Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Marvin's Prayer Book

A while back I started a prayer book for a very sick friend called Marvin. This morning I was collecting prayers and a man wrote something in Marvin's prayer book. Then he told me his story.    Like Marvin he too has cancer. He has been through chemotherapy three times. His cancer has returned after every chemo period and even a few surgeries. He is now stage 4 and terminal.   The reason I am sharing this is because he said all of this to me with a voice that was so hopeful. He seemed not concerned about his situation at all. Instead, he asked many questions about Marvin and even put his phone number in the prayer book for Marvin to call.   He said, "Tell Marvin, no matter what time of the day or night it is, he can call me. Tell him I want to hear from him in his darkest hour. You ... Read Full Story >>

Saga of a Blue Scarf

Last December, following the Friday night performance of our Winter Solstice Celebration, my wife Chez had gone to the Cathedral parking lot to get some gear before taking a taxi to our hotel. When I finally got to the hotel a couple of hours later, Chez realized she was missing a small bag and was sure she’d left it on the ground outside the car. So I said I’d go back and look for it.   It was quite a dark and wintry night, and when I arrived back at the Cathedral around 1:30am, the whole area was deserted. I found the all-night security guard and asked him to unlock the gate to the parking lot for me. We walked back to Amsterdam Ave. and up past the front of the Cathedral to the north lot entrance. We were about 50 yards into the lot when we heard a woman’s voice calling ... Read Full Story >>

Five Little Squirrels

Ever since I was a kid I've always been involved in animal rescue.  In a neighborhood I lived in several years ago I was known as the Animal Lady. One evening three little neighbor girls ran up to my door, exclaiming over a baby squirrel that was running around on the sidewalk. I quickly followed the kids and they led me to a tiny squirrel, frantically trying to run up to the various nervous neighbors who were screeching and dodging the baby squirrel. I accessed the youngster to be young enough to still have milk teeth and I realized that even if it bit me, it could do no damage. I scooped the little creature up and checked it for injuries. It seemed fine. Now, a baby squirrel has to be pretty desperate for milk to leave its nest and search the neighborhood for help. I figured the mother must have ... Read Full Story >>

Taking A Chance

A client came in this morning while I was working on my homework at a local coffee shop.  Since there were no more open tables, the client asked if they could join me until they finished.

I know most workers may become uncomfortable with these situations, however like a few of my fellow open minded employees, I said yes. As we sat we spoke of their day and plans for the weak, with me keeping the conversation in a direction that was general and would keep their privacy intact.

These moments of taking the time to go above and beyond to connect with clients, I believe helps with creating the sense of trust and connection needed to be truly helpful in their recovery. I was not going to loose the opportunity to strengthen the trust by saying no.

Sometimes being kind, means taking chances in order to best be helpful.

When My Daughter Was Born

Exactly 10 years ago I gave birth to a little girl, now turning a big girl.

The day my daughter was born I was blessed with the company of my husband and 3 friends who kept me company from 16.30 in to 23.00 at night.  Due to the shortage of personel, I had to stay with my baby daughter in the corridor of the hospital just outside the bunch of the rooms where women give birth.

I can't forget the endless patience and efforts of my friends and family to keep me in good spirits for all those hours. To me,  this day is a celebration of my daughter's birthday and a celebration of the most beautiful friendship in times of need. They must have done a fantastic job because I don't remember being bored or annoyed while we waited all those hours!

This year I am going to write a thank you letter to each of them for being there for me.

Giving Every Single Day

Last year, Christmas 2010 came and went like every other year. The malls opened their doors wide; the churches rang with praises, the decorations went up; the kids opened presents; good times were shared round a big dinner. And then it was over. Just like every other Christmas. Why is it always like that? A feel good month, a few days of rest, then its forgotten. Why can’t we keep that giving spirit everyday? Could I? Maybe I could keep that spirit of giving alive by doing one thoughtful, giving thing everyday. So I threw up a Facebook post as a challenge to myself to see if I could. The original Facebook post: Post-Christmas Resolution: Every day until next Christmas, I’m going to try to do something helpful for someone or our community; something which might be a little uncomfortable; something which connects me to someone; something which requires me to listen to people I disagree with; or something which ... Read Full Story >>

Angeldog

My wife and I were out on the perimeter road that runs around where we live. Two dog walkers passed by and we heard one of them say, "Never seen that dog around here before." We looked down the hill and saw an old black labrador stumbling painfully up the hill. It reached us, and its legs kinda fell out from under it.   We bent down, talked gently to the mutt and patted it. I checked and there was a collar. There was a phone number on the collar, but no one answered.   The dog was so painfully thin that there seemed nothing between its ribs and its pelvis but spine. It didn't have many teeth left and, well, it just seemed done.   My wife ran home to get some of our dog's food and mush it up in some milk while I tried to entice the dog to come along with me.   By the ... Read Full Story >>

On my walk to work

The other morning, I  stopped to chat with a lovely lady who was sitting by herself on a cold and grey morning on the London Bridge. She is there most of the time.  Sometimes life is just very unfair.

Today, I offered her a little of my time and a coffee on my trip to my warm office. I am not sure if I had any impact on her day, however, I hope I provided her with a little warm human kindness on a cold wet grey London morning.

Enjoy your day one and all and stay strong!

Pretty Little Package

During the holidays I always maked baked goods and wrap them up in fancy little cellophane bags with the holiday appropriate ribbons and adornments.  People love getting gifts and the packaging makes it look so much more special.  It's not unusual for me to give Rich, the local homeless guy that has been hanging around my office for years, some food, cash, etc.  But this Valentines Day I did something I never had thought of.  Usually, when I give Rich food, it's usually in a little baggie.  This time, however, I had a couple extra "fancy" packages to give out.  I saw Rich outside and I first thought to take some of the cookies out of my little bowl on my desk and put them in a baggie to give him.  But then I thought... how fun it would be if I give him one of these wrapped up packages, instead of just a baggie ... Read Full Story >>

The More Unglamorous Jobs

Helga, my landlady 20 years ago when I first moved to CA, was always appreciative and naturally thoughtful. Knowing we were new to the area and didn't know a soul, she invited us to her Friday night happy hour get togethers with the other tenants and her friend.

What stayed with me even more than that kindness was that each Monday, when the garbagemen came to pick up the trash, she ALWAYS ran out to then with a bottle of iced tea or fruit juice for each of them. That was two guys plus the driver - every week! 

My parents always tipped the postman at Christmas along with the paper delivery boy, but I never knew of anyone who remembered the garbageman.

I'm not consistent, but from time to time - I too have tried to follow in Helga's footsteps!

It's What You Do, Not What You Say

When I was younger,  we lived out in the in what is now a forest preserve. People had the unfortunate habit of abandoning  dogs at the foot of our long driveway. This drove my poor mother crazy!  We were by no means well off and already had a dog. Staring out the window my mother would sputter and complain about the irresponsible and cruel people who had dumped their dog on us. She told us to stay away from the dog as we could not afford it, and that was that! I felt very upset, and I couldn't believe my mother refused to help the animal, but she was adamant.  She said, "Other people lived near by. Let them take care of the creature." The poor dog lay at the end of the driveway and hardly moved for two days, obviously heart broken. My heart was breaking too, but I dared not ... Read Full Story >>

Parking Lot Surprise!

My mom was recently hospitalized at a local inner city hospital that requires visitors to pay for parking. I cannot fault the organization for accepting revenue for parking when it is difficutl to find addequate spaces to park at many hospitals.

As I was leaving I was reflecting on how very fortunate I am that she is improving daily and that I have a job and can afford to pay for parking.

Having a family member or someone you care about to be in a hospital is difficult enough, many folks are grieving or afraid so to extend a small favor like a parking fee, maybe would help just a bit.

So as I left, I gave the parking lot attendant double the parking fee each time I visited and asked her to use the extra money to pay for the next person in line's parking. I have no idea if the person behind me felt any better about the "free parking" but I did!

Kindness, A New Definition

Two weeks ago I became quite ill, and lossed a great deal of my energy.  I had to cancel plans and work so I could rest.

Usually, I'm used to being the one to offer help to those who are ill or upset, and I tend to find it hard to recieve help.

Last week, I learned that when you deny the abilty for someone to help, you are denying them the abilty to feel good.  This is the same feeling I have when I help someone else.  So for the first time last week, I allowed a ride home one night, when I was to tired and too sore to walk.

To be kind is to learn to accept kindness back.

Being Alive and Well Fed

This morning I asked myself a question: ‘What does being alive mean to me?’. The question eventually led me to this moment now. Well, isn’t it only to be in the now to be alive, anyways? Well, at this particular moment-right now - being alive means sharing the abundance of kindness in a story. Two years ago, I was hitchhiking and a friendly man in his mid-sixties pulled over. Curt was brimming over with stories spiced with his joy for living. My journey to the chiropractor didn’t take it’s usual 3 or so rides.  Curt altered his route to drop me off directly in front of the office 45 minutes later. During the ride, I learned that Curt was just dropping off a van-load of free food for people in my small town.  He did this weekly just because "It is so fun to bring people food which otherwise would have gone ... Read Full Story >>

An Opportunity to Give

After many months of illness, the resulting financial troubles and the love and generosity of dear friends, family members and even strangers that helped me and my children through those difficult times, my life regained balance. On a trip to the grocery store I spotted  a young couple hitchhiking with two puppies. They were obviously tired and discouraged and had made a sign, which simply read, "Just Food." Praying that they would stay, I hurried into the grocery store and bought a bag full of  nutritious foods, puppy chow for the dogs along with items I needed. To my relief they were still there when I came out. I drove up beside them and the young man approached at my beckoning him. I handed him the bag full of groceries, saying, "this is for you..." then the bag of chow, "this is for your puppies", and then a ten dollar bill, "And here's ... Read Full Story >>

Just 1 Card To Say Happy Birthday...

I have a Aunt who is deaf and lives alone. To communicate with her when we visit we write in her notebook. Her birthday is in March. Last year she was 96 years old. I thought about things I could get her but aside from food there isn't much she needs. So, I decided to I send emails out to a few friends. I told everyone  about my Aunt and asked them if they could please take a few minutes and help celebrate her birthday by sending a card to her.  Little did I know how this one request would impact so many, especially my Aunt! My friends asked their own friends to join in. The cards started arriving every day for a month!! My Aunt was so excited! She couldn't believe so many people were thinking about her.  She recieved over 50 cards! Something so little, that takes just a few minutes ... Read Full Story >>

Fierce Love

Sometimes kindness has a ferocious beginning.

My dear friend Michael stood in line at a  grocery store. In the next line a mother had lost her temper with her screaming three year old sitting  in the cart seat. To everyone's shock the woman began slapping the little boy's face. Michael (a therapist) turned to  her and commanded, "Stop!" The woman jerked, as if from a trance and buried her face in her hands as she began to sob. Michael took her in his arms and held her as she cried. Then he comforted the little boy. The woman thanked him and tearfully told him about the tremendous stress she was experiencing in her life. Michael encouraged her and gave her a card to an excellent family therapist that he knew. Through her tears the mother apologized to to her little boy and hugged him and promised that she would make an appointment with the therapist.

I think most of us, at our worst, would benefit from someone stepping in to help us regain our bearings.

Michael is gone now, but the Love that he shared so generously in life continues on, rippling from those he touched to others.

Who's Packing Your Parachute?

Charles Plumb, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, who was a jet pilot during the Vietnam War. After seventy-five combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb safely ejected and parachuted into enemy territory. He was captured and spent six years in a Communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on the lessons he learned from that experience. One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!" Somewhat surprised, Plumb asked, "How in the world did you know that?  The man replied, "I packed your parachute." Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked." "It sure did. If the chute you packed hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today!" Plumb responded. Plumb ... Read Full Story >>

Standing in Line For Someone Else

This happened to me 20 years ago and I'll always remember the kindness of this stranger. 

I was pregnant with my second child and I was at the DMV office waiting in line to get the title to my car.  It was taking a very long time. I must have sat down three times because I felt so dizzy.  This pregnancy had been a hard one. I was in my eighth month and I was not feeling so great. I stood up and got back in line and started to feel faint again so I turned to go sit down and this young man stopped me and said that he would stand in line for me if I didn't mind. He told me that his wife had seen me sit down several times and that she was pregnant and understood  how I was feeling.

I was living in Los Angeles at the time and hadn't met many people that were caring or polite. I was so thankful for that kind man who helped me out that day by standing in line for me.  I'll never forget how much he helped me that day! 

 

Saying 'Thanks' to a Military Family

It was the second year of the war in Iraq.  My husband and I went to dinner at TGI Friday's in Honolulu.  We were already seated and eating when we noticed a man in a US military uniform with his blonde wife and three children, the youngest in a stroller, waiting in line outside the restaurant.  My husband decided at that moment that he would pay the dinner bill for them and summoned the waiter to take care of it. The family was seated close enough so that we could see them clearly.  The kids were well behaved, except of course for the baby.  We ate slowly and watched while they finished their meal and the waiter announced to the man and his wife that the bill was paid in full by a fellow patron who wished to remain anonymous.  The man told his wife, and both looked around the room as if to get some sort of acknowledgment.  We could see tears welling up in the man's eyes.  My husband is retired Navy and a retired firefighter. I am so proud of him for that act of kindness.