Stories by bobdillian (3 matches)

The Christmas Stranger

I live in Scotland. The bedrooms at the side of the house look out over the Cellardyke harbour with the front entrance and windows directly onto the road facing the Haven Restaurant. I stood at the kitchen window looking out; what houses I could see were brightly lit, families together - husbands and sons home from the sea. It was in the days between Christmas, that time of goodwill to all men and the New Year, a time when we usually pledge our good intentions of change. The streets were bare, not a soul to be seen.    Then, in the lee of the wall by the restaurant, a figure moved, slowly and with care, as though to deny he was there, standing cold and hungry at this time of celebration and cheer. It was an old tramp, a Man O' The Road. He had long straggly hair, and a grey beard. His ... Read Full Story >>

Smile Cards Make The Headlines

A year ago, I felt like I just needed to do something nice for someone. So, I picked up the ten Smile cards that someone (I'm not sure who) had sent me. I gave them out, along with a rose each, to my friends at my school.

A couple of weeks later I saw a copy of my school newspaper. There was an article in it about smile cards! My friends passed the Smile cards on and half the school had received gifts of kindness. 
 
I cut out the page from the newspaper and taped it on the wall of my bedroom. It has been on my wall ever since and it still makes me smile!
 

Just Be There

Once, many years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was eventually scheduled for a mastectomy.

On the morning of her surgery, I attended a college class in which the husband of a good friend was also a student. On most mornings, we would say "hello" to one another and that was about it. He would sit with his guy friends, and I usually sat alone.

When he entered class that morning, he came and sat next to me. He never mentioned my mom, never talked about the situation at all. He just sat next to me and chatted a bit.

That was the day I learned that, sometimes, the kindest act is just to be there. I always remember his gesture as one of the most touching acts of kindness I've ever received. 

A Reason To Celebrate

A Reason To Celebrate