Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Had the most curious thing happen yesterday, and am almost hesitant about sharing as it might sound odd!

When I awoke Thursday morning I was full of a cold! Sinuses ached something painful, nose stuffed up, eyes streaming continuously, stomach ache, intestinal distress, aches all over and headache! I am about to travel so was less than thrilled with catching a summer cold at this point, but I tried not to worry too much about it and rest-up a bit more, pottering about, packing up and tidying.

Around 11 am I decided it was unfair of my dear poodle pal to be waiting until my husband came home for lunch to go out again for a an outdoor "business trip", at the least, so I went downstairs and took her out to the little park close to my house. There I saw a shape of a person in a tatty black sleeping bag, sleeping rough beneath some trees.

I still was all achy and drippy, but let my dog play a bit and even threw the ball for her for sometimes, her favorite thing in life (poodle's are retrievers, actually working dogs as they used to help hunters). We played and she had a great time dashing back and forth with her prize ball but I was really getting tired.

Nevertheless, the fellow sleeping rough was on my mind and I decided, since it was a fairly hot day, that I would come back and bring him a big glass bottle of cold water I keep in the fridge, plus some sandwiches and snacks. I stuck a travel tooth brush and toothpaste in the bag, along with a little wash cloth, and thought it would be a good time to give away my first "gift tin" with its message, "Everything is Going to be Okay", and gifted with a 'Mindy Peace dove', a kind card from (Kindspring member) Rajni,  a SMILE you've been tagged card, a YOU MATTER card, a bit of money (from savings from not having my hair done at a hair dresser's for a wedding), a personal note wishing him well and one of my own decorated quote hearts, a pretty little rock and shell I found on the shore of our nearby sea.

I became excited making the food for him, and putting the bag together. Then I went out again and as I walked close to the fellow, I noticed a painter of a nearby house watching me closely. He looked very worried. I waved and he urged me to come to him with his hand but I put him off with my own.

I went close, but not quite up to the sleeper, not wanting to disturb or startle, and said "Here is some cold water, sandwiches, and a little something else for you," and a fellow lifted his head and said a groggy thank you.

I left with blessings and stopped to see the painter when I crossed the street. He was amused now. He said he wasn't sure what I was going to do with that big glass bottle I was holding, he thought I might nudge the fellow to see if he was dead or hit him on the head! I laughed in surprise at that ridiculous idea and then he laughed too. That he would actually think I was going to hit the fellow! Oh heavens. And then he said I shouldn't "encourage them" like I did with food etc. I explained that it could be you or me there, or it could be my own child. He looked serious and said "Fair enough. Fair enough."

When I went back into the house. Something was missing, but what? and then I noticed. I had no cold any more, no aches any where, throbbing head gone, sinuses clear and dry, eyes clear, stomach ache gone. All I had done was bring a little something to help a rough sleeper get by.

Could that be it? Think what you might, but I was feeling so happy at that point and so well and hopeful, I can only think that it was a healing gift for me, and one for which I was and am very grateful. Still feeling good today, no cold or anything but a hopeful attitude!

Feeling very nurtured and nurturing. Be well, be blessed!