Stories Matching 'Kindness of Strangers' Tag (357 matches)



Hugging The Repair Man

Had to call a repair man for my oven. I was totally lost without it. He worked endlessly to find the problem and managed to save me money. We exchanged stories about life, sons, learning, technology through the hours he committed to fixing my oven. I got so joyous when it worked, I hugged him and gave him a big smile with my many thanks.I think he may have been somewhat embarrassed initially, but as he left he said his work is worth more than his paycheck as he gets to meet really special people. I may have been one.....Smiles!

990 Reads

Grocery store kindess

Today, I was at the grocery store buying a few items when the lady in front of me couldn't find the change to complete her bill and was short 78 cents. She was all frazzled trying to find change to finish paying.

I then gave her a dollar to finish paying her bill. She was so grateful she kind of just stared at me surprised. She thanked me over and over again and apologized for not having the extra 78 cents. I told her not to worry about it and really it was only a dollar.

She kept smiling and thanking me for the littlest act of kindness and it felt really nice to help her out in a little way to keep her day running smoothly

 

1138 Reads

A food bank owner's wish for a young boy

I run a small thrift store to help support our small food bank. A mother stopped by with her ten year old son and asked if we could help her family out with a few groceries. I said yes and gathered up several bags of groceries for her.

When I returned to her vehicle where her son was, I asked if he could go into the food bank and select a few of his favorite foods. She said yes. He chose his favorite cereal and fruit roll ups. 

I wanted to make his visit special and even though we had made only $32.00 in the thrift store that day I gave him $20.00 of it. I asked him to surprise his mother and buy her and his lunch on the way home. I wanted him to remember this day as more than a trip to the food bank. I wanted him to be blessed with the possibility of acting on this moment for the rest of his life. 

1171 Reads

Kindess ripples in a grocery store line, in Ireland

A year ago while I was living in Dublin, I was in a supermarket waiting in the line to pay for my items after a long and tiresome day at work.

Since the line was long my eyes were wandering everywhere. When I was getting nearer until I noticed an elderly lady around in her late 80's just joined the last line of the another line opposite to where I was standing. Without any thought I went to her and told her that she can take my spot.

First she didn't accept saying that, "Oh! dear. It's a long line. I don't want to trouble you." I said, "No worries mam. It is not a problem for me."  and I just smiled at her. Then she thanked me and I helped her to my spot then joined the line in the very last.

Within few seconds a couple of people standing in the line where I was standing started to offer me their spot and I ended up standing next to that elderly lady. For a moment it felt like that place was filled with kindness. Which was so beautiful to experience.

1215 Reads

Warm Heart Warm Hands for the Winter

With the winter weather kicking in the homeless are having a tough time. I see them every day sitting on cardboard with a sleeping bag and or dog to keep them warm. Usually, I buy them a hot drink or hot food, hoping that will help warm them. 

This year I prepared some small packages as well. Each has a pair of gloves, because I see many with bare hands in such cold weather. I also included the small hand warmers you get in the 99 cent stores. Then I add snacks, hygiene products and for those with a dog, some dried dog food.

1649 Reads

Elderly's kind service to their community

A story on receiving kindness.  I used to pass through on a daily basis  a busy four lane highway and intersection in Adajan, Surat India. There aren't ever traffic police to be seen controlling vehicles movement on  this critical four lane crossroads even during peak rush hours.

I always got stuck in traffic getting angry at our Surat police. Sometimes I fumed at other peoples' insensitivity of hurriedly thinking of themselves first instead of kindly letting others pass though. Many times I too thought to get out the car and direct the traffic. But it was not possible. 

Few months back a group of elderly people who used to sit and socialize in the 'Shantikunj' garden took this initiative to direct the traffic on peak hours daily. They were doing it without any expectations and just to help society.

I was really happy to see the non-chaotic lanes. I salute those elderly people and thank them too. There is kindness in our society. We all have kindness somewhere deep in our hearts. We need to bring it out and spread kindness in the society.

1447 Reads
  • Posted by prathama
  • Dec 23, 2015
  • 7 Comments
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Sushi With A Smile


My sushi shop has got loyalty cards, each pack of sushi gets a stamp, nine stamps and the next one is free. This afternoon I felt like brown rice vegetarian sushi for lunch, and got my 9th stamp. I then passed my sushi card along with a smile card to the person behind me in line so her sushi was free :-) she thanked me about three times, everyone was happy!

1179 Reads

Reusable Kindness

An "adopted" mother treated me to lunch today :) I much enjoyed the little attached gift shop nearby!

They had a special deal on reusable bags, so I bought some and gave one to woman behind me line (tucked a SMILE card in too).

I'll bring an extra bag wherever I go shopping to share, being mindful of the Smile Deck's prompt of handing out reusable bags this week :))).

772 Reads

Melvin Off The Streets

[This post is dedicated to my mother, whose birthday it is today, Jan 15th. She has held a lifelong practice of feeding needy people on her parents & children’s birthdays. What’s more inspiring to me is that she did it with so much humility that I never even learned that she was doing this until I was in my early 30s. I love you Mummy, and honor you by practicing the values you have lived by-- which have become my values.] I heard fervent mumbling beneath the blankets when I approached. “Melvin, are you under there?” He pops his head out and let’s out a slightly hysterical laugh. “Yah- yeah… I was just praying. Praying that somebody would bring me dinner.” That alone was enough to bring a knot to my throat. “Well, I have your dinner,” I say quietly, “and its warm.” Melvin had reason to be praying. For most of the last 6 months, ... Read Full Story >>

1758 Reads

I Stood By Her

I was coming back from home late at night in a 'Sharing' mini van. In Hyderabad, India, it is a cheap and quick mode of transport. The van drivers ply as many as 13 people at times in a vehicle which is built for the transport of 8 people. Our van was over crowded as well. People were getting off and on at many places. One girl signaled the driver to stop. She wriggled herself out of the van. While getting down, she tripped and fell. None of us noticed it, as it was dark. The driver was waiting for her to pay. It was then we saw that the girl was on her knees by the side of the road.  Another passenger and I got down and held her up.  Even in pain, she held up a note and asked us to pay the driver. The other passenger took the note ... Read Full Story >>

1969 Reads

Words to set you free

I wrote two more letters/cards to prisoners tonight. Included in the card, as they always are, will be peace doves.

But not only do I always include doves, but there is something else I always do. I write an inspirational quote or uplifting words on the back of the envelope.

Tonight I had the bible near and decided to open randomly to any page. Before I did I said a little prayer and asked if there is a verse for this prisoner that I be led to it. I was blown away. Of everything it says in the bible or could have said I opened to this page and my finger landed on Ezekiel 36:26 which reads.

"And I give you a new heart, with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart".

The last sentence I left out on back of card as I didn't want to emphasise or use the word sin.

I know this quote was divinely chosen especially for the recipient ♡

846 Reads

A Slice of Generosity

We took the kids for dinner at Pizza Express. There was a very friendly lady dining alone at the next table who clearly had special needs. When the time came for her to pay the bill, her bank card was declined. The waitress told to her, in a very kind way, that there was a problem but that she would call her manager for help. Jeremy, my husband,  immediately leapt up and told the waiting staff that we would pay for the lady's meal. However, when the manager arrived, he explained to the lady that she couldn't use her bank card to pay, but that there was no need to worry. Pizza Express authorizes the restaurant to give away two free meals per month.  On this occasion, they would like to provide her with a free meal. She was extremely grateful and apologetic that she had been unable to pay.  We ... Read Full Story >>

2597 Reads

Anything Helps: A Father, A Brother, And Me

Today, I was rushing to an appointment and I passed a man sitting on the sidewalk, leaning against a building, holding a cardboard sign over his head. As I sped-walked past him, I glanced at the sign-- it read "Anything Helps" in thin, blue ink. You could barely read it if you weren't looking closely. There are many homeless people in the city where I live, and I've recently noticed how, when I first moved to this city a decade ago, I'd stop and do whatever I could each time I passed by someone in need, whereas now, I walk right by and avoid interacting as much as possible. I've been wondering why that is. Have I gotten busier? More cautious and jaded over time? Even though I know a human being is a human being, no matter what mental state or social status they carry, or how much or little money ... Read Full Story >>

2238 Reads

I Couldn't Ignore Her Wet Socks And Sandals

It was raining and chilly. I passed a homeless woman with wet socks and sandals. I asked her if she had any other shoes than that and she said she didn't. So I asked her if she would like a pair of shoes that would keep out the cold and damp. She was very eager, not surprisingly. Her feet were soggy though at least she had an umbrella and a hooded summer jacket on. It was my honour and pleasure to go with her to a shoe store there and then and do some shoe shopping. I don't have a lot of money so I told her the budget and she was like, "Oh, I can't spend that much any way. I just couldn't." In fact she chose a pair of rain repelling shoes which were on sale and the least expensive in that budget shoe store. She seemed grateful, and ... Read Full Story >>

4319 Reads

Roadside Kindness

The morning started on a bit of a low note, but brightened considerably with a simple courtesy. Driving my son to his girlfriend's, we were following a pickup laden with firewood.

As we entered the village, he pulled over. I assumed it was his house so carried on past, and parked myself by the side of the road whilst son ran his errand. The road through this village is very narrow, room to turn only in a square at the end.

Just after I stopped, the same pick up pulled up behind me. The chap explained that he was about to unload his wood and would block the road beyond where I was.

Now he could have just left me to reverse out, but very patiently waited for me to drive all the way to end of the road to turn around before he started. Such a little gesture, but very welcome.

I repaid his kindness by helping him fling his firewood over the wall whilst I waited for my son. That was quite fun!

1452 Reads

The Lost Wallet

I was driving after school on Monday from Dublin to Drogheda and on my way home, I saw a wallet on top of a white car just as he turned into the main road. The wallet fell from the car and I sounded the horn twice but he didn’t hear. So, I checked the wallet to see if I could get any phone number to call.  I found and called two numbers but I was told they were wrong number.

I later found a driving license and used the address to find his estate in Termonfeckin, which is a 15 minute drive away from Drogheda. When I got to his house, I saw his wife and the first thing she asked was if I had found a wallet. I started smiling and I said yes. The lady was really happy and called her husband. He ran to us at the gate and welcomed me to their house. After giving the wallet to him, he checked to see if everything was inside. They offered me 20 euros for gas but I refused it. 

1352 Reads
  • Posted by benkorri003
  • Dec 5, 2016
  • 9 Comments
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A run of errands led her to meet a young man in need of kindness

It has been a very, very blessed week of giving simple, sometimes handmade sweets,  beautifully wrapped gifts, and handmade cards to various helpers in the community. I want to thank them for how they go beyond the call of duty with their homespun friendliness. I have walked all over the place - can't drive due to medicine I have to take. It's been wonderful and I have stopped to have warm chats too. I really wasn't trying to meet my KindSpring Day 18 challenge to make time to listen to someone, but it happened anyway!  In going hither and tither I came across a young man sleeping rough. I admit I was so busy I was going to go past his sign requesting help with just a smile, but as I walked on, I suddenly turned around with a little donation and a Smile Card as well as one of the You ... Read Full Story >>

1263 Reads




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