To ask, on World Kindness Day, what the kindest thing someone's ever done for you is?

[octoberfarm]

Just spotted that today was World Kindness Day and thought amidst all the dreary news (and November weather), it might be nice to have a thread about kindness.

I'll start: the first time I travelled anywhere as an adult, I went to Canada. I'd been traveling for nearly 22 hours (was a tad over-optimistic about the manageability of multiple layovers in a bid to bring flight costs down) when I got on a bus to get from the airport to downtown Vancouver. I'd only bought local currency in the form of notes, rather than coins, and the rather hassled bus driver took off whilst I was trying to pay. When he realized I didn't have any coins, he told me he'd be dropping me off in the industrial area we were passing through and I'd have to find another way to get where I was going. I was disorientated and jet-lagged, and starting to get a bit panicky, when a kind stranger stood up and asked how much I needed. She pulled a few quarters from her pocket and as I looked around, I saw that a heap of the other passengers were taking out change from their pockets too. They all contributed enough to cover my ticket, and as she left the bus, the original lady said "Welcome to Canada" with a giant smile. It's always stuck with me.

Also: the time a stranger walked me and my two kids to the car with his umbrella in a torrential rainstorm, and the kindness my toddler showed me the other day when I was upset. Sometimes a simple "don't worry Mummy, it's okay" is all you need

When I became a LP my dcs were tiny. Moving out of the family home with them I looked like a terrible tenant on paper.

I found a lovely little cottage which I viewed and ended up telling the landlady my current woes about the end of my marriage. I didn't expect to get the tenancy as there were loads of others after it. She rang me the next day to see if I liked it and offered it to me as she wanted to help me with my fresh start.

When I moved in she'd left a lovely gift for me and when I moved out a couple of years later she gave me pick of the furniture for my next home.

She really didn't have to do any of that and I'll be eternally grateful to her.

A stranger in the doctors waiting room rummaged in her bag and bought a tissue to me. She said nothing verbally but her eyes and the touch of my arm said a lot.

I was in floods of tears with really bad news. I’ll never forget what she did.

I was 18, and coming home to Germany (Forces family) after an interview at Cambridge near Christmas. I knew I hadn't got it - I was so ill I could barely croak my replies and I must have looked a state. My cabbie from the college to the station dropped me off with a simple "No charge, love - Merry Christmas." On the plane on the way back, I was sat next to a German nurse who spoke English. She advised me not to blow my nose too hard as the aircraft pressure meant it could do funny things to my head. I nodded and smiled but ignored her advice. Once we touched down, I blew my nose at the conveyor belt and passed out cold on the stone floor. I woke up to find the German nurse among those at my side, translating for the paramedics and explaining what must have happened. She helped me get my dad and brother through from where they were waiting for me. Truly a heaven-sent angel on that day.

Also, when I lived abroad in China, I once had to take a train at night to the school I was teaching at, without any knowledge of how I'd get from the station to the school. At my departure station, the guards realised I couldn't speak Chinese and collared a random middle-aged man who was going to the same place as me and more or less assigned him to look after me. He got me a place to sit, helped me out of the train with my luggage, and got me a taxi to my destination, taking pictures of the taxi's plates and (I think) taking the cabbie's number so he would know I'd been dropped off safely. So many more stories of that kind from my time in China - wonderful hospitable people.

So many things, but one which sticks out.
I was on holiday which had been paid for by a friend. On one of the days he told me we were going for a day out to a cheese factory. Fair enough, I thought. I day out is a day out and who doesn’t like cheese! When we arrived it didn’t look much like a factory....... it was a fabulous spa day with lunch!

My best friend died just before I was due to take some important exams. I was a total mess, hadn’t been able to revise at all, could barely speak without crying and was sitting in Starbucks waiting for it to be time for the exam.
Some of my classmates who I had hardly spoken to came in to get a coffee and saw me sat there obviously looking like shit. They bought me a coffee, went through what the exam would cover as best they could in bullet points so I could take it in and they collected all my stuff and basically frogmarched me to the exam hall and told me to just do my best and that anything was better than not showing up at all.

I passed the exam, and I don’t think I’d have even made it to the room without them.

3 days after my Mum died, we took my dad to the local pub for Sunday lunch. The knew my Dad had a tiny appetite at the best of times, and that he wouldn't manage a roast dinner, which was all they served on a Sunday. When I ordered, I said Dad didn't want anything, but asked if I could have a spare plate and cutlery in case I could persuade him to have some of mine. They said they would sort it out, and when they brought the food they brought him a beautifully presented roast beef sandwich with a salad garnish. The lady said "It's only one slice of bread, Mr F, I know you wouldn't manage more". When I paid, she refused to take anything for his food, and gave the rest of us free desserts. I will never forget her kindness.

I have a serious life-limiting illness - this is relevant.

One day I went to the hospital, dropped something outside and as I bent to pick it up came over dizzy and breathless. I was embarrassed to be sitting on the floor so I pretended that I was taking longer than usual picking up this item when a man came over and asked if I was ok. I explained that I’d become a bit breathless but that it would pass. He helped me up, refused to take no for an answer,and took me into the reception area where he found me a seat,then went to speak to the receptionist to make sure that I got to the right department and that someone would go with me to make sure I was ok. He then came to say goodbye, turned out he himself was on his way to casualty.

My friend who ccame to see me one day. While he was there I had groceries delivered. And again came over extremely breathless. Went to sit down as I felt so rough,and meanwhile friend put away all my shopping for me so I didn’t have to do it.

My dad who drives up,sometimes more than once in a week, and it’s a 200 mile round trip, just to drive me to hospital appointments.

I am of the belief that people in the world are generally good and kind.

I cycled round the world a few years ago. I'd just crossed into Iran and a small truck beeped, and the driver waved as he passed. A few miles down the road I saw his truck parked up and he was standing in the road flagging me down. He'd stopped at a stall, and he handed me an armful of fruit and cold drinks which he'd just bought for me saying 'welcome to Iran.' There were many similar things along the way, but I remember him tne most.

When I was 18 and pregnant with my first child my morning sickness was horrendous. I walked into work and puked all over the stairs. A girl I’d barely spoken to and didn’t actually much like cleaned it up for me.

After my youngest was born my friend/neighbour came over with a big box full of all the nice food I had missed when I was pregnant, sweets for my oldest and a bottle of beer for my husband. She’s amazing.

This is something my dear late husband did for someone. He was unchaining his bike in a car park and there was a young mother with two children who were literally in a very tight spot. Poor woman was terrified that she couldn't reverse out of the space without causing damage and starting to panic. DH saw her problem and asked if he could help (without making her look silly) and as a lorry driver he could certainly handle a car. He got into the driving seat and manoeuvred the car out for her. That was the sort of kind thing he did without making a fuss or expecting a round of applause. He had this sort of 'aura' about him - a lovely man and I miss him so.

I was thrown out at 14 by my dad and stepmum. He dumped me on my mums doorstep and drove off.... I, barely knowing my mum, hotfooted it to the nearest bus stop intending to make my way to my brothers flat.

I managed the coach bit ok, then knew how and which bus to get to his town. Problem was, I realised when it hit the bus station in his town, I had been to his flat twice, by car, and had no address just a visual reference.

I called into a taxi office and explained.... "I know there's a church opposite blah blah" and a taxi driver sat in the back room overheard and offered to take me around the streets to see if anything came back to me. As a grown woman now I know I must have been mad, but I was naïve and desperate.

BUT, he did indeed drive around for a good hour looking for said church, "Oh and it was on a hill...!" looking for hilly roads, until eventually we found it.

He would take no payment and waited until I was safely indoors.

I've often thought of tracing him to say a huge thanks! Without him I'd have spent the night on the streets.

I moved house last year with my three children. We were leaving our four bed detatched and buying a tiny terrace. Two days before moving day the boiler stopped working. I got the plumber out and he thought he could get the part on ebay but on moving day said my boiler was too old for parts and would have to buy a new boiler. My solicitor said I was liable so I started thinking of ways I could get the 3k for the new owners. The buyers called me on moving day and said they would cover the cost. That it could of happened anytime.I will never forget their kindness

I was on a bus on my way to work about 15 years ago when witnessed a young man getting knocked over and killed by a lorry. I was a mess, after giving details to the police etc the bus was allowed to continue it's journey and I had time to calm down. Getting off the bus at my stop, I was running very late for work and still had to walk a mile to get there. One of the other people on the bus checked I was ok and gave me 10p so I could ring work and let them know I was on my way.

A little act of kindness went a long way that tragic day.

Years ago, I worked in an office for a large company where military police manned the main gates. Having returned from work one evening, I suddenly realised I didn't have my handbag with me (phone, purse, my life, you know what it's like) and although I searched the car, I could only think it was at work. I rang the police on the gate and fortunately for me, one of the staff on duty was a woman who totally understood my panic. She went down the site to my office, got me to explain where my desk was and located the bag. She said she would lock it away overnight and I could claim it back in the morning. She of course had gone off duty by this time. I took her some wine and chocolates as a thank you but due to her shift pattern, it was actually a few weeks later before I saw her again. She said none of the men would have understood the blind panic associated with not having your bag and belongings with you. I was so lucky she was on duty that night.

When I was stuck in the labour ward for nearly two entire weeks (!) before having my DS, nearly four months early, one night one of the midwives sat with me and we chatted for ages at that witching hour sort of time when all my fears and pain and uncertainty were at their most unbearable. Then a few days later she came in on her day off to see how I was doing!!! It was such a horrific time (after the birth we then spent months on the NICU rollercoaster in two separate hospitals) that I forgot her name to be able to seek her out and thank her afterwards. I still feel guilty about that eight years later - but I'll never forget her kindness and empathy at the most frightening time of my life.

When ds1 was a baby he was a truely awful sleeper. DH and I were on our knees with exhaustion. One of dh's colleagues (who didn't have kids) offered to come and stay overnight and do all the night wakings for us so we could get a proper night sleep (mix fed at this point so was possible). I was so so grateful for that sleep, and it was such a thoughtful offer from someone who hadn't been in that situation herself so probably didn't realise quite what a massive difference that made for us. I'll never forget her

After a large bleed while being 15 weeks pregnant my husband was meant to have a big meeting the next day but was with me in hospital. He rang his boss to day he can't go and apologised. His boss simply said "your baby is more important, look after your family " that baby is 4 and snoring away. When we got married his boss drove 3 hours to be with us and gave husband a long overdue bonus/wedding present (2k) I know he did it to see us right.

Long overdue bonus was the excuse ;-)

Two separate acts of kindness on the same journey. I was a runaway young teen (for good reason). Then I got sick through not eating properly. I realised I needed help so was trying to hitch a lift hundreds of miles back to where I'd left (I can't call it home). A man picked me up and took me to a service station and bought me a meal. He insisted on giving me money to get my next meal (I insisted he gave me his address so I could pay him back) and we parted company. I then hitched another lift from a lorry driver and he insisted on taking me right to my door, hundreds of miles out of his way. When I got there I discovered my mum had rented out my room and there was nowhere for me. But I had the money the earlier man had lent me so I was able to find somewhere to stay. I lost the man's address and feel forever sad about that. So many awful things could have happened to me during that period and I always feel someone was watching over me. To those two kind men, thank you.

After a really bad break up with an abusive ex I spent the night out on the street trying to find somewhere safe to sleep. At about 5 in the morning a very kind woman walking the dog told me to come to hers for a brew and a sandwich. That kindness is something I'll always remember.

And the midwife who told me that none of us know if we are going to be any good at parenting but the least we can do is try, when I was thinking about giving up my soon to be born unexpected son for adoption. Thank you for giving me much needed hope - I have a wonderful much loved family now and wouldn't have it if it wasn't for you.

I’m struggling to think of anything kind that anyone has ever done for me. That’s so sad.

After thinking for ages I remembered that an elderly person once stopped to give me a lift to the next village because I was standing at the bus stop not knowing there were no more buses. Unfortunately he misjudged and flattened the bus stop with his car. It’s the thought that counts though!

When my baby was 6mo I took him on a trip out one afternoon without realising there was a big event on the same day and the city would be busy. When we went to get the train home about 5pm there were HUNDREDS of people queuing right down the street. The train station guard estimated a 3hr queue to get on the train. I knew it was busy but not THAT busy! I panicked because it was cold and getting dark, and I couldn’t wait in that queue with a tiny baby who’d scream, starve and freeze to death.

I crossed the road to a restaurant (which was also packed because everyone else who was facing a 3hr wait had gone for a meal). I told the man on the door that I’m desperate and I know he won’t have any tables or be able to serve me any food, but I’d be so grateful for just a chair where I could feed my baby and keep him warm while I wait for the train queue to go down.

He immediately seated me in the bar area and gave me the first available table where I enjoyed a leisurely three course meal, and then I was allowed to sit there breastfeeding my baby and hogging the table for a total of about 3hrs until the train queue died down.

The brave woman who consented to donate her partner's kidneys (among other things) in the midst of her

grief.
I was lucky enough to be one of several beneficiaries of their generous, selfless actions.
I'm grateful every day to her partner but I think of her often and am amazed that at possibly the worst time of her life, she was able to be generous to others.

Lovely thread! Ive had strangers helping me with the buggy at stations, suitcases on planes and even had a Canadian Italian family adopt us on holiday! They made sure the hotel added us to their table for meals and taught dd an italian card game that she still loves. Before we left they gave us the special pack of cards to keep. It made our holiday! As a single mum these little things can make such a difference.