich. 

Granny Style Clothing and an Unexpected Friend!

Yesterday, I went shopping for slippers with my daughter. First, I thought we should go to the High Street in town but then something took me to a supermarket I don't really like.   While we were chatting (and my ten year old daughter was having lots of fun calling my choice of clothes "granny style") a young employee must have heard us.   She came over and asked if we were Portuguese. we said, "Yes," and started a small conversation. She said that she had been living in town for ten years, had two small children, and had lost her husband a year ago to leukemia. She felt really isolated because she had no family here. I know how difficult it can be to live in another country without friends.    I knew in my heart that the fact I was there and that she had found the courage to talk to me was ... Read Full Story >>

Jump Starting a Little Kindness

Believing in Kindness

I was on a long drive this past weekend and stopped for a rest break.  I noticed a man in a wheelchair sitting by the stop sign.  He was holding a sign that read, "trying to make it home for the holidays".  I quickly dismissed it because I had no cash to give him. I watched as people drove by and either ignored him or stared at him like he was a curiosity of sorts.  I felt really badly for him. I started to drive away but turned around and asked him if he was hungry.  For some reason, I seem to be called to feed hungry people lately.  He seemed shocked that someone was interested in his well-being and said yes, he would like a sandwich and a soda. I know some people balk at the idea of giving money to strangers because they may use that money for drugs or alcohol ... Read Full Story >>