Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Kind Festival

This poem I wrote describes my smile-card experience at the Annual Art&Wine Festival on Saturday September 8, 2007 in downtown Mountain View on Castro Street.

"A Kind Festival"

Walking along the streets of Castro,
A day of art and wine,
A time to smile with anonymous souls,
And browse at the paintings from Italy,
And try on flowery hair accessories,
And admire the photography from East Asia to Napa Valley,

While listening to an African American baby girl of two,
Belt out some soulful blues,
I heard the news of a Filipina woman,
Fighting for the tribal rights of California Indians,
And signed her political petition,

Then the musical notes of a guitarist arose,
And he received a series of dollars in his instrumental suitcase,
And while on my solitary stroll through this multicultural street,
I gave a dollar wrapped with a 1x2 inch smile,
With the hope that it just might add,
A little more than monetary value,
To this old man's day in the South Bay.

-mitu915

Beautiful Pumpkin Colored Kitty

A small cat came to my door yeowling today. Now, I've seen it around usually chasing after my old 21 year old cats that really can't defend themselves. But this was different.

The cat was actually yeowling in the screen door, asking for something. I chased it away once, but it came back a few times. I looked at it and it seemed afraid but determined. I put out a can of food and backed away; this poor cat ate the entire thing afraid, but starving ... so I went and got my own cats dish, and put out what was left (almost another whole plate!) and the kitty ate that too!  I put water out, and each time I would go out, it would run, but come back to stare at me as it ate and drank.

I can't tell my husband -- he doesn't like cats, and we already have 2 of them!  Not to mention the 2 birds (my husband doesn't like them either :)), a turtle and a dog. So I am trying to save this little honey on the sly.

I think if I hear the Pumpkin Colored Kitty again this evening, I will bring out a box with a blanket in it for her (or him) ... but it warms me to know that it knew who and where to ask for help!

Returning A Stolen Briefcase

About 3 months ago, my 20-year old son was riding home from town/grocery store, he found a briefcase in the bushes. Yes, he has very sharp eyes! He’s always looking for broken bike parts, because he fixes bikes and in our town bikes are vandalized daily. The briefcase had a wallet and lots of papers in it. Everything was in it, except cash. My son brought the briefcase home, and I spent about an hour on the phone until I located the owner of it. Yay! Persistence pays off! I’m met him at the train station this next day to give it to him. Here is the story he told me: “On March 29, 2007, he was riding the train home from his job in Osby. (he lives in Lund) He had his briefcase between his feet on the floor. He fell asleep around Hässleholm, but woke up about 15 minutes later as the train ... Read Full Story >>

Thanks To My Kind Friends

Today I took the time to say thank you to five people I do not know who have made a difference in my life. Their words and stories have made me smile, brought out tears of joy and caused me to pass it on to others. It cost me nothing to do except 5 minutes of my time, all of which made me smile.

Though I do not know any of them, I am connected to them all and they have made a difference in my life. Thank you friends for touching my heart as well as the hearts of so many others.

You never know when you make a difference in someone's life with a kind word or deed. Thank you to all of you here who take the time to share your thoughts. They matter more than you know and cause a ripple of kindness throughout the world!

Out Of The Mouths Of Children

A group of children, aged four through eight, were asked to answer the question: "What does love mean?" Some of the answers are amusing. Some are rather earthy. Others show a wisdom far beyond their years ... Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way. When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toe nails any more. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love. When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth. Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other. Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any ... Read Full Story >>

Herbs Of Kindness

I recently started a new job and wanted to find a way to connect with my co-workers.   When I learned everyone had an interest in health and wellness, I decided to surprise them.

As an avid gardener, I enjoy cooking with fresh herbs. So I decided to purchased herbs grown in the native land of each coworker, potted them in decorative pots and attached recipes for making their favorite dishes.

I potted up 10 herbs pots and all the recipients were quite surprised!  It also may me feel great because I was able to give a nutritious and healthy gift.

P.S.  Some of the herb pots I planted are as follows: Zatar (Middle Eastern herb), Pesto Basil Perpetuo, Hot & Spicy Oregano, Cilantro, Thai Basil, Lemon Balm, Julia Child fruity herb, Barbecue Rosemary, Queenette Basil and Scented Geraniums.

Four Bags Of Ice

I stopped at a convenience store on the way home from my monthly trek to the surgeon for a medical procedure.  I usually stop and get myself some candy and a pop as  a treat for surviving the torture. This time I noticed an elderly woman getting a bag of ice and went to walk around so as not to be in her way.  Right  then, she paused her work and gently asked, "I can move, if you'd like to pass through."  "No, I'm fine.  I'll just go this way.  But can I give you a hand?"  "No, that's alright."  And so, I went on inside the store. As I got my candy, I turned around to see if there was anything else I needed and I saw the ice-lady again.  "How are you doing?" I asked her.  "Okay.  Just have to pay for my ice and get home."  "How many bags ... Read Full Story >>

'Mad Dog Lady' on the Bus

I sadly never got the name of this lady who I met one particular day but many people know her as ''Mad Dog Lady''.   It's a name given to her by angry teenagers with too much free time.  On this particular day, I was at the bus station waiting to go home after college and I noticed her behind me.  We both got on the bus, as she sat right in front of me. I noticed that she got out a free newspaper and proceeded to scribble over people faces quite vigorously.  I wasn't going to ask her why she was doing this but after a few minutes, I decided to ask her. At first, it did'nt go down too well because she must've thought that I one of those angry teenagers ready to give her abuse.  I asked one more time and this time, she replied, "Women with makeup on ... Read Full Story >>

A Prayer Rock Minister

You might've heard the story of a person walking along a beach who kept throwing starfish back into the ocean to save their lives.A passerby commented that the task was useless since the man couldn't save all of the starfish, but the man continued to throw them back anyway because he felt that each one he did save was important. A few years ago I had to have thyroid surgery. Because I am a school teacher, I was terrified that I would never speak again. I shared my fear with my minister, and she gave me a "prayer stone" to take with me into surgery. I had the nurse tape it on my arm during surgery and many people "commented" about the rock taped to my arm. As I awaited my operation, people on the stretchers next to me asked about my "stone" and when ... Read Full Story >>

Few Bills Under A Paper Napkin

He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help.  So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out.  His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried.  No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her?  He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold.  He knew how she felt.  It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am.  Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm?  By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson." Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old ... Read Full Story >>

Reluctant Apologies At the Till

Not so long ago I worked at a cafe in a garden centre where one day I was working on the till and taking orders. It was quite a busy day. Around lunchtime a couple of ladies reached the till and I rang through their items and their orders and once I had completed that they said they wished to pay separately. Now, I wasn't exactly new on the till, but I was still unsure of how I would go about this.  So I canceled half the order so I could do each transaction separately. However it turned out (by a very huffy response from these two ladies) that I'd divided it up wrong, but by then the till thought that the transaction was complete, and so then my mind went into meltdown and I had no idea how to sort it all out. The two ladies quite clearly knew that ... Read Full Story >>

The Biggest, Bestest Present Ever!

There is an elderly man who lives up the street from us.  He has no one to shovel his driveway.  He is a bit of a miser so most people aren't so inclined to help.  One day, I don't know who did it, but someone used the sticky snow on his driveway to make a whole bunch of snowmen on his lawn facing his front window.  They were all smiling and waving and his driveway got cleared in the making of them. As my son and I were walking by, I could hear him grumbling under his breath.  "What's the problem?" I asked him.  He complained that someone had trespassed on his lawn and made a bunch of snowmen.  My son, not knowing what trespass meant, assumed this was a good thing.  He said "Wow, sir, that's the biggest bestest present I've ever seen!!"   Innocently, he then turned to me asked, ... Read Full Story >>

Origami Birds From a Japanese Girl

Back in primary school, there was a Japanese girl in my class. This was before it was common to see people of Asian nationality in New Zealand and she was possibly the first Japanese person I ever met.   Perhaps that's why her unique culture touched me.

While her stay in New Zealand was short, she joined our class to experience our culture.  On her last day with us, she gave our class of 30 a simple gift of thanks -- two origami birds and two Japanese style pens for each person in the class- that's about 60 birds+ 60 pens!  It must have taken her all night to create those!

I can't remember her name, and can't really remember her face but I still remember her act of kindness.

After about 10 years, I still have and treasure those little birds!

A New Christmas Tradition For My Kids

This year rather than provide a contribution for the local holiday toy charity, I decided to give my kids (10 and 12 years old) some money and go to the local store to buy the toys to donate.

At the store there was a Christmas tree with tags that included the ages of kids in need and the types of toys they wanted. We quickly grabbed 4 of the tags and went out through the store to find the items listed.

My kids and I had a great time finding the toys and knowing that it was a special gift for kids who were less fortunate than ourselves. It was also a great way to teach the kids to do random acts of kindness at a young age.

I think we have started a new family tradition that will continue throughout the years.

A Bakery Box on the Counter

I have always loved our local library and every couple weeks, I've started to stop by on my lunch break.  As the weather has gotten colder I have noticed that the library is more crowded during the day and not smelling very pleasant.  It seems that the library is a popular place for our local homeless to gather to get out of the bad weather.  I am glad that there is a warm safe place for people to get out of the bad weather, but I also wonder what it is like for the librarians who work there every day. Recently, on the way back from a business meeting, I stopped at a bakery and picked up my favorite treat -- a Napoleon. I love the bakery's Napoleons and was looking forward to enjoying the treat when I got back to my office.  That day, I also stopped by the library ... Read Full Story >>

Never Too Young To Share A Smile!

I just received my smile cards and my 10 year old daughter wanted to know what they were and how to use them.  I handed her one and told her to read it. 

The smile she had on her face was priceless. 

She then asked me if she could also have a few "just in case she needed them."   I gave her half my cards and explained to her how to use them. 

The first one she gave out was to the checkout lady at the store.   Stores are so busy with shoppers in a hurry they sometimes forget that the person ringing up their items are real people just trying to make an honest living.  My daughter saw this checkout lady overwhelmed and getting nervous so she dropped the card beside her as we left.   We hope she had a better day!

He Turned My Life Around

I sent this letter in 2002 and is an example of honoring a hero of mine. Dear Judith, I am hoping that this letter finds its way to you. I am also hoping that you remember me. I was in Brent's first 7th grade class and his first 8th grade class. Judith, I have been trying to find Brent for years and finally found the article online in the Los Altos Town Crier about Brent's memorial. I have been trying to thank him for turning my life around and was so saddened when I found that I was unable to deliver my heart felt feeling to him directly. It is important for me to deliver these same feelings to you and your family. I do not know how many of his students have been able to communicate with you or how many feel the way I do about his impact on my life. If ... Read Full Story >>

Vision For A Free Hospital

I entered medical school in 1967 to use medicine as a vehicle for social change. I used my free time to study the history of health care delivery around the world and to look at contemporary models with the idea of creating a medical model that would address all the problems of the way care is delivered. I didn't intend to create a model that would be the answer to the problems; but to model creative problem solving, and to spark each medical facility to design their own ideal rather than succumb to the garbage of managed care, or a resignation to the impossibility of humanistic care. Beginning in the climate of the political "war on poverty," I felt confident that a free hospital to serve the poorest state, West Virginia, would find easy funding and that we would be built in four years. I smile writing this as we ... Read Full Story >>

Words of Kindness For the Ill

I send cards to the terminally ill and don't usually expect anything in return.

This time, I sent an easter basket for a wife and husband; the husband had a tumor on his liver and is doing much better now. 

It turn out that the wife sent me a beautiful letter and a beautiful picture of the both of them!

I was so happy to get that. It really made my day.

A Cold Drink, a Hot Day, and a Great Smile!

At my son's school, the traffic is so hectic,  they have a traffic director to help the parents get in and out of the school parking area safely. 

Last week, I noticed how hot is was outside when I went to pick up my son.  The traffic director was sweating!!  It just so happened that I had packed an extra bottle of cold water before going to pick up my son.

As I handed the bottle of water out of the window to the traffic director (along with a smile card of course), the look on her face was absolutely priceless!!  I kept looking back in my rear view mirror as I drove away, and as long as I could see her, she was still smiling!  : )