Stories Matching 'Kindness of Strangers' Tag (204)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 Carnations with a Smile at a Supermarket--posted by Kat C., on Mar 23, 2006
comments (25) | email this | print | permalink Three Homeless Men--posted by mike adams, on Mar 24, 2008 A friend of mine in Chicago sent me an e-mail with her description of an uplifting event that she witnessed... "And talking about beautiful...yesterday I was witness to such a heartwarming random act of kindness. It will forever be imprinted in my mind. I had to run downtown to help Bonnie out for a few hours (it was not part of my original plans for Monday). On my bus ride back to the train station, we were in gridlock traffic right by the opera house. As I stare out my window a handsome young man (25ish to 30ish) walks out of ... comments (37) | email this | print | permalink Warm Story From Ethiopia--posted by Brendan Moran, on Apr 11, 2006
I traveled to Ethiopia last year with my business partner and president of OLA's Exotic Coffee & Tea. We are a coffee company that imports coffee from Africa and traveled to Ethiopia to visit the coffee plantations and speak with the government about investing. comments (6) | email this | print | permalink An Old Friendship--posted by ram mohan, on Apr 15, 2006
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink Chocolate Insanity--posted by Anon, on Apr 22, 2006 It was a routine trip. We, my wife and I, are walking back home from the grocery store when we spontaneously decide to walk into a coffee shop. As my wife orders a small cup of coffee at the counter, I huddle our grocery bags under our table and get ready to share some hot coffee on this unusually cold day. Just then, my eyes catch glimpse of a young woman in her thirties escorting a rather frail Mexican woman into the shop. Maybe it was the gentleness of their encounter or a vague familiarity with the circumstances, ... comments (16) | email this | print | permalink London Cabbie's Payment-in-Kind!--posted by T.S., on Apr 25, 2006
comments (7) | email this | print | permalink One Size Fits All--posted by Camilion, on May 1, 2006
We were recently at a concert. The young artists were playing their hearts out but unfortunately, the audience was largely empty. comments (3) | email this | print | permalink Flowers That She Couldn't Smell--posted by bluebuddha, on Jul 1, 2011 “Everyone says the flowers smell good but I don’t smell anything. Nothing. Do you smell them?” she asks, in her heavily accented voice. After walking around a busy street looking to do a random act of kindness, I had stumbled into this flower shop. Even though my mind was busy devising possible scenarios, I had a gut feeling that something was going to present itself. A little startled by the flower lady’s question, I tell her that “the flowers smell ah-mazing and perhaps you should take a break once in a while so you can enjoy them too.” Before ... comments (70) | email this | print | permalink Christmas With My Son--posted by Anon, on May 5, 2006
comments (11) | email this | print | permalink Bystander No More--posted by Michelle, on May 13, 2006 I was with my oldest son and we were on the lookout for an open parking space in our jam-packed shopping center. We spotted a perfect one in the next row of spaces, and I manouvered our van around the turn, all the while hoping no one else would spot it and grab it before I could. And, as luck would have it, a lady was wheeling her shopping cart right in front of us, and it looked like it was getting away from her - crammed with bags and cartons of soda underneath. She herself was ... comments (10) | email this | print | permalink Wear Smiles--posted by JZ, on Jan 26, 2008
comments (17) | email this | print | permalink Laundry mat Veggies--posted by Danielle, on May 31, 2006 I have a big veggie garden and every year i plant a little more than i can handle. It's something like my eyes are bigger than my appetite. I decided to take all of my excess veggies down to the laundry mat with a sign that read "free veggies". I guess that those who use the laundry may prbably rent places and might not be able to plant a garden. I did this all summer and each time when i went to collect the box...it was empty! comments (6) | email this | print | permalink A Stolen Bike and Help from Strangers--posted by Jessica Laplante, on Jun 2, 2007
comments (4) | email this | print | permalink Do Not Fear, Smile Retrievers Are Here!--posted by anita, on Jun 28, 2008
comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Spreading Smiles in Calcutta--posted by Pavi, on Jun 15, 2006
I was catching a flight from Calcutta to Madras and had arrived at the airport rather early. Have always thought of airports as rather happy places- everyone at the beginning or the end of a journey- or both- such a sense of adventure in the air- and warmth- because people travel to see people and you know as you look around that that's someone's daughtersonhusbandwifefriendgrandmotheruncle comments (3) | email this | print | permalink An Offered Basket--posted by Loveta, on Jun 29, 2006
While going through a time of great sorrow and grief over a loss, I left my apartment and went to the 99 cent store to pick up two things I needed. Although these were not important items, I needed to get out for a while. comments (2) | email this | print | permalink A Little Time On The Elevator--posted by Star, on Aug 26, 2006
I was at a business meeting, and I had to run downstairs to pick up some documents. As I was hurrying to catch the elevator back upstairs to my meeting, an elderly woman stopped me and asked me to go on the elevator downstairs with her. comments (7) | email this | print | permalink Thirst Quencher On Busy Day--posted by ganon, on Aug 28, 2006 I was leaving my office late Saturday morning...a little bit grumpy because I had to get up early and go to work on the weekend, and was now running late for the next of my zillion obligations for the weekend...and the worst part was I had no time to eat a proper lunch. I was complaining about all of this to my husband on my cell phone, while I turned around from locking the door behind me, and then I spotted him. A man lying in the grass asleep. I said to my husband, "I'm sorry I've just been complaining. ... comments (4) | email this | print | permalink Purple Carnations at the Hospital--posted by earthling, on Sep 15, 2006
comments (6) | email this | print | permalink Mocha for Me--posted by BethAnn, on Mar 28, 2007
I live on a very busy street and the morning commute can sometimes be almost unbearable. comments (17) | email this | print | permalink The Crumpled Dollar--posted by Babygirl, on Apr 8, 2007
When I was working as a waitress at a small resturant by the highway, an older gentlemen came in to purchase a cup of coffee. I recognized him because he was the gentleman who lived under the bridge that was just down the street. When he came in, he placed a crumpled dollar on the counter and asked if that was enough. I told him it was plenty, went to get his coffee and handed him a menu at the same time. He looked at me confused and I told him to order what he wanted. After his meal and a to-go bag with a fresh cup of coffee, he smiled and left. But as I was cleaning up his place, I noticed the crumpled dollar on the counter. I stood there and cried because I knew this was probably all he had. I placed the crumpled one in my apron and pulled out a ten; I asked a friend to catch up with him and give him something from me. I never saw him again but his smile stays with me even today. comments (27) | email this | print | permalink The Joys of Being a Waitress--posted by Babygirl, on Apr 13, 2007 As a waitress you meet and see all types of people. I guess you could call it the melting pot of the highway because the food connects us all. I was about to end my shift one afternoon when a group of people came in. As they sat down, they explained that they were trying to make it home and just had enough to buy their children a small snack and that all they needed was water. So I showed them a few things on the menu and asked them what they would like. As I walked away to turn in their ... comments (43) | email this | print | permalink Wandering Around an Albuquerque Airport Terminal--posted by Naomi Shihab Nye, on Apr 26, 2007 After learning my flight was detained 4 hours, I heard the announcement: "If anyone in the vicinity of gate 4-A understands any Arabic, please come to the gate immediately." Well -- one pauses these days. Gate 4-A was my own gate. I went there. An older woman in full traditional Palestinian dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing loudly. "Help," said the flight service person. "Talk to her. What is her problem? we told her the flight was going to be four hours late and she did this." I put my arm around her and spoke to her haltingly. ... comments (56) | email this | print | permalink Kindness In Grief--posted by monabr, on May 7, 2007
comments (22) | email this | print | permalink Gratitude For The Kindness Of Strangers...--posted by sonrisa, on May 23, 2007
comments (25) | email this | print | permalink Not Great, Only Kind--posted by lovebug, on May 25, 2007 This has really been the perfect day, not to hot, not cold, so I decided I would use it to work in my yard. I love sitting on the earth, pulling weeds and keeping my little space clean, somewhere in my mind I feel that it comforts the weary souls who pass by . Today, two special things happened today that really birghtened my day. Since I am getting older now and have slowed down, I decided early what I was going to accomplish today and started out with a lot of energy, but about half way thru my muscles ... comments (13) | email this | print | permalink A Wallet of an Old Man--posted by SmileHiClub, on Jun 8, 2007 There I was, a sole-parent, walking down the street. The week had been hard and today was full with bill paying and running errangs. As I walked the street, with my head down deep in thought, I noticed something unusual in the gutter. Moving towards the object, I realised it was a wallet. I picked it up and immediately looked up and around for the first time that day. The street was bare with only one shop -- Guidedogs for the Blind. Standing there, my first thought was that perhaps someone would return to claim the wallet. But after a ... comments (25) | email this | print | permalink The Waffle House Waitress--posted by Paul, on Jun 19, 2007 I was recently traveling with a friend when we decided to get something to eat. Being a huge Waffle House fan, we scouted out the area we were in, and found one. If you have never been in one, or have never heard of it, Waffle House is kinda like a chain of diners that serve the best waffles around! They won't be found at the top of any Zagat's list of Fine dining, but they are my favorite! Our waitress took a while to take our order, asking the same questions a few times. We made a few ... comments (18) | email this | print | permalink An Unforgettable Fishing Experience--posted by Mike Delyria, on Dec 12, 2008
comments (30) | email this | print | permalink Lost & Found: Two Rings--posted by brighteyes, on Jun 25, 2007
comments (20) | email this | print | permalink
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Every since I was little I loved doing things for other people. As I got older I began doing random things for people. For example, during holidays, such as Christmas, I would make out an extra card along with the ones for my relatives. Then I would go and find someone in the grocery store and just hand it to them and walk away! It was so much fun. Although I admit, the first time I did it I was so nervous. I didn't know who to give the card to. So I said a little prayer and knew that ... 
This is about an incident which took place couple of years back.
Last week, I was running a little late on my way to my first day at a new job in East London. I had injured my achilles heal a couple of days before and didn't want to put too much pressure on it by running to the tube station so I decided to jump in a cab just to get to the station. 
I have a five year old son and two 18 month old twins and especially at Christmas time I wanted them to truely understand what the act of giving was all about. So I made a list of people that were less likely to recieve gifts or love and let my five year old chose who we would give gifts to. 
It was a typical winter morning, just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2005: While most people were warming up their cars, my husband got up early to ride his bike the four kilometres to his job at Mr. Lube. When my husband arrived at work, he parked his bike outside the back doors as he usually does. After putting in 10 solid hours of labour, he returned to find his bike was gone–stolen. The bike, a purple kona 18 speed, was our only source of transportation. Trevor used that bike to get to both his jobs, putting in ... 
Last-weekend, my kids along with few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. We embarked on our car cleaning mission when my 10 year old came up with the idea of washing other people's cars as well. It was pretty hot outside and I had no plans to continue being in the bright sun. She further wanted to give lemonade to passerby's for free. I had seen little kids serve and sell fresh lemonade for a small cost (may be 25 cents) but not free. I felt fuzzy and decided to help her out. ... 
"Do you need a vase for your purple carnations? " asked a gentle voice and I woke up in my hospital bed. It was one of those few rare moments when no one else was in the room with me and I had slipped into slumber.
A long time ago, I was a waitress in a pancake house that stayed open til midnight. One evening around 11:30, a couple came in. There was no one else in the restaurant, so I started chatting as I poured the coffee. It turns out that the womans mother was in the hospital and it was only a matter of time before she passed. We talked how hard it was to watch a parent die and how we both hoped that she wouldn't be in pain for too much longer.
She asked if the restaurant would be open the following evening ... 
Several years ago, I worked for a trucking outfit as a driver. It was my habit to go in on Saturday and spend a couple hours maintaining my truck. As I was under the truck greasing it, I noticed the owner's elderly father making his way over to his grandson's truck next to mine.
The old man was in his high eighties, had been an avid fisherman all his life, and had come out to ask the kid to take him fishing after work. The grandson told him all about how much he would love to do that, but, he ... 
After working out one day, in the locker room, I came across a gorgeous wedding ring studded with many diamonds and a ruby ring. I could tell they were very expensive, and by the color, the gold looked to be 24 carat.
I looked around but there was no one in the gym or in the locker room. So I took the rings to our work Lost & Found in the Security department upstairs. After you fill out the tag, the items are kept for at least 30 days.
I told the security guard that I did not want my name mentioned, as I ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |