Random Acts of Kindness
- Thread starter Beekissed
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Lady Henevere
Lovin' The Homestead
What a nice group of people! Thank you all for sharing your acts of kindness with us.
One day DH and I pulled into a gas station and a van was parked on the other side of the pump. As DH was pumping gas, an elderly woman came out of the van and asked DH very nicely if he could spare some gas. DH shooed her away and then complained to me about people constantly asking him for money. I pointed out that she didn't ask for money, she asked for gas, she just got out of the van so she wasn't just hanging around panhandling, and how would he feel if that were his mom or grandma stranded at a gas station unable to get home. This seemed to change his mind and he called her back over to us. She explained that she was having financial problems and had come to our area to collect money that someone owed her, but the person didn't pay her and now she couldn't make it back home on the gas in her tank. DH filled her tank and gave her $40 in cash. She cried and couldn't stop thanking us. DH was glad he'd had a change of heart.
Now that I am no longer a starving student as I was when the gas station thing happened, I need to find ways to give more. This thread is giving me great ideas!
One day DH and I pulled into a gas station and a van was parked on the other side of the pump. As DH was pumping gas, an elderly woman came out of the van and asked DH very nicely if he could spare some gas. DH shooed her away and then complained to me about people constantly asking him for money. I pointed out that she didn't ask for money, she asked for gas, she just got out of the van so she wasn't just hanging around panhandling, and how would he feel if that were his mom or grandma stranded at a gas station unable to get home. This seemed to change his mind and he called her back over to us. She explained that she was having financial problems and had come to our area to collect money that someone owed her, but the person didn't pay her and now she couldn't make it back home on the gas in her tank. DH filled her tank and gave her $40 in cash. She cried and couldn't stop thanking us. DH was glad he'd had a change of heart.
Now that I am no longer a starving student as I was when the gas station thing happened, I need to find ways to give more. This thread is giving me great ideas!
punkin
Don't Quote Me
Reading this thread makes me think of my DH and how blessed I am to have him. He is the kindest and most generous person I know.
For example, he tilled alot of gardens for people last year. Some was a paying job, but others he did for free.
Since the weather has been so wet this year, his employees didn't get a full week of work in some weeks. He payed them anyway.
He always buys Christmas gifts for his empoyee's young children and grandchildren.
We were at a restaurant and had been seated and ordered our drinks. Our DS and his friends unexpectedly joined us, so we had to move to a bigger table. It was not our original waitress' table and he felt badly about taking her tip money away. He left a nice tip on both tables.
We believe that these random acts of kindness come back. Sometimes you realize it, sometimes not.
Just last month, one of my DH's service trucks broke down and he had to have it towed to the dealership. The tow bill was about $300 and the repair bill was about $400. Earlier in the year, my DH had bushhogged a field for the wrecker guy and didn't take any money. He wouldn't let him pay the tow bill. Also, the repair shop wouldn't accept payment either.
For example, he tilled alot of gardens for people last year. Some was a paying job, but others he did for free.
Since the weather has been so wet this year, his employees didn't get a full week of work in some weeks. He payed them anyway.
He always buys Christmas gifts for his empoyee's young children and grandchildren.
We were at a restaurant and had been seated and ordered our drinks. Our DS and his friends unexpectedly joined us, so we had to move to a bigger table. It was not our original waitress' table and he felt badly about taking her tip money away. He left a nice tip on both tables.
We believe that these random acts of kindness come back. Sometimes you realize it, sometimes not.
Just last month, one of my DH's service trucks broke down and he had to have it towed to the dealership. The tow bill was about $300 and the repair bill was about $400. Earlier in the year, my DH had bushhogged a field for the wrecker guy and didn't take any money. He wouldn't let him pay the tow bill. Also, the repair shop wouldn't accept payment either.
On Our own
Lovin' The Homestead
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One time DH did an amazing act of kindness for some one else anonymously. He had saved up cash for something he really wanted. He had the ads for it taped to his dashboard! He really wanted it, but just when he had almost all the cash he ended up giving the entire thing away!! He found someone who needed food more than he needed a new gadget. (He said.)
The very next day we were driving along when a landscapers truck flew through the intersection, running the red light, and hitting a bump in the road that sent everything flying! What fell out and landed right in front of the truck?? The EXACT item DH had been saving for! His eyes lit up, but we knew it wasn't ours. We reported the find to the police who told us to keep it unless someone came for it. We hung a sign at the intersection and placed a lost and found ad in the local paper. No one ever called. DH figures it was meant for him!
The very next day we were driving along when a landscapers truck flew through the intersection, running the red light, and hitting a bump in the road that sent everything flying! What fell out and landed right in front of the truck?? The EXACT item DH had been saving for! His eyes lit up, but we knew it wasn't ours. We reported the find to the police who told us to keep it unless someone came for it. We hung a sign at the intersection and placed a lost and found ad in the local paper. No one ever called. DH figures it was meant for him!
FarmerDenise
Out to pasture
It has been so nice reading all these. I have been on the receiving end and on the giving end.
This morning I woke up in a panic, worrying about fines I just found out about that I have to pay the county, because a contractor dug up my leach lines, my bank of America credit card jacked up my interest rate - claiming I made a late payment (I have autopay), got my auto insurance bill, haven't been able to find a job (very few listings for jobs in my area), and not being happy with my living conditions. I felt like just giving up.
Reading this put a smile on my face and happy tears in my eyes. I am tackling the obstacles one at a time.
I am also remembering to put together christmas gifts for needy kids, as I always do. I collect doll clothes and accessories for a specific doll I pick up at goodwill each year. Then I assemble it all and sometimes buy or make something new and donate it. I try to make it look new and extra special.
This year I have two little bears that I will dress up and I have two little baskets I made into beds. I might pick up some little dishes at the dollar store to go with them. I figure they would be perfect for two little siblings.
This morning I woke up in a panic, worrying about fines I just found out about that I have to pay the county, because a contractor dug up my leach lines, my bank of America credit card jacked up my interest rate - claiming I made a late payment (I have autopay), got my auto insurance bill, haven't been able to find a job (very few listings for jobs in my area), and not being happy with my living conditions. I felt like just giving up.
Reading this put a smile on my face and happy tears in my eyes. I am tackling the obstacles one at a time.
I am also remembering to put together christmas gifts for needy kids, as I always do. I collect doll clothes and accessories for a specific doll I pick up at goodwill each year. Then I assemble it all and sometimes buy or make something new and donate it. I try to make it look new and extra special.
This year I have two little bears that I will dress up and I have two little baskets I made into beds. I might pick up some little dishes at the dollar store to go with them. I figure they would be perfect for two little siblings.
delia_peterson
Covered in Compost
Is this not the coolest thread? And the most awesome group of people? I have a feeling this thread will be growing as we are all getting ideas from each other! And you know there are others that are reading, that have never even considered doing a random act of kindness...that these ideas are getting into their hearts too...and maybe will change their way of thinking(and doing!) in the future.
- Thread starter
- #27
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Over the years I have had many a kind stranger do nice things for me and my family. It always takes my breath a little and makes me cry, as it is so unexpected. I now try to do the same thing because I know how it made ME feel when it happened to me....plus, I think it's a good example for my kids.
And, sometimes? It's just the right thing to do, even if no one sees the things you do, it never hurts to do the right thing.
Like removing a freshly killed deer from the middle of the highway...could cause a wreck. The same goes for a cardboard box or other large item in the road.
Helping someone when their car is out of commission....this sort of thing always rolls around to you, so it's like storing up good karma(for lack of a better word).
Helping someone who is down on their luck....it has happened to me often enough that I know that desparate, panicky feeling of not being able to pay the utilities in the winter...again!
I sometimes get so wrapped up in living and moving through my day that I think I miss some great opportunities to spread some much needed kindness. I am going to have to pay more attention, after reading everyone's stories!
And, sometimes? It's just the right thing to do, even if no one sees the things you do, it never hurts to do the right thing.
Like removing a freshly killed deer from the middle of the highway...could cause a wreck. The same goes for a cardboard box or other large item in the road.
Helping someone when their car is out of commission....this sort of thing always rolls around to you, so it's like storing up good karma(for lack of a better word).
Helping someone who is down on their luck....it has happened to me often enough that I know that desparate, panicky feeling of not being able to pay the utilities in the winter...again!
I sometimes get so wrapped up in living and moving through my day that I think I miss some great opportunities to spread some much needed kindness. I am going to have to pay more attention, after reading everyone's stories!
noobiechickenlady
Almost Self-Reliant
This IS the coolest thread. I too have been blessed to be both the giver & the receiver. I've gotten my lunch bought by the person in front of me, gas paid for while on a trip, toys for the kids just show up on the doorstep, a friend of DH's will regularly stop by with a little something cool he found & thought we'd like. We always know he's been by if we come home to find on the steps a cd, dvd or book in a ziplock.
Once I was able to buy a bottled water & a BC powder for a national guard member who was behind me in line. He thanked me all the way out the door, which was a little embarassing, I mean, it was just a couple of bucks, and the least I could do. I figured he'd not been thanked properly in a while. :/
Yep, as Bee was saying, what goes around, comes around. You reap what you sow. Treat others as you would have others treat you. Storing up good karma. It all comes down to just being good folk and doing the right thing.
Once I was able to buy a bottled water & a BC powder for a national guard member who was behind me in line. He thanked me all the way out the door, which was a little embarassing, I mean, it was just a couple of bucks, and the least I could do. I figured he'd not been thanked properly in a while. :/
Yep, as Bee was saying, what goes around, comes around. You reap what you sow. Treat others as you would have others treat you. Storing up good karma. It all comes down to just being good folk and doing the right thing.
- Thread starter
- #29
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
My son came home from basic training and while in his uniform, we went out to eat. Some fellow approached us at the counter and said he was paying for Jon's meal as a thank you for his service to the country.....we were astounded, to say the least. My son didn't know quite what to say, so I told him to thank the fella!
We noticed he was eating alone, so I had Jon go sit and eat with him and it was a wonderful experience for him...turned out the man fought in Veitnam. We should have been buying HIS meal!
We noticed he was eating alone, so I had Jon go sit and eat with him and it was a wonderful experience for him...turned out the man fought in Veitnam. We should have been buying HIS meal!
okiegirl1
Lovin' The Homestead
Beekissed said:My son came home from basic training and while in his uniform, we went out to eat. Some fellow approached us at the counter and said he was paying for Jon's meal as a thank you for his service to the country.....we were astounded, to say the least. My son didn't know quite what to say, so I told him to thank the fella!
We noticed he was eating alone, so I had Jon go sit and eat with him and it was a wonderful experience for him...turned out the man fought in Veitnam. We should have been buying HIS meal!
