Stories Matching 'Friendship' Tag (111)Environment Research New Ideas Public Transportation Children Inspiration Teachers Seniors OnThe Road Grocery Store Money Workplace Animals At Home Anonymous Friendship Kindness Kindness of Strangers Courage Small Acts of Kindness Health and Wellness Generosity Sharing Family Respect Neighbors Reconciliation Smile Cards Advice Good Samaritan Giving Money Giving Ability School Church Youth Collective Arts Creative Kindness Random Act of Kindness Homeless Travel/Vacation College/University Holidays Internet Birthday Sharing Food Emergency/Disaster Community Relationships Paying-It-Forward Coffee Shop/Restaurants $100 Kindness Idea Smile Decks Thank You Serendipity Roundtable Dinners--posted by Aurelia, on Oct 27, 2007
A very close friend of mine has two older parents who have been very sick and in the hospital. Her Mom has alzheimers and her Dad has diabetes and just had surgery on his legs. She was able to make arrangements for them to come to her house when they left the hospital, but this is now an additional responsibility for her in addition to her own family. A bunch of us (9 friends) got together and came up with a calendar of dates for us to take turns making dinner and delivering it to her house. (Thank goodness for email!) It'll be one less thing she will have to worry about while she establishes a routine and things settle down for her. This way she will know they are eating healthy foods and she can tend to her parents needs. I'm so happy to be part of this effort. MANY HANDS make LIGHT WORK. If we all do our part, it's easy! comments (15) | email this | print | permalink My Friend, Howie--posted by roxanne916, on Nov 7, 2007 Actually, he started out as my step-dad's best friend since they were 5 and 6 years old, respectively. They grew up in New York City. Howie's home life was not good, very troubled. Still, he grew up to be a fine man, worked hard, married, and had two children. His wife divorced him when the children were small and he kind of drifted through life, working, but no real focus. I was almost 6 when my mother and stepfather met (again) and decided to make a life together. Howie said to my dad, "You are going to live with her (meaning ... comments (17) | email this | print | permalink Thanks For Rocking With Me!--posted by dancingDog, on Nov 17, 2007
There was once an elderly, despondent woman in a nursing home. She wouldn't speak to anyone or request anything. She merely existed - rocking in her creaky old rocking chair. comments (25) | email this | print | permalink An Unsuspecting Restaurant Table--posted by Tim K., on Dec 2, 2007 So there we are sitting in our little booth, finishing up a, tasty meal. It dawns on us, it’s time. Who will it be? Who will it be? Hmmm…. them! Who? Them, the couple behind me over my left shoulder. All right, lets do it! Our waiter comes over and asks: Would you like to take the rest with you? Yes, we would. Could we have our check? Ahhh, we’d also like to pay for that table. Uhh…what table? Any table really, but we were thinking of that table…. Fingers point discreetly, and the target is understood. We slip him ... comments (100) | email this | print | permalink The Man Who Planted Trees--posted by Jean Giono, on Dec 18, 2007
comments (14) | email this | print | permalink Mother’s Last Laugh--posted by vishalsalian, on Jan 11, 2008
comments (47) | email this | print | permalink A Simple Rule Since I was 12--posted by peay_lewis, on Feb 13, 2008 Since I was 12, I've had a simple rule -- remember birthdays! So, if I know a person's name, I consider it my duty to remember the person's birthday (family, friend and otherwise). One characteristic EVERY human being has is the need to feel special, significant and appreciated, and what better way and time to make a friend, neighbor, client, co-worker, your child's teacher, or even the cashier at your neighborhood grocery store feel special than by simply remembering their birthday each year. Talk about putting an instant smile on that person's face, if only but once a year. It brightens their ... comments (20) | email this | print | permalink Immeasurable Generosity from a Friend--posted by Tikit, on Feb 18, 2008
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink How A Bookstore Can Change Your Life--posted by JZ, on Mar 4, 2008 [by Jeremy Mercer, Ode, Nov 2007] One of the more romantic literary notions is that a book can change a person’s life. Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Ford, for instance, claims Walker Percy’s novel The Moviegoer made Ford the author he is today. Or a book can have more immediate consequences for people, such as my grade-school friend who read My Side of the Mountain and promptly ran away from home with nothing but a penknife and a ball of twine. If a book can change your life, a bookstore can utterly transform it. In my case, I found one, or perhaps ... comments (28) | email this | print | permalink Victim Treats His Mugger Right--posted by Serendipity, on Mar 28, 2008
comments (24) | email this | print | permalink Daily Homework--posted by jeri, on Apr 5, 2008
comments (28) | email this | print | permalink A Friendship I Treasure--posted by teresa, on Dec 24, 2008
comments (14) | email this | print | permalink The Long Life of a Short Friendship--posted by JackieHall, on May 10, 2008
comments (15) | email this | print | permalink 30 Acts In 30 Days for My 30th Birthday--posted by JackieHall, on May 30, 2008 As some of you know, my 30th birthday party is coming up and I have themed it a 'Random Acts of Kindness' party where we will be doing various things to bestow kindness upon others. My best friend, who cannot attend because she lives in South Africa (I'm in Australia) has chosen to participate in the event anyway. She has given me the best present possible! I felt so good when I received her email. Not just because of the beautiful comments she made, but also to see that my random acts of kindness idea has even reached the other ... comments (35) | email this | print | permalink 11 Years Without a Single Complaint--posted by Wotserface, on Jun 18, 2008 I met my husband (my 2nd) back in 1997 at a colleague's wedding. We immediately hit it off and saw each other regularly. I told him all about my having IIH, and what it involved as well as the worst case scenario, which is blindness. I was also at the time a single parent to an 8 year old daughter. Although in some ways we were total opposites, we shared the same humour, values and ideas, and within a year we were married. It was the most fantastic day, and I don't know who cried more, myself or my husband. He became ... comments (39) | email this | print | permalink Rescued While Running Away From Home--posted by sabrina, on Jul 9, 2008 A few years during the worst phase of my life, I ran away from home and did not know where to go. I just landed in a town to meet a friend who happened to be away on a vacation. It was late in the night and I had nowhere to go. I called the phone number my friend had given me. A polite voice answered the phone and informed me that he was my friend's friend. He came to meet me at the bus station and took me home for the night. I confessed everything to him and he really took care of ... comments (19) | email this | print | permalink The Little Black Book--posted by mouse, on Jul 7, 2008 I met a work colleague of my husband's a few weeks ago and had forgotten just how hard he was on himself. He thinks he's stupid, ugly, unable to communicate, a bad parent, unable to control his temper and unlikely to amount to anything much in his life. I found this to be a complete contrast to what I see when I look at him. He's caring, considerate, a good listener, very capable at work and a real family man who will sacrifice anything to give his loved ones the best. After a few drinks I broached this subject of affirmations ... comments (29) | email this | print | permalink Small Town Hockey Hero with a Big Heart--posted by speedi, on Sep 2, 2008 Our son is my newest "Hockey Hero." He plays goalie on his small hometown ice hockey team. One weekend on matchday, we arrived a bit late and quickly found our seats and settled in. As I looked around, I noticed we were sitting with a family who had a mentally and physically handicapped child. We could hear the exciement in his voice when he said, "Mom, look the goalie is going to get the puck now!" Shamelessly, I listened to him and the excitment and joy in his voice as praised the goalie time and time again. During the break, we went and told our son what was ... comments (56) | email this | print | permalink Offering My Job to A Friend in Need--posted by beej, on Sep 4, 2008
comments (24) | email this | print | permalink A Table for Three--posted by dandytash, on Oct 14, 2008
comments (48) | email this | print | permalink The Original Warm Fuzzy Tale--posted by Claudia Steiner, on Oct 12, 2008
comments (13) | email this | print | permalink Helping A Single Mom--posted by MakeSomeoneSmile, on Oct 25, 2008 Yesterday I heard about a single mom with two kids that I barely know. She was pleading for help to pay her phone bill so it wouldn’t get disconnected. I have seen her help many others over the past months. She struggles to make ends meet but puts on a smile so her children won’t worry. She has no family near her so if she loses her phone, her children or their school will have no way to get in touch with her. After reading her plea, I thought about it all night and it broke my heart. This morning I ... comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Circle of Support for an Elderly Neighbor--posted by falsemonkeypuzzl, on Nov 14, 2008 A few years ago, I met an older gentleman while I was out walking dogs. His dog was always out in his front yard so we got to know one another as I would pass by. At the time, his wife was undergoing dialysis at the end of a lifetime of diabletes and I offered to care for his dog on the days he had to take his wife to the doctor. That became a regular thing and eventually, when his wife passed away, we had become friends. This man had no children or close relatives and did not know his neighbors ... comments (14) | email this | print | permalink Folded Napkins For Stevie--posted by Terry, on Nov 16, 2008
comments (16) | email this | print | permalink How to Make a Friend--posted by shannonj, on Dec 9, 2008
comments (12) | email this | print | permalink It Started At A Bagel Shop--posted by JZ, on Nov 27, 2008
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink I Have a Secret--posted by Tigerlily, on Jan 8, 2009
Psst....I have a secret. I have a positively powerful secret that I want to share. If you look deep into my heart, you can see how you have touched my life. Can you see me changing? Have you noticed my new countenance? Perhaps you have sensed the smile that has been placed not only in my heart but also on my lips. When you said the right thing or encouraged me, it made a difference. When you shared my pain or agreed with one of my thoughts, you lifted me up. When you gave me a new perspective, it was welcomed. Did you know that I am a better person because of your presence in my life? Did you know that I have learned from your pain that you were thoughtful enough to share? Did you know that your insight has heightened my own? My secret is this: when you share, it shows how much you care. Okay, now you can tell this secret to the world. comments (31) | email this | print | permalink The Wisdom of Old Ted--posted by jimpa, on Jan 23, 2009 I placed Ted's ashes in the ocean and watched as they made a rainbow before dissolving into the sea. In my hand was an envelope with my name on it. I reflected on my friendship with Old Ted, over the past two years prior to his death. It was a sunny mid-day in Tucson. I had been attending a teaching and we were on lunch break. I was the first to arrive at the Furrs restaurant. I was getting out of my car when I saw him. An elderly man in his eighties, thin, tall, and walked with the gait of ... comments (36) | email this | print | permalink Returning Unconditional Love--posted by TheakstonCat, on Apr 9, 2009
comments (18) | email this | print | permalink The Tortoise And The Hippopotamus: A True Story--posted by Pancho, on Mar 30, 2009
comments (34) | email this | print | permalink
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In order for the character of a human being to reveal truly exceptional qualities, we must have the good fortune to observe its action over a long period of years. If this action is devoid of all selfishness, if the idea that directs it is one of unqualified generosity, if it is absolutely certain that it has not sought recompense anywhere, and if moreover it has left visible marks on the world, then we are unquestionably dealing with an unforgettable character.
About forty years ago I went on a long hike, through hills absolutely unknown to tourists, in that very old ... 
Consumed by my loss, I didn’t notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times.
Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me when my father died, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.
When Mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently ... 
My husband died in 1998 and the following year found me incredibly depressed, desperately lonely and totally overwhelmed. I was living over 2,000 miles from my family, and his family had disappeared as if I had the plague. My sister and my friends had been trying to get me to sell and move for several months and a close friend invited to move to the town where she lived. Though I knew I should sell (I couldn't keep the place up), it was impossible for me to consider, as there was no way I could handle the mortgage until it sold, and also pay for an ... 
Julio Diaz has a daily routine. Every night, the 31-year-old social worker ends his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx one stop early, just so he can eat at his favorite diner.
But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.
He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.
"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.
As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait ... 
I am a recovering alcoholic. Years ago I went into a hospital because of depression. My life was a mess, my husband wanted a divorce. My daughter was doing drugs. Everything in my life was coming apart including me.
My girlfriend's father came to see me. He was a big, barrel chested Irishman, who loved wearing Nike sweatshirts that said "JUST DO IT".
Upon my release from the hospital, he began to take me to AA meetings, and we would meet for coffee, or go to his house where he and his Alcoholics Anonymous member wife slowly helped me back to ... 
My best friend, Marcie, is an amazing person who I treasure. From the first day we met we have been the best of friends. It all began when I was sitting alone at a new job and didn't know anyone -- it was lunch time and she asked if I wanted to have lunch with her. That was in September of 1999.
Marcie is filled with kindness and somehow touches someone with it everyday. She is the first to help others and has never let me face anything alone from common childhood illnesses with my children, to emergency room visits, ... 
I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie.
He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.
The four-wheeler drivers ... 
My son Wynn has autism. As a result, his social skills are stunted. Neverless, he still longs for friendship and human kinship even though he rarely knows how to properly initiate conversations. When he was 7 or 8, he went through a phase where he would approach strangers with survey-type questions such as: "Excuse me, Sir. Are you married or are you happy?" or "Excuse me, Lady. Have you always been so old?" or, my personal favorite, "Excuse me, Girl. How did you grow up to be a fat woman?" As you can imagine, he didn't make many friends for either one ... 
On a recent Sunday morning, my daughter and I went the the local bagel shop for a treat. Upon leaving, we saw a wallet on the ground. I picked it up, and figured out how to contact the owner. My daughter wondered if we’d get a reward, and I said it was just right to return the wallet and that we shouldn’t return it expecting a reward. We returned the wallet, and the person was grateful, leaving a wonderful halloween pumpkin on our porch.
Only 5 days later, I took a business trip and had a very pleasant cab ride with ... 
NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said.
The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
'It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |