When Kindness Prevails

Published by Jenna Smith on April 24, 2019April 24, 2019

By Jenna Smith

Life is a million tiny little experiences that shape us and can make our hearts swell with love, kindness and compassion. An act of kindness can make all the difference, can be remembered forever, and can change us for the better. Be the one who makes a difference. Be kind.

I’ve been collecting stories of kindness for a few weeks now and I am amazed at some of the wonderful things people do for others. What a beautiful world we live in when kindness prevails.

Here are a few of the stories shared:

“I was a poor college student and really stressed out one morning. I got a big bagel and some juice at a store before class and bit into the bagel before I paid. When I got to the register, I realized that I didn’t have my wallet! The person behind me paid for me without hesitating and refused to be paid back. It was such a small thing but meant a lot to me at that time.”

“When my husband was attending grad school in the Midwest, we found out we were having twins. I loved being a new mom but at times I felt lonely, exhausted, and desperate for support. Gratefully, I soon met a dear friend whose kindness forever impacted my life. She brought my girls cherished picture books, folded laundry, cleaned the kitchen, brought dinner and delivered fun toys and treats with her own child in tow. Sometimes she just came to say hello and be the extra arms I needed. I often stared in wonder at this generous gift of time she offered with no expectation of reward, simply reaching out in kindness to a friend. Time is a priceless commodity. You never get it back. It’s a way to show someone you really care.”

“My husband and I have experienced many acts of kindness in the last 7 years. My husband was showing signs of dementia 7 years ago. His friends came almost every day to take him out for walks as he enjoyed this activity. As the disease progressed, a circle of friends came forward to help. He has now been in memory care for almost 5 years. He has gone from walking and talking to needing total care. He does not walk, talk, cannot feed himself, etc. We have a circle of friends who visit us several times a month and call to see how we are doing. I feared that he would be forgotten even though he was a very caring person and did many acts of kindness during his life before this illness. I feel so grateful that we have friends that remember him, even though he cannot remember them. There is kindness in simply being remembered.”

“This is a really simple and small example of kindness that was shown to me, but it is the act that stays with me whenever I think about someone showing me kindness. My first job after graduating from college was located about two miles from where my husband, of less than a year and I lived. My usual and preferred method of transportation during the warmer months was my bike. One day after work, I came out to the bike rack to collect my bike. My bike was there, but someone had installed a very comfortable, new seat on my bike while it had been locked up. I then found a short note that was attached to my bike. The note said, “I hope you have a nice ride home!” and even though we had only been married less than six months, I recognized the handwriting as that of my husband’s. Again, it was a really simple gesture, but it was something that my husband realized that he could do to make my daily routine a little nicer.”

Opportunities for us to show kindness and serve others are all around us. Let’s keep our eyes open, our hearts full, and make this world a place of love, compassion, and kindness.