Stories by Helenconnell2 (90 matches)

A Privilege To Listen

I was on my way to meet a friend as I was a little early, I popped into one of the charity shops. There was a woman with 3 children. She told the girls not to touch anything as they were both eating lollies. They left the shop before me and were waiting outside. I smiled at her and told how well she was doing. I also said raising children is hard. I listened to her for a couple of minutes. She thanked me for stopping and listening.

Gifting Knotted Bag

When our daughter and partner meet up with us in Durham they are coming with Jack's parents. His mum is called Helen as well and I've briefly met her before. We are taking them to Durham Cathedral because they've never visited and there's also a special exhibition on. I knitted a bag for my daughter last year so I've knitted one for Jack's mum.

A Good Day

Yesterday, I went to a cricket match between England Women's Team and India Women's Team. There was a wonderful atmosphere and I thoroughly enjoyed the match and celebrations.

When I arrived at the ground, I bought a programme which I read when I got to my seat. I remembered having bought a previous one and whilst it's a lovely souvenir of the day, it usually finished up filed on a bookshelf and forgotten about. Later in the day, I went into the shop and decided to buy a 'Cricket Alphabet' book to send to the boy for him to share with other students. It sruck me that rather than filing my programme, I could send it along with the alphabet I would include it in the package for Poovarasu.

Kindness Repaid

I had a lovely experience of rewarded kindness today. I was shopping in the supermarket and found a packet of corn thins which were gluten-free to give to my daughter when she comes home for Christmas next month. I couldn't see a price for them but I didn't mind what I paid. I joined a queue to exit and a man with four thins in a basket was going to queue behind me. I looked at him and asked if that was all he had. He nodded so I told him to go ahead of me. He was through very quickly as I expected and the till-operator began scanning my items until she came to the packet of corn thins because they were coming up 'Product not found.' She asked for assistance and a member of staff went to look at the shelves. He came back a couple of minutes later and handed ... Read Full Story >>

This Stranger Overheard Her Roommates and Her in Line and Jumped in to Help

Our daughter Ruth went to university on Saturday. I called her last night about a letter. She was very excited when I spoke to her and asked if I had a few minutes so she could tell me a story. She told me that she and her flatmates had gone shopping at the local supermarket. They were in the queue at the store and were debating whether they had enough money to pay for everything. A nearby gentleman asked if there was a problem. When they told him, he paid for all of their shopping. She said 'Mum we have a fridge and freezer full of food and it didn't cost anything!" It's such a welcome gift and an unexpected surprise isn't it? When we find kindness while not even looking for it! ... Read Full Story >>

Act of Kindness

Young people often seem to get a bad image especially from the media. I wanted to share my experience this morning, to show how unfair that image is.

Richard and I were walking towards the bus, and there was a bin on the sidewalk, and a car was parked partly on the sidewalk too, making it difficult to walk. A boy of about ten came round the corner on a scooter and I stopped. As soon as he saw us he stopped his scooter, moved back into a better position and let us through first.

I gave him a big smile and thanked him for such a lovely act of kindness.

Unexpected Surprises

Two wonderful acts of kindness this week to share.

My husband lost his phone and I rang it. He had dropped it on a train. Someone found it and sent me a text that they were going to hand it in at the first stop on the route. We collected it yesterday and
so grateful that it turned up.

The other was a friend of my daughter (who is still struggling) turned up at our house and took her to the airport to watch the planes to land and take off. She was smiling when she came home. x
 

My Hairdresser Is Retiring ...

My hairdresser is retiring today after seventeen years. Over those years, she's been a friend and counsellor as well as my hairdresser. After Richard's operations in 2014 she started doing his hair because the scars often frightened hairdressers but Babs took it all in stride.

We wanted to give her something special. Richard said he'd seen several bouquets when he had his hair done on Wednesday. I decided to make her a card and inside we put one of Mindy's peace doves. We finished it by giving her a voucher for a loan to LendWithCare. The photo shows you an idea of everything.

Love Knows No Boundaries

As you know there was a shocking event in New Zealand yesterday. Richard and I were going out for a meal last night and booked a taxi.
The driver welcomed us and began talking. The subject of the deaths in the Mosques came up and we said how shocked we were. He pulled out his phone and shared a photo.

It was a man standing outside a mosque here who held a card. ' I am a Christian and you are my brothers and sisters, I will protect you while you pray.'

It was so beautiful to see love being shared x

Today, I Worked On Self Care

Today, I worked on caring for myself. I bought some yarn in October to make a short sleeve jumper. The pattern implied I would need more yarn than I actually needed. I've made a scarf to give to Richard for Christmas and today I finished this one. The great thing is there are still about four balls of yarn left so I will use them to make something either as a Christmas present or a donation towards a fund-raiser.

The picture shows one end of the scarf (both ends are matching).

Reverse Advent Calendars

One of our local churches suggested putting an item each day during Advent in a bag for the food bank.

In previous years I have used a calendar provided by Oxfam or Christian Aid which suggested you did things like putting 10p in a collection for each light you have.

So I am trying to combine the two. Buy a second item to put in the food bank. I don’t feel comfortable putting it altogether after Christmas so I donate what I have collected each week.

Lovely Restaurant Surprise

Last August when we visited our daughter at university we went to a meal and it was rather disappointing.
When I completed the survey, I said I was disappointed it wasn't up to the usual standard and that the restaurant itself wasn't properly ventilated. I gave them my email address and asked them to contact me.

A member of the management team contacted me and asked for my phone number so they could discuss it with me. Katie rang me and we had a great conversation. She asked me to let her know when we would be coming again. We went to visit our daughter again yesterday so last week I emailed Katie and she booked us in. We had a great meal and Richard and I had a glass of wine each. When I asked for the bill they had only charged for the wine which was a lovely surprise.

I emailed her this morning to thank her so much for doing this.

 

Spontaneous Kindness

Last year I had won some tickets to Frozen 2, and we took the daughter of one of our neighbours along with us to watch it. This morning I went shopping for the essentials we needed, and left Richard at home because he has an infection which I think is cellulitis.

Halfway through the supermarket, I met the neighbour and her daughter doing their shopping.She asked me if we were all right and I said I was worried about Richard because of the infection.

She immediately pulled out some paper and a pen and wrote her mobile number down. 'If you need anything ring me.' I was overwhelmed by her kindness.

 

Money Found

Another story on KindSpring about a missing wallet reminded me of when my daughter was in primary school. I was walking with her to school and when we passed our bank I went to use the hole in the wall. There was a man using the other machine. I was busy doing the transactions and when I had put my money away my daughter pointed to the floor and showed me a £20 note. I picked it up and she told me about the old gentleman.

I took her to school and promised to go into the bank on my way home because it would be open by then. I gave it to a lady and left my contact details. A couple of hours later she rang and asked me to call in which I did on my way to meet my daughter. The man was so grateful he had left £3 which I gave to my daughter as she was the one who found it

Kindness Received

I wanted to share the wonderful kindness I have received in the last couple of days. The leader of our choir wanted to do something good for us all and to say goodbye to one member who returns to Germany next week. So he and his wife invited us all to a barbecue at their house. As we don't have transport, the Salvation Army majors picked us up and brought us home. It was a wonderful evening and I so enjoyed it.

This morning my husband and I went shopping. There was a sign about extra loyalty points on some products. I bought three of them but the points weren't on my receipt. I checked at the customer service desk and she promised to put them on. In the process I discovered I hadn’t been charged for the item but because it had gone through they didn't want the money. So I have put it in the bag for the food bank.

A Book For The Collection Point

Sifting through my daughter's books over the weekend, I found a large one which is packed full of stories and rhymes in large print for parents and children to read together. I bought it for her when she was three or four and as she's now 23.  I took it along to the collection box at the supermarket as part of my shopping yesterday which is to the left of the main entrance of the store. There were a couple of the security people standing close by and one of them said, 'That's a large book, what is it?” I explained what it was and he asked if it was okay to take it out. He was looking through it and said it might be suitable for his niece. I smiled as I walked away and then added, 'If it's any use to you, please do take it.' I hope he did because ... Read Full Story >>

Helping to Feed Others is Food for the Soul

The order I had placed for different food products arrived

Wednesday. It included oat bars and some other oat products. I put the part of the order for my daughter into a bag and put it in her bedroom.

From the previous delivery there was also a case of oatcakes which I had ordered but didn't need it for myself, so I put them altogether in one package to take to the food bank. All of the gifts were gratefully received especially the gluten-free oat bars which went into the special section for those with allergies and special diets.
 

Fixing the Boiler for the Buyer

We are in the process of moving. Before Christmas there was a problem with the central heating boiler and when it was repaired we were told to have the system flushed. We contacted our plumber who always does this type of work for us and she and one of her assistants are here today.

To cut a long story short - it is going to take more money to make everything straight but I've told her to do it and we will pay. It's the least we can do as we will receive considerably more money than we anticipated from the sale and also have money from my mother-in-law's estate.

The young couple who are buying it are getting married this year so we want to help them as much as possible.

Taking Advantage of Offers on Behalf of others

Today, I checked the supermarket app and they have put a new offer on there for this weekend. It's for clothing in their range. I don't need any clothes at the moment so I am going to purchase something for a baby or small child and give it to the foodbank for a family who might need it.
                                  

Supermarket Kindness

I went shopping this morning. The store was confusing. The great thing was everyone was helpful with each other and smiled.

The nicest thing happened in the queue for the till. I discovered I had forgotten to get cauliflower. The lady in front of me said, "Leave your trolley while you get it, and I'll keep an eye on it."  That was very kind of her.



 

Service And Help To The Foodbank

Before my operation I had to isolate and couldn't do my normal grocery shopping. Of course, I've not been able to do any shopping since the operation.

Before the operation, we placed an online order from our normal supermarket and we've continued at regular intervals. When I was placing the order for today, I put a couple of items in for the foodbank. This morning I received an email that they had to send a replacement for one of the items on the order. We discussed it with the driver and he said we could keep them and he would knock them off because they usually destroyed anything returned. I thanked him and said I would put them in the foodbank!

Recycling And Reusing

This morning i thought about a couple who have been coming regularly to Open House and I didn't want them to feel left out as I have a present for a couple of other people there.

As I walked up and down the aisles getting what I needed I noticed they had some reusable coffee mugs and I know Traci and Chris always bring their own cups to Open House.

I found one with koalas on it and another with express yourself (both are made from sustainable materials so it was a win-win situation.

I buy our tooth brushes from a company which make and disbrute sustainable products. They sent me three toothbrushes and holders yesterday wrapped in such pretty paper and I've used the paper to wrap the cups up.

I love recycling and reusing!

Paying It Forward With Something For Free Postage

I took all the items I'd accumulated to Open House this morning. Before I went, I ordered some new wash bags for putting delicate items in the washing machine. I was very close to free postage when I saw they made cupcake cases and that was just enough to take me over the limit for free delivery - so I ordered some. I don't make cupcakes but I know they will be appreciated by Angela who serves tea and coffee and makes sandwiches at Open House. I'm really glad I found them as there wasn't anything suitable for the food bank.

The Post Was Delivered

The post was delivered about an hour ago and I had a package for them to pick up. A notebook I ordered came through the letter box but the post lady carried on. Richard said 'Do you want me to chase after her?' I said no because if there was a problem we could always drop it in the letterbox nearby.

A few minutes ago, Richard saw the post lady pass the window and as I was getting my keys and the package, she rang the doorbell. She had two packages in her arms and she suggested as they were for me, I take them first. i did and then she scanned my package and put it in her bag.

Look what came in the post!

Another Easy Way To Help Others

A couple of weeks ago, my husband bought a carton of yoghurt which had spolit. We both assumed it hadn't travelled well and the next day he bought another one which was the same.

I took photos including the batch numbers and emailed them. They thanked me for highlighting the issue and promised to contact me when they had completed the investigation.

Last week a package arrived with £6 of vouchers towards more of their products. They were split into four vouchers - 2 times £1 and 2 times £2. I don't often buy their other products but I noticed that a carton of almond milk or a carton of coconut milk were available and they cost two pounds.

I bought one of each and used the £2 vouchers to pay for them. I transferred them to the foodbank trolley.

Easy To Pay Forward

Late last year I discovered a UK company who were selling toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and laundry sheets. I ordered toilet rolls to begin with and then ordered kitchen rolls and laundry sheets. The box with toilet rolls had 36 and we are still using them because they are good quality. The paper products are made from recycled paper and they plant one tree for each toilet roll or kitchen roll sold and for the laundry sheets they arrange to remove plastic from the ocean. Although the kitchen rolls are extremely economical we put them on subscription every 8 weeks. We were due to receive another box of them yesterday but when the order arrived - there was a box of toilet rolls. I contacted the company who were very apologetic and told me I could keep them and they would send me the kitchen rolls. While shopping this morning, I bought six ... Read Full Story >>

Knitted Blanket For Church

The last few days I've been visiting friends in Bath, Somerset. I embroidered a lighthouse for the friend I'm staying with and I made a large knitted blanket for the church. Claire who is a part of the church said to Jo (the church leader) on seeing the blanket 'She really must love us, that's moss stitch and to have made a whole blanket with that stitch, she must love us.' Of course, I do becuase they've always always been so kind to me.

Uplifted by the Toothbuckle Team

I have talked before about the lovely ladies who run Toothbuckle. The weekend after I was diagnosed with cancer, I sent them some pictures. Last Saturday, I received a reply. One of them had lost their father shortly before Easter and so they apologised for not replying sooner.

They are always so kind and Ali who wrote the letter this time, empathised with me and then added if there was any way they could help to let them know. I was overwhelmed by their kindness. This afternoon I replied and told them how uplifted I was by their email.

Sending A Thank You Note

I was a jump ahead on this one this week. Our favourite coffee shop - Caffe Nero in Leeds closed its doors earlier this week before we had a chance to thank the staff for all they've done in the last few weeks. So I went on the chain's website and chose compliment and sent an email thanking them for what they do and have done. I got a lovely email a couple of days later from their head office thanking me for my time and assuring me the staff would hear about it.

So I will give some thought as to who I can send a similar note to this week.

Supporting Environmental Projects

When the repayments come in at the end of the month from lendwithcare - I usually find I have enough funds to lend to four more people or groups. Today was no exception and I immediately lent the minimum amount to a lady entrepreneur who was expanding her farm to help with her family. Then I noticed four groups of people who wanted loans for solar panels. I decided as it is my birthday in the coming week, I would make a loan to all four groups using some of my birthday money as well as the credit I already had.

I'm really glad when I can support environmental projects especially when it helps them to improve and help their own community.

A Haven of Hope

Unexplainable Gift At My Door

Making an Effort to Help Strangers

Take One or Leave One