Stories of Kindness from Around the World

My boyfriend and I had a late night out in the city of Grand Rapids, MI - something unusual for us forty-something's with a house full of kids. It was a cool, crisp fall night and we were hungry. The city streets were still alive with activity and we were trying to find a new little bistro that was still serving at 1 a.m. We walked and walked but could not find the place.

We came upon a truck selling pizzas for $5.00. We picked up a small pizza and eagerly dug in. I still wanted to find the bistro for healthier food and to linger in my love's presence, but it was a good, temporary solution. Several homeless people were sitting up against buildings for warmth and shelter. One older gentleman was soliciting money for food.

We walked past and I mentioned how much that bothered me - not that the gentleman was soliciting but that he was in need. I am the proverbial bleeding heart, almost always stopping to help or give, sometimes without practical thought to my own personal safety. My boyfriend is wonderful and loving, but definitely the more pragmatic of us two. Without a second thought he said, "Let's give him the rest of our pizza," which we promptly did. I expressed my gratitude to him for making the suggestion and for the role reversal. While I am usually the one reaching out to others in this way, I was touched to see him taking on this role. 

That night, I had received two blessings - the act of giving the pizza to the homeless man but, more so, in witnessing the initiative that my boyfriend showed in giving to others. Twenty minutes later our paths crossed once again with the gentleman. He looked at us straight in the eye and said, "Thanks again for the pizza." Another blessing.