Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Plea From the Porch

I was walking back from Safeway this morning and an elderly woman called out to me from her porch. "Excuse me," she said. I wasn't sure if she was talking to me, so I looked around and not seeing anyone else I turned to her and answered,"yes?"
"Could you please help me with this?" she asked, pointing to a small shopping cart which was probably 10 feet below where she was standing.
"Do you want me to bring it up there?" I asked, and she indicated she did, and also indicated that it could be folded up. So I folded it, and brought it upstairs. She thanked me and I wished her a wonderful day, and went on my way.
As I continued walking, I was inspired to go back to get her address and mail her a smile card, encouraging her to "pay it forward" if she chose. Here I sit with the letter in front of me, ready to go in the mail.
I didn't get her name, so I'm just sending it annonymously with just the address. Who knows if she'll get it, and/or "pay it forward,
" but I feel wonderful in sending it.
Make it a blessed day.

Kindness Not Forgotten

One day I wanted to go shopping with my cousin.   We got into an auto rickshaw and were talking animatedly about shopping and other things.  All of sudden the vehicle stopped and the driver turned back and looked at me.  I was surprised and also a little apprehensive about it.
He mentioned my father's name and said that he had recognized me when I got into his auto but needed confirmation. He said that my father had helped him with his first job and also sent him for driving classes. As a result he is well settled now and happy.

My face was glowing with pride and sadness. This happened 3 years after my father passed away.

On separate occasion, another auto rickshaw driver refused to take money because of my Father. He always said that if my Father got into his auto first then he made good money. So ,every morning, he used to wait at the gate for my Father and took him to office. Along with refusing money , he also told me how much he missed my father.

There are so many kindness stories about my father.
My face always glows with pride when I talk  about him.

Circle of Sharing

One day, I wanted to do something different so I made a dozen or so cupcakes and brought them to school and gave them out to random friends. They thought it was cool. Every now and then, one of us would come to school with cookies, cupcakes, or anything else that's edible and share it. It's nothing extraordinary but it's a good feeling, to share. It's also good to know that you matter to someone and they would think of bringing extra food for you simply because you're their friend. I suppose it's another thing that brings friends closer. It's all good.

No Good Deed Stands Alone

My 20-year-old stepdaughter, Nicola, went to Romania to work with a Christian mission organisation called Hope For The Nations. She had to raise the money for her own room and board and went out there for three months, working in a children's hospital/orphanage. Her job was to give abandoned children some human contact, make sure they weren't laying in the same diaper for days at a time and help reunite them with their (usually gypsy) families. We were all very proud of her and, while she was out their sent plenty of "aid" packages and gifts for the children. But this, naturally, tailed off when she came home. Then I discovered my daughter, Mandy, had gone to her employers and organised a collection of baby clothes. Of course the postage between the UK and Romania is ... Read Full Story >>

Big Heart In A Little Boy

On Fridays, my son's kindergarten class has "prize day" when all the children who have maintained good behavior throughout the week get to choose a prize to keep as a reward.  The children have behavior cards, which start out green every morning but are changed from green to yellow, orange and finally to red as their behavior declines.  The vast majority of these chidren never change their cards from green.  As school is dismissed, I am amazed to see the kids streaming out of the front door smiling ear-to-ear holding some inexpensive trinket like it was a gold medal.  On many Fridays, there is one boy, who I'll refer to as "Tommy," who often walks out with an unsmiling face because he has had a difficult day or two that week.  From day one "Tommy" would be the first name the children would mention to their parents: "Tommy had a ... Read Full Story >>

Loving Your Work and Working At What You Love

I became a massage therapist because I was headed for chiropractic school and wanted to see if I was ok touching people all day.  After completing my massage therapy education I started working out of my home while also working for a pharmaceutical company by day to save money for chiro school. At first, it didn't really consciously occur to me that this type of giving was what I was really after.  I just found that I loved what I did and couldn't wait to go to work each day.  Now, ten years later and running a thriving massage therapy practice, I donate massages regularly to family, friends and random people such as pregnant moms having difficulty for any reason, abused women, widows and children with special needs.  Sometimes I just pick a person for no apparent reason and tell them that they have won a free massage with me. I don't ... Read Full Story >>

Looking Like This

I was travelling by bus to the next town. At one stop stood four elderly ladies and one biiiig scary guy. He was dressed in leather and denim, had several piercings, a red bandana over his head and tattoos all over his face.

The ladies seemed to be keeping their distance but as the bus came to a halt in front of him the big man stepped back and indicated the ladies should go first. I think they were a little surprised!

Then the big man came on board. I noticed he winced painfully as he walked. Then - oh joy - he came and sat next to me! Well, I'm not small and together we filled up that seat.  I noticed him rubbing his leg and I tapped him on the shoulder. "Would it help," I asked, "if I moved to another seat then you could have more room to stretch your leg?"

"Naw," he said gruffly.

When it came his turn to get off he turned and said, "Thanks for that." He waved a hand at his face. "Looking like this, not many people think to offer help." And off he went.  I got to offer help AND I learned a lesson. It was my lucky day.

Lunch Breaks and Frustrations Take the Back Seat

I received my first delivery of 10 smile cards in post this week. A big thank-you to you all! Yesterday I got the chance to give my first smile card. I had to go to Centrelink - which is a governement body for Human Services in Australia. It was a hot afternoon and the Centrelink office was teeming with people. The time was 1:30pm and most of the staff members were away for (a much deserved) lunch break, so there was only one lady serving customers at the service desk. I took my number ticket from the machine and seated myself in the waiting area. It is a government office and the service is not exactly high class. People around me started complaining about the staff, some were laughing and joking at them, some were smirking and a few were even a bit abusive in their choice of words. I ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of a $1 Car

I am serving in Americorps VISTA in Cheyenne. Although the work has been challenging, the rewards are immeasurable. The weather in Cheyenne has proved to be adventurous! Although the fact that I walk everywhere has proven to be excellent exercise, for my body as well as my mind, I began to realize that I needed another form of transportation for the winter. My boyfriend Mike knew of this desire and he researched some local sites for inexpensive vehicles. The second he sent me information about a 1978 Ford Fairmont, I just knew this car was meant to be! I began my communications with the owner, a man named Dale Meyer. I found out that the car was originally purchased by his grandfather and was in pretty good condition. He and his two siblings had actually learned to drive using this car. We settled on a price of $400, and decided ... Read Full Story >>

Fruit And Smiles For The Homeless!

I had an idea that I am going to restart, and maybe others will join me too! :)   It's obviously not the first ever of its kind, but it's a powerful one! Every Tuesday and Saturday I go into Dublin to meet up with other members of the National Animal Rights Association to raise awareness, signatures for petitions.. or even protest. I love it!! I am passionate about it and find it not only meaningful and fulfilling but also enjoyable to meet other like-minded people. On my way, I always pass by a fair number of homeless people. You know the sort that usually look withdrawn, both physically and from life, while throngs of people just pass by without hardly noticing or showing any compassion. They usually clutch a cheap paper cup of some sort, hoping for some change, often with their head hung to the ground. I've given the homeless money before ... Read Full Story >>

Problem Solving to Make Someone's Day

I wanted to share my one, and I hope not the only, good deed for this week.  It's a shortie.  I had turned off the highway heading towards where I work when I noticed that there was a car stalled in a less than great position.  I immediately pulled ahead to a safe spot, stopped my car and helped to push (manual transmission luckily!) the car to a safe place.  I decided to investigate the problem in case I might be able to sold it and I actually found what was wrong.  There was a loose battery cable and I was able to fix it immediately so that they could get back on the road.   I like that kind of problem, easy and obvious!

An Unforgettable Taxi Stand Encounter

Recently, when I was waiting at a taxi stand, I noticed a young man engrossed in polishing shoes. I decided to get my shoes polished as well and as I was paying him I noticed on his left-hand some sort of old marking. That took me back to 2001 when I had, at this very taxi stand, consoled a boy who had an injury on his hand. 

The boy had told me that his step-mother had branded him with a hot iron because he had demanded more food. I had bought a chocolate for him and also two tins of shoe-polish and brushes because I was very supportive of his willingness to work and earn.

This time I paused just as I was about to pay him, looked deep into his eyes and asked him if he was Manoj. He raised his head, looked up at me and froze with moist eyes, refusing to accept my payment.  I, too, couldn't control my tears. I admired and complimented Manoj for his continued efforts to be independent and hardworking. I was very glad to learn that he was attending night school after he finished polishing shoes everyday -- that he was continuing to work hard to achieve his dreams.

Container of Cookies

We have been having a problem with our plumbing in the bathroom. The maintainence guy has been so nice about trying  to take care of this problem, but it has turned out to a bigger task than what he intended to deal with. He has been to our home three times already  in the past week and is due to come back this afternoon to see if the problem is solved.

The last few times he was here I gave him some of my fresh cookies I had baked. He told me he really liked the last ones I gave him especailly with coffee. Since he is coming back today, I baked some more of my fresh cookies and put them in a nice container with a bow along with a card thanking him. I hope this helps make his day a bit brighter....

A Hug for Mary Jo

I volunteer at a senior center and on my very first day I came across an older lady sitting in a chair crying.  I asked her if I could sit and talk with her.

She told me how the phone company has taken money from her and she needs someone to help her retrieve it back. I stood up, took her hand, and off we went to find a phone. I called the phone company and we got the whole thing straightened out. Not only did she get her money back, but she also received a $10.00 credit for the following month.

After I hung up with the phone company, I looked over at her and she was crying again. I asked her what was wrong and she told me that she was grateful to have me as a friend. I asked her if I could give her a hug and she said, "Yes." She then told me that the hug she recieved from me was even better than the help I gave her.

Mellissa Hasler

Seizing the Opportunity to Give

About two months ago, I worked at a college student fair where we had over-estimated the food delivery by at least 500 sandwiches. It was clear that everyone had their fill, and plenty of food stood to go to waste.  A friend and I grabbed a few sandwiches to take to another co-worker and some to stock in our fridges for later, so that they wouldn't go to waste. As we walked up the hill, we met an elderly woman with large black shades and a cane. She asked us about the event happening down the hill.  As I started to tell her about the fair, I couldn't help but notice that I had several extra sandwiches in my hands.  Quickly, I offered her one of the sandwiches, to spare her the lengthy downhill walk.  Suddenly, a large smile appeared on her face, as she told us how happy she ... Read Full Story >>

Holding My Mom's Hand

Technically speaking, my Mom is old -- she is in her 70s now. She once used to be a woman full of life and laughter. All of that changed after my Dad passed away about ten years ago. Although they were not what you would call a "lovey dovey" couple, Mom did take his sudden death quite badly. She became a bit of a recluse and more of a worrier. To  make matters worse, my brother decided to relocate to another city.  Mom decided to stay behind with her sister. Whenever my Mom comes over to stay with me for some time (I live with my husband and his parents), she always demands constant attention from me. She generally gets nostalgic of the good old times we used to spend together discussing books, cooking, or life in general. Sometimes it turned into a cribbing session. "You never spare time for ... Read Full Story >>

To Live with an Open Heart

The changing point in my life came when I was in London. I had to stay the weekend in the city centre for a professional exam. It's an expensive place to stay and I barely had enough money. Walking away from the city centre into a residential area, I was approached by a young Irish woman. She promised she wasn't a beggar, insisted she had a baby in one the nearby flats but she had no food for him. Could I please help? In my cynicism I just assumed she WAS a beggar. In my pocket I had one pound eighty pence in change and a twenty pound note. This was all I had for the rest of the weekend.  I gave her the change and went to walk on past. Then I heard her muttering something and I turned back. "Sorry, for being ungrateful and all, but this isn't going to buy much in ... Read Full Story >>

The Honesty of a Stranger

I accidentally left my wallet in a shopping cart one afternoon after a busy day of grocery shopping. My four-year-old son and I went back to the store just in case somebody had returned it. I was in a panic because everything I needed for me and my son was in that wallet. It contained about $150 and credit cards. I was told to go to the police station to report the loss.

It seemed hopeless and I got so tired that I decided to go back to my home. While pulling into our garage, I noticed a red car parked in the road near my house and a guy was looking at me and called my name. I said yes and he handed me my wallet. I remember that he said he had found it in the cart and then I gave him a hug. They left.  I looked inside and everything was still there in my wallet.

I was so taken aback in the moment that I totally forgot to ask him his name or get his contact details so that I could thank him.  But, I am so thankful that there are good, honest, and kind people around still, depsite what most people think.

A Ray of Sunshine for a Hardworking Mom

I have a friend who has a child with special needs, who requires 24 hour supervision.  Income is very low and she doesn't have her own vehicle for transportation.  Sadly, her only weekly outing is when her Mom takes her to the grocery store. I have wanted to take her out for a ladies lunch to get her out of the house, but it is really difficult to find a babysitter, who is trained to handle a child with special needs.  Finally one day I thought we've just got to have our special ladies lunch one way or another.  I called my friend and told her not to eat lunch on that day.  I arranged for a caterer to deliver a gourmet lunch to her house.  When it arrived, seeing the smile on her face was worth more than winning the lottery.  Even though she didn't get out of the ... Read Full Story >>

Here's to a Smile Delivery Guy

Everyday I am greeted with a smile by my newspaper delivery guy.  Despite any weather conditions, he smiles and greets me with a happy "morning mammy" each and every day.  The day would be bleak if he was not there because I have gotten so used to him!

So, I got to thinking, what can I do to make his day brighter?  Instead of paying the exact price for the paper everyday, I pay him more.  That way he can have some extra money at the end of the day!  I also take him food every other day and, this weekend, I am going to see if I can get him a raincoat/rainjacket, to help him stay dry and warm on wet days.  He needs a lot of things and I will be helping him to achieve small goals, one at a time, as and when I can.

Here's to you newspaper delivery guy!!  You bring joy to many lives, with just your smile!  You probably do not even know this, but you brighten my day with your smile every single day!

Why don't we all do this?  Tell your "newspaper guy" he is special!