A Million Moments of Kindness

Saying thanks for a clear walkway

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:29:10 +0000

I work at a large university and have to walk a ways from where I park to where I work. It’s been snowing quite a bit this week and yet the walkways have been pretty clear (amazingly). This morning in the very cold temperatures I passed a guy who was busy shoveling the snow away. I stopped and thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his efforts so I could have a clear way to walk. It’s really hard work doing that – and I’m glad I don’t have to do it! He seemed surprised to be thanked – but very pleased. Take the time to say thank you to someone who is doing a job that makes your life easier or better – many times we appreciate these things but don’t tell those people – it’s nice to be appreciated!

Pam, USA

Passing angels

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:40:24 +0000

So I am currently studying abroad this semester in Florence, Italy in the field of art history. During the week after midtern we have time to travel where we want. I decided to go to Dublin, Ireland for my midterm break by myself.

On the second day I was wondering through the city when I came upon a homeless man with a worn paper cup in his hands. Its not like this is the first beggar that I’ve seen in Europe. Florence is filled with plenty of gypsy women begging for money, but this guy was different. He couldn’t have been any older than myself (22), and he truly looked down on his luck.

Earlier in the day I had snagged some extra food from the hostel where I’m staying so I could hold myself over for dinner. One of the things i had grabbed was a small apple. I myself have a very limited budget, but i felt that this young man could use this more than i could. I went up to him and offered him the apple. I think that after watching 100’s of people pass by not even glancing at him, he was amazed that i was even talking to him, let alone giving him something. He took the apple and
gave me a big smile… then i just walked away. Once i was a distance away i turned around and saw him just staring at it, smiling ear to ear. Then he devoured that apple quicker than id ever seen anyone eat anything before.

I felt very happy with myself to give this man a small ray of kindness, hoping one day that if id ever be in a similar situation that someone would be my angel…

Amber
Pennsylvania USA (by way of Florence, Italty)

My son’s friend’s summer in hospital

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:42:30 +0000

My 15 yr old son is very interested in medicine, loves to watch Dr. House and Scrubs and plans to study medicine.

This summer his class mate ended up in hospital, he’s been there for two months now and has to stay a month or more. He got a bad staphylococcal infection, then a heart operation when he was born and something wrong with his heart now, expecting an operation soon and simply, well poor boy. My son spends every free minute in hospital, which is nearby. He even wanted to lend him his laptop and mobile internet access usb-stick so they can talk through skype. The boy’s parents then organized something.

We have at least one more month to go, and my son still is not tired of visiting the hospital after school, bringing over the homework, helping with the same and chatting later.

Usually such enthusiasm weakens after two three weeks.

Lucky friends!

Anita
Croatia

Greyhound Angel

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:02:26 +0000

Easter Sunday was a day of joy and celebration until I received a phone call from the east coast. My truck-driver son was calling from a bus station, perhaps in Indiana or Michigan or Massachusetts. He didn’t know. He sounded dazed, disoriented and confused, unsure of where he was or how he got there. He mentioned having a severe pain in his head. He wanted to come home. Then he hung up. My caller-ID placed the call from Erie, Pennsylvania, and I quickly redialed the number. It was a payphone at the Greyhound Bus Terminal. I raced to our local bus station and tried to purchase a ticket home for him. I had only enough cash to get him to his sister’s home in Missouri.

I called his sister and told her about the mysterious phone call I had just received. It sounded as if my son had experienced some sort of head injury and I feared for his safety.

My daughter immediately called the Erie bus terminal and spoke to a man named Dave Hughes, a ticket agent for Greyhound. He said yes, a young man fitting my son’s description was there and told my daughter not to worry, that he would do everything he could to help him. Dave Hughes turned out to be an Easter miracle for our family.

My son had arrived with his belongings in disarray and Dave helped him pack it all in boxes, suitable for transport. Dave also spent time talking to my son, trying to find out what had happened, trying to keep him centered and calm until the arrival of the Missouri-bound bus.

Three hours later, Dave helped my son load all of his belongings, then spoke to the bus driver about the situation. The bus driver was the second miracle in this chain of events. He monitored my son’s transfer to a second bus in eastern Ohio, where he spoke to the next bus driver who monitored my son’s transfer to a third bus in
western Ohio. Each driver made sure that all of my son’s belongings were transferred with him.

My son arrived safely in St. Louis yesterday afternoon. He is currently receiving medical care but it is too early to tell what caused his disorientation. The tests will take time. Throughout this ordeal, David in Erie, Pennsylvania, kept in touch with my daughter in Missouri. His compassion and kindness touched the hearts of my family all across the country. The three drivers completed this series of miracles that forever changed our lives.

I cannot afford the trip to Missouri to be with my son during this ordeal, but I want the Greyhound Corporation to know that these men went far beyond the company’s call for courtesy and professionalism. I believe in my heart that they were responsible for saving my son’s life and for that they will always be in my heart and in my prayers.

Signed,

Bobby Jean Simkins
United States Navy Veteran

Incident occurred in Spring 2000. I immediately posted it on Heartwarmers and received thousands–THOUSANDS of emails, most of which offered money to travel and help my son. I did not accept any money (I’m stubborn like that) but responded to every email with my heartfelt thanks and prayers. I still have those emails, too.

Aren’t people amazing? I’m still touched by their kindness.

Update on my son: My son’s disorientation was caused by the onset of schizophrenia. He fought his way out of it and has been troubled only once in the past six years by the disorder’s signature symptom, voices. In 2002, I moved my entire family from California to Missouri, where I own a home deep in the Missouri woodlands. The stress-free environment and idyllic surroundings have contributed to my son’s healing.

It brings to mind a lovely quote by Anne Frank:

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.”

Lending money helps a dear friend

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:00:31 +0000

One day of the year I have done a good action. While we were in the classroom, my friend asked me if could lend him some money because he had a problem in his house. He and his family didn’t have much money and he wanted to know if I had any. I told him I would help and would lend him some moeny. He and his family had an economic problem because they had to give much money back to the bank. I didn’t give it a thought and told him I would help him with this problem. The bank was pressing them to give the money back or else they would file a lawsuit and then he and his family would have a problem with the police.

And that is the good action I have done to help…by lending my best friend money.

Chris Delipis
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece

Gentle friends help a little girl recover

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:00:36 +0000

Last month, when I was walking with my friends in our school’s garden, I realised that a little girl had hurt herself.

When my friends and I realized what happened, we quickly went over to her and asked her what had happened. She explained that a boy in the third class had kicked her on her foot and she fell down. She hurt herself ans was injured.

I, with my friends, took her to the principal’s office and we explained to the headmaster what had happened. One other teacher looked after the injured girl. The headmaster explained to us that the guilty person will be punished and we were all happy.

In the end, after a few days, the girl was well and we were all very happy. I learned that all people must help the injured and not to go away from them.

Ireue
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece

The tears of a child

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:00:44 +0000

When I was in third class, I went with my school on an excursion to the park.

While I was walking in the park trying to find my friends, I met a girl who was crying. She was sitting on a bench. I sat on the bench and asked her why she was crying. She answered me that her mum had told her that she would come to the park to see her, but she hadn’t come. I told her that she mustn’t cry because she could be stuck in traffic or she could have a job to do, but she hadn’t forgotten her. I also gavae her my dolls adn we played together. When her mum came, she thanked me for helping her.

From this story, I learned that I must be kind to others and help them when they have difficulties.

Yiola
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece

A stray dog finds a friend and a bite to eat

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:00:23 +0000

Once we had a sit-in at our school and I suddenly saw a stray dog. It was so cute and small, it surprised me. I got out of the school and petted him (it was male).

BUt he trusted me and follwed me everything! My friends were scared of him so I had to tell him to go away, but he didn’t. I LOVE animals.

So I took him with me to my house. There was my dog too. They met each other and played for 15 minutes. Then I gave him water and spicy food.

I loved him, but I couldn’t keep him. Also, my dog was jealous of him. So I took him back to my school. My teacher said she wanted to keep him and she would buy some food for him. I said, “Don’t worry, I did it for him.” Then she laughed, hugged and kissed me. She said, “Thank you very much!” I said, “It is my obligation.”

I felt so happy and satisfied with what I did.

Student
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece

A young one helps the elderly

admin — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:00:49 +0000

One day, when I was a child, I was going home after my school day. It was Wednesday and the shops were all opened. On the road there was a terrible traffic jam!!!

My mum told me to go to the bakery and buy some bread. I was opposite the baker and I had to cross the road. While I was waiting, an elderly woman begged me to help her cross the road because she had broken her leg and she couldn’t walk very well.

The traffic light turned green and I took the elderly woman by her arm to cross the road together. She thanked me and continued on her way.

That day, I felt very happy because I had helped an elderly woman with a broken leg to cross the road. And, also, with this good deed I felt kind.

Irene D.
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece

Sharing helps another student

admin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:00:29 +0000

A month ago, at school, my best friend Nical, had forgotten her book for her Religious Education class. Because she was forgetting it every time she had a lesson, I decided to give my book to her, because if I hadn’t given it to her she would have to take an absence. As the time went by, our teacher saw that I didn’t have a book. So she sent me out of the class and she told me to go to the head teacher’s office. When I had been to the head teacher’s office she was’t there, so I went back. After that I went again to the class and the teacher told me to come inside and I won’t get an absence because I’m a very good and responsible girl.

Constance-Helen Prifti
Catherine Zgouras’ English School
Patras, Greece