Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Comforts Of Home


--by myfbil, posted Jan 4, 2008

We recently went to St. Louis from New England via train. On our return trip, the train was late arriving in Boston. About an hour before our arrival, we knew we'd miss our connection to the last bus to our home in NH.
I pulled out the cell phone and my husband called around trying to find a hotel close to the station. No luck.

The lady in the seat across from us had slept most of the trip so we didn't get to know her along the way. When we finished calling around for a hotel, she requested use of our cell phone to make arrangements to be picked up at the train station. We obliged.

My hubby and I started talking about what we would do, and finally I told him it was so late that we might as well stay in the station and wait for the morning bus.
The lady across from us immediately offered to take us to her house for the night. We accepted and she provided us with all the comforts of home. She gave us clean towels to shower, a comfy bed, hot mint tea and a huge bowl of delicious oatmeal in the morning before taking us back to the station. She never asked anything for payment. This ended our trip on a  very happy note rather than in discomfort and frustration.

Upon our arrival home, we sent her a huge bouquet of flowers to thank her. She called us to thank US for the flowers.

The best part - we've made a new friend!!

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Readers Comments

mouse wrote: That is such a nice story and shows that if someone (ultimately your host) knows themselves well enough to trust their instinct then they are capable of showing kindness to others (by letting you stay over). :)
lhatton wrote: What a great story! It gave me goosebumps. It seems to me that you and your husband were blessed by traveling with such a kind woman and she was blessed by having the opportunity to meet you.
brighteyes wrote: God sees and provides....so cool how she offered you a place at her home...I am not sure I would have been that brave....gives me pause and good food for thought.....and how wonderful you have a new friend too!
vieveadell wrote: That is awesome! There are so many beautiful people in the world!
myfbil wrote: Thank you all for your comments. MAYBE I left out one important "twist" to the story. This lady had come here from Haiti about 25 years ago. She is black; my husband and I are white. I think she's an extremely special lady. Update: We just exchanged Christmas cards. I do hope she'll travel to our state to join our family for a huge annual cook-out this summer. She'll be pleasantly surprised to find out some members of our family are African American (from Ghana)!
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: That's great that she was so kind and even nicer that you acknowledged it with flowers. Thanks for making a difference!
myfbil wrote: MakeSomeoneSmile: I'm glad you enjoyed the story of my wonderful friend (in-the-making). Thanks for your comment!
jaya wrote: Its very sweet of your friend. The best out of all is that you showed gratitude towards her act. One should always have the attitude of gratitue and no doubt you are very sweet and kind hearted. God Bless You and your family.
Love
Jaya
myfbil wrote: Ah, gee, shucks. Thank you. :) I've sent you KarmaBucks for being so kind. Bless you and yours also.

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