A Lesson in Kindness That Began 50 Years Ago

--by dotrut2001, posted Dec 1, 2009

My lesson in kindness began many years ago.

At age 13, I was taking a bus cross-country, from Illinois to Washington, to be with my Dad and siblings. I had no money, not even a penny. After the bus had made three or four meal stops, where I stayed on the bus, the lady next to me started a conversation.

She finally asked me if I had food money. I was afraid to admit that I didn't have any. Well, the lady's trip ended in Topeka, Kansas. When she got ready to get off the bus, she handed me $20. $20 was a lot of money in those days. She told me she had also been hungry in her life and I needed to eat. At the next stop, I ate like there was no tomorrow.

That was 50 years ago and I have never forgotten that kind woman and have been paying it forward every since.

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Posted by dotrut2001
Dec 1, 2009
Comments (5)

Readers Comments

harriet wrote: A beautiful story and wonderful that the memory has affected you and stayed with you. God bless you and the woman.

FairyBubbles wrote: there are lots of beautiful people in this world - thank you so much for sharing your story.

bluebell wrote: What I found beautiful in your story was how you finished it "that was 50 years ago ....have been paying it foward ever since" it shows how far can one act of kindness go 50 years is the future is just amazing. Now just imagine 50 years of kindness. You are an Angel touched by an Angel a long time ago. Love and Light, Bluebell

mimzy wrote: You were so young, yet this act of kindness was such a big lesson.
Just think of all the people who you have touched over the years! And if all of them continued to pass on the kindness like you did... the numbers boggle the mind!

AnjuDV wrote: Thanks for sharing this. Me too experienced the same thing 5 years back when I was on my way to UK and was in transit in Istambul. I had no Turkey currency and my 4 years daughter was feeling very thirsty. I was so helpless and suddenly an angle come and bought a bottle of water for me and my daughter. Thanks to him and God. Believe me, kindness pay in the way of blessings like i got. Prayers - Anju

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