Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Several months ago, at the beginning of the school year, I heard from a friend about a young lady who had recently moved to our area. She was a student from another country with only her small stipend to make do and had just rented a small apartment. My friend told me that she had very little in the way of possessions. I got the young lady's telephone number and called her, explaining that I was a friend of a friend and I heard she might be able to use a few household items. She said, "Yes, thank you!" and mentioned that she had slept on the floor of the apartment the night before with only her coat to cover her and that it was a bit chilly.

As every mother knows, when our children are away at school we constantly worry about their welfare, and, everyone's child is my child, too, even if they are 22 years old! So, I put the word out to a couple of my friends about this young lady. One cleaned out her kitchen cabinets and provided pots and pans, some glassware, a jacket, a blanket. My mother raided her cabinets for items. My husband graciously consented to help play "moving man" to transport our TV room loveseat, furniture cover, my daughter's twin bed, mattress, boxspring and more. My colleague here at work went out and purchased a brand-new comforter set, a small set of silverware, dishes and glasses.

When we actually arrived at the girl's apartment with her we saw that LITERALLY there was no furniture in the apartment. Someone had loaned her a sleeping bag and someone else had given her a plant, but, otherwise, it was a vacant apartment. After unloading our offerings (which took a total of 3 trips; our minivan isn't that spacious) we took her back to campus.

She thanked me over and over again and could not believe that all these people whom she had not even met had given her all these things. I explained that people liked to help and that others had helped us in the past. She asked if there was anything she could do to repay us. I told her: "Yes. there is one thing you can do for us: when you are in a position to help others, please remember to try and help." With a smile on face she assured me that she would.