Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Box of Smiles With A Letter


--by MakeSomeoneSmile, posted Mar 19, 2009

A few months ago I posted a story about a woman struggling with alcoholism who reached out to me. I sent her a care pack full of smiles, encouraging words and some treats to help her out, along with a special letter I wrote to her. It has been almost 3 months and she is still doing great. She sends me updates and I send her encouraging notes. But, as I have said before, you never know how much something you say or do means to someone else. What happened next reminds me of how true that is.

She read a story that another woman posted about being an alcoholic and how she needed to stop drinking, if only for her children. I read it too but she was quick to act. She e-mailed me and asked if I would put a "box of smiles" together for this woman and send it to her. You see, she wanted very much to pay it forward, bless her heart. I was honored by her request and said that I would but asked her to write the card. She agreed and sent it to me. I received it last night. Along with it was a poem she wrote for me and a letter that touched my heart more than I could have ever imagined. Something I did that I thought was no big deal has meant the world to this woman and changed her life. She told me she keeps the card I wrote with her at all times so that if she feels weak, she reads it and makes it through. Now she is paying it forward, touching even more lives.

You never know how much something you say or do can mean to someone else. Please seize the opportunity to be kind anytime you can. I have had the pleasure of being reminded of that in some very wonderful ways how much it matters. EVERYTHING matters.

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Readers Comments

missjones wrote: you are amazing....
AURELIA wrote: Truly Wonderful. Thank you for sharing you kindness with someone in need. Sometimes it is easier to reach out to a stranger with things like that...and she picked the perfect 'stranger' ...and she now has a friend...and what a WONDERFUL SMILEY friend to have. Bless you Smile Maker...~Aurelia
bhappy wrote: Makesomesmile: You are AWESOME!! Its cool that you get to hear of how wonderful she is doing...I like what Aurelia said "what a wonderful smiley friend she has... Here's a Big Panda Bear Hug for you.....Becki
TRESSYANNE wrote: that is so wonderful. it is such a wonderful feeling when you know you have helped someone and then that person helps someone else. We all just need to keep the chain going.
:)
tressy
lmil1954 wrote: This is fabulous MSS- what a great loving heart you have been blessed with! thanks for sharing this wonderful story! Love, Linda:)
lobsterwife wrote: Coming from a family with a lot of alcoholism you have no idea what you have done. God Bless You and your wonderful giving heart!
JuneBug wrote: Here's ANOTHER Big Panda Bear Hug!! OOPS! Hope I didn't squeeze the stuffin' out of ya!!! :)
snipersunil wrote: Hi Friend MakeSomeOneSmile,

I am very thankful to u that u give me ur great comment on story "A Teenager's View Of Heaven"

And ur stories has also a great power, that I like. Thanking for beautiful posting.
vsoul wrote: Fantastic. What a mesgae. I too never withold or judge my acts of kindness that it is too small and will not make any difference. Kindly...vibha
cabbage wrote: That is sooooo wonderful. You are always making a difference and it is so great to know that your help to this woman is being passed on even more.

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