To ask what's the loveliest thing someone has done for you?

[Antsinpants]

To end a shitty week with a warm fuzzy thread. Mine is when dd1 was a few weeks old and I was totally knackered, struggling to bf and using formula, my lovely SIL - who had also just had a baby - washed and sterilised all my bottles so I didn't have to. Such a small thing, but it meant everything to me at the time and she's still easily my favourite person in the world. Share the love!

Crying a bit reading these.
One of the previous posts reminded me of this - I live in a rather busy and chaotic city (not in UK). One day when I was 7/8 months pregnant, I had to get the bus home from work. Only there was a public transport strike, very few buses running, the bus stop was crowded and there was a mad crazy rush of people whenever one did come along. The sun was baking hot, I was exhausted, I was despairing of how I was ever going to get home.
A couple of ladies running a stall near the bus stop ordered me to sit down in their shade. When the next bus came along they fought their way through the crowd, one sat in a seat to keep it for me while the other cleared a way through so I could go and sit there. A small thing, but amazing kindness from strangers expecting nothing in return.

It might seem like a small thing but when my DC was a small baby and unwell and crying every time I put him down, a friend called over near to lunch time. She realised that I had basically been sitting down holding him all morning and went into the kitchen and made me some lunch. She then tidied the (rather messy) kitchen, that had not been cleaned since the night before including sweeping the floor. It might not sound like much but I have always, always remembered her kindness as it made such a difference to me on that day.

My XH was terribly abusive, absolute controlling man. I had a C-Sec with DD, and I was full of nerves and began to cry whilst they were operating. XH said something along the lines of 'here we go, tears again'. The nurse sitting at my head stroked my hair and wiped my tears and told me my life would change for the better in a few minutes then she looked up at XH and told him how important I was and special the moment was.

Seconds after DD was born, they took her away to clean her up and XH bought DD to me. I asked if I could see her and he shielded her away from me saying now wasn't the best time. Nurse who was sat at my head, went up to him and said mother and child needed skin to skin contact and placed her on my chest. I will never forget how empowered she made me feel. I needed her kindness after 6 of the worst years of my life, it was the start of me getting some control back... I left him 6 weeks later.

When my dc were younger I was in a really bad place and was on my arse money wise. It was easter and I woke up on easter morning to an easter basket full of chocolate addressed to my kids from the easter bunny.

It had been left there anonymously and I'm pretty sure I know by who, a lovely neighbour from a few doors down. I have never mentioned it to her and she has never mentioned it either. I haven't lived there for many years now but I have her on FB and she is still just as lovely and kind hearted today as she was then.

The day before my 21st I had moved into a flat in France to start my year abroad, been there a week and not spoken to anyone. I have never been so lonely. I ran into this lovely Australian girl 2 floors above who started a conversation, and mentioned my birthday. When I got back to my room later there was a note under my door telling me to come downstairs in the morning at 10. She organised a picnic and zoo visit with all the other exchange students so I immediately gained 10 friends!

I've just read the whole thread and am in floods of tears, its so moving! Its made me want to try to do more small kind things for people, its easy to forget what a difference it can make.

Ditto, pringle. Eyes peeled for an opportunity to do something nice for someone! Love this thread, so much better then the nastiest thing thread.

Unmumsnetty hugs to everyone (ok, ok, I'm pregnant, it's allowed!)

I love RAOK, reminds me that the world is not a terrible place.

2 weeks ago in London a cabbie stopped and asked if I was ok, 7 months pregnant with case / laptop struggling the walk to
the office with braxton hicks. Told him I was walking to the office a mile away as I had no cash and couldn't find my card, that I was slow but I'd get there. He gave me a lift to my office and wouldn't take anything for it. I cried when I got there. Bless that man

The family who found DS's kitten, realised she was missing ( from FB) and called us at 6am to tell us they had her and she was ok.

Will always appreciate them taking time to find out if she was ok/ lost rather than just ignoring her.

They were cat people themselves, so I guess they knew how horrible it is when one goes missing.

I'd been followed in my car for miles along a lonely stretch of the M4 by a group of men. It was 3 in the morning and I was alone in my car. The other car started nudging my bumper and pulling up alongside me, weaving in and out in front of me - I was in a state of true terror when a services sign appeared. This was 25 years ago so no mobile phones and in South West Wales where even service stations close at midnight.

I screeched into the service station and saw it was closed. But at the far end of the car park, 3 or 4 long distance lorries were parked up with a group of men chatting and smoking outside. I remember them scattering as I drove at speed to reach them, stalling my car and jumping out to run to them. I had no idea if I was running into more trouble but I was sobbing and terrified.

3 of the drivers immediately started towards the car - it had stopped about 10 yards away blaring its lights but after a short stand- off fucking cowards sped off. I was given sweet tea from a flask and time to calm down.

To top it off, when I told them that I was driving to the ferry port in Fishguard, they gave me a convoy escort the whole way down - my tiny fiesta, between two enormous articulated trucks.

You must be in your 70's by now Ray - I thank you and your friends from the bottom of my heart.

Oh man, I've read more and the story about Ray and the truck drivers has set me off again! And I'm not even pregnant or premenstrual!

Love this thread.

The nicest thing anyone said to me. My sister, who knew from a very early age that she didn't want children, said to me after months of trying to conceive, I'd have a baby for you. We grow closer as the years pass.

Few years ago now, had been ill for about a year and life was sort of on hold. A woman I'd met briefly on a past training course (of 2 days) turned up unexpectedly in her car with her delightful dog and suggested I join them on a short walk. They continued to keep turning up. Our walks got longer, I got fitter and most of all she gave me peace and the space to work through all the issues my illness had thrown up. Then one day she simply said you don't need us anymore. And vanished out if my life again. I dearly hope she knows what she gave and how much it was and is appreciated. Her kindness changed me and a try to be kind and considerate on a daily basis.

One other, my parents bought me diamond earrings for my 21st. After many years of very regular wear, I list one of the diamonds and was distraught. This was at a time when I had no money. Friend had diamond replaced .. never mentioned the cost. Am wearing them as I type.

This thread is lovely

There have been quite a few occasions where I've felt very grateful to others, but a couple stuck with me:

My mum was already quite frail because of a severe heart condition and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Given her health, the chances of her surviving (even with treatment) were very slim. I rarely cry and I never do it in public, so I just processed the news and went to work that day. One of my best friends (I have 2) saw I was down and took me to the archive room where I broke down and hugged me until I calmed down.

Another one: My mum's funeral was a mess. My dad was in shock and the funeral home had a proper cock up with the funeral arrangements. After all had finished, my other best friend, who lived 2 hours away from me at the time, took time off and stayed at my house for a week. We talked, went shopping, watched silly comedies and he made me feel loved and supported (DH was a champ as well, he's a sweetie).

Sometimes people are amazing.

*when I felt (sorry!)

Oh just remembered another. DD was tiny and I Was struggling with shopping, had period pains from hell, and I had a load of steps to get up. Lift nowhere to be seen. A group of lads, about 15-16 years old, hoodies and low slung jeans sauntered by then turned around to face me. I immediately expected abuse but they offered help. I ended up with 2 lads carrying my pram, 1 lad telling them to be careful, and the fourth lad with my bags.

I'll never judge teenagers again.

I wasn't well I was a single mother asked ds 8 to go next door with £5 and asked the neighbour to buy some pain killers for me

Well I must of passed out on the sofa she washed my dishes made dinner for ds and took him to the park I woke up as they were coming back

Awsome

Oh dear, wine and reading this is a recipe for panda eyes! 3 spring to mind for me:-

After I had Ds (Forceps, stitches etc etc) I was at home and was in agony after a few days when the bruising came out, asked a friend if she could come and take me to the drs but she couldn't as too many kids etc with my baby and dd and her dc to fit in her car as I couldn't drive, eventually after lots of trying to think of ways around it I realised that I would have to call my ils to help which they did, dmil watched the dc while dfil took me carefully to the drs sitting on a cushion in his car. When I got in to the (rather elderly) drs room he asked me to hop up on the couch and when he looked at my nether regions took me by the hand and patted it and said my dear, I truly don't know how you've walked in here, I said neither do I and sobbed for a long time. He gave me really good pain killers but it was the sympathy that really touched me!

When my dear friends dh died I wasn't sure whether to go round or leave her be with her family but I decided to pop round with the view that I would leave immediately if I wasn't needed. I was very much welcomed and her dm asked me if I would like to see him (he was still in bed upstairs). I told her that I really would but I was scared as I had never seen a person after they'd died before, she said no problem she'd come up with me and she did and held my hand the whole time. He was more like a son to her than a sil and that fact that she'd taken the time to make me feel better, at such a dreadful time for her family, meant an awful lot to me. She is a very special lady as is her dd.

On the school run the day after my dfs funeral, my friend asked what I was doing that day, I said I was going to the cemetery to collect the flowers to take to the hospice as a couple of older relatives at his funeral had remarked that it was the 'done thing' (I had never heard of this tradition). She asked if I would like her to come with me and I said no, but thanks, I'll be fine. She said no I'm coming with you, and she did, the cemetery was fine but having to walk past the room where he died left me running back to the car, I'm so grateful to her for coming with me that day.

I was pregnant, working overseas and ex H left because I refused to have a termination. Dparents weren't keen on me coming home because I would be a single mother and I only had six weeks' maternity leave. DSis (herself a mother of two who worked full time) offered to look after my DD until such time as I could cope. As it happened, I could cope but it was a lovely offer and was meant to give me another option and breathing space at a tricky time.

Two years ago I let myself into DM's house and I found that she'd died. My DSis was at a wedding 200 miles away and DH was halfway through a 4 hour train journey. They were both on their way back, but a crew of really lovely emergency services personnel were there doing their jobs in such a professional manner - until one of the police officers stopped what she was doing and gave me a big hug. It meant so much as I felt very very alone at that point.

I have slightly watery eyes now too.

This thread is so lovely!

A friend made a week's worth of meals for us after DD was born. Was just what we needed as I stayed in hospital.

Struggling at work (teacher) and a friend from an online parents group sent me a book and some other things. I've actually set up a random acts of kindness thing going on with them!

Sobbed at work on Wednesday notice a theme and dint have lunch with me. Said I wasn't hungry and couldn't go to the shop for food on the state I was in. TA got me lunch from the lovely little cafe and cake. Popped it in to me when I was crying with another teacher and said nothing. I know she sometimes struggles with money and it was just lovely of her.

At Christmas one year an ATM ate my bank card. I cried (wondering what I was going to do for money over Christmas when the banks were closed as this happened on a Friday or Saturday and Christmas was mon/tues). Was sat in my car wondering what I was going to do when a man came and gave me a tin of roses as he'd overheard me. So sweet.

Such a wonderful thread, thank you for starting it. I have cried a lot!

I can't really think of much except, on a flight back, long haul, from visiting my home country, I was sat next to the window staring out,streaming silent tears as I was sad to say goodbye to people . I felt a tap on my shoulder, took my headphones out and a lovely stewardess handed me a box of tissues and a glass of wine, patted my shoulder and said I hope this makes you feel better. It did. Bless her heart.

A couple of years ago, I worked with a a woman who was just lovely. A really hard worker, not to be messed with in her profession, but with a big, bubbly personality and a heart of gold. A bit of a superwoman in my eyes and someone who seemed to have it all, but worked hard for it and was still so down to earth. Loved hearing about her teenage family, all destined for great things, and the things she got up to pre-children. I had a DS (still do!) who was 7/8/9 in the time I knew her and I was always bombarding her with questions and asking her advice, which she was always happy to give. One time she even made me part of his costume for World Book Day, hopeless creature that I am. I lost my parents when I was little and although my aunt and uncle raised me, she was like my work mum.

Anyway, not long before she left us, I was planning a city break for DS and I. It was costing me a fortune, but we were so excited. I'd booked our train tickets, and some attraction tickets, and our hotel was to be paid on arrival. Then there was a mix up with my tax credits and they were suspended. I had to cancel the trip as I had expensive childcare over the summer and just didn't k ow how to cover that, let alone go on the trip.

A few weeks later this friend was leaving us, and she took me into a private office and gave me a card and told me to read it later. When i did, it was the loveliest card I'd ever had, telling me what a great mum I was, how wonderful my son was, and even praising my aunty who raised me. She had also put a three figure sum of money in the card and told me to use it when I rebooked our trip, or use it for something else special to do with DS.

The money was such a lovely gesture in itself, but the words in the card from someone like her meant much, much more.

I mentioned to a stranger at the gym that I had forgotten a banana to eat at work. Met her again about an hour later as I was going into the shower. Came out of the shower to see she had left me a banana with a smiley face drawn on. Really cheered me up.

A stranger put my big heavy Ikea boxes in my car for me. Then another stranger unloaded them and carried them into the house for me. Was so touched.