Stories of Kindness from Around the World

She Met Him On Her Daily Walk, And Brought A Little Sunshine To His Day


--by healingtree, posted Apr 8, 2017
Today I awoke, as usual, hours before dawn and after my prayer/chant and meditation, plus making a drink.

I spent time on my computer crisis line email groups replying in emails to various people in dire situations such as suicidal thinking, extreme loneliness, mental and physical illnesses, despair, family and money troubles, and so on. Just about anything that becomes cause to write another for some guidance, referral or help. That voluntary work brought me to dawn.

I took a break, and considered it a kindness to not talk about negative things but good and positive things, and in my "gentle (not anxious as I might feel) voice." In this way enjoyed breakfast with my husband, a very lovely kind soul himself. As always, a pleasant---but short---- interlude.

When he left for the world of research, I returned to my own world that includes caring for my house in general upkeep, business matters, painting, poetry and a very dear poodle. The kindest act at this point, though, before anything else, is to take my PoodleNoodle out for a walk down to the sea. 

We were walking down to the beach. And on the promenade, sitting on a bench looking out to a calm morning sea, and next to his tatty red sleeping bag was a nice chap named Calvin, a newbie to this area. When I saw him for the first time last week, sitting on the ground outside of one of the many (sadly) empty shops, he looked like a big, tough fellow in his early forties, sporting an unkempt beard, worn leather and tattoos, but after introducing myself and giving him a bag with a sandwich, banana, and a bottle of chocolate milk, we got to talking.

Now I was in a hurry (as usual) to get home, but I sensed he was a good man in need. It turned out after I got to talking with Calvin, that while walking along the main road leading into town just the very day before, his long-term dog companion had been swiped on the side by a passing truck, and somehow taken under its wheels. All of which horror he had witnessed. The truck didn't stop.

This tragic loss of his companion hit him badly, understandably, and we talked about the dog and his life with him for awhile, perhaps just over half an hour. As I said good-bye he was wiping away the tears that big men like him don't shed often or much of, but which are all the more meaningful for that. He was not consoled, of course, but glad to have been able to talk about the death. I have to add that Calvin ended up with a lovely multi-colored Peace Dove, (made by KindSpring member Mindy) and I told him the story of the 20,000 doves that have flown all over the world in the name of spreading peace. I've been able to distribute quite a few of those now. And people are always impressed and seem pleased to have been chosen for it. He expressed real gratefulness for the dove, sensing the spirit behind it.

Today he was sitting with a loud, jumpy black dog of indeterminate breed. Of course I went up and said hello, holding my own PoodleNoodle to my chest as she was frightened by his big noisy(and toothy) puppy. After we exchanged greetings, he told me that at some point last week some other kindly people came by and offered to take him to the Rescue Shelter to find another dog. Not that he could replace the one who had been with him for five years, through thick--and mostly---thin. But here Calvin was, with his new dog, a four-month old with the look of a boxer-type and very healthy vocal chords. "I'll have to train him," Calvin said. That's for sure! And no doubt he will do a good job of it, as he says he has always been with a dog, ever since he was a kid growing up in a middle class family in the southeast of England....

But this isn't the time to go into Calvin's background. I left him with enough money for lunch, and hurried home to carry on with my day's tasks.


 
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Readers Comments

John74 wrote: A beautiful tribute to the world! Thank you!!
mindyjourney wrote: Such a dear story about Calvin too ❤️. Thank you for being such a kindness force throughout your day, touching so many lives in so many ways! Grateful for you!
Rajni wrote: Mindy said it all. Thank for inspirational posting .
Mish wrote: Not only did your chosen graphic bring me a big smile, but your sharing such an amazingly wonderful day with us filled my heart with deep admiration for you, dear healingtree. Bless you for your kindness actions.
kjoyw wrote: Just love smiles and this one is great!
autumnsky38 wrote: Oh honey-you are a force of nature!! Thank you for all of the acts of kindness you do, and for sharing them here. I get such inspiration from all of you, I'm almost ready to burst after a KS session! Btw I love the sunflower with a smile! lol!
splain wrote: You had a truly beautiful day. The way you express yourself is so real that I felt I was walking with you through your day. Sheer wonderful. Your love life shines through. Thank you for this beautiful post
leoladyc728 wrote: such a glorious sunflower. One of my favorite flowers
laughingsoul wrote: This wonderful share shown such a beautiful poetic soul, thank you for spreading kindness!
cabbage wrote: What a beautiful day. Thank you so so much for sharing this. Feel like i was there with you.

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