To ask for the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

[MissSBluebell]

Feeling emotional over some help I’ve received from an “acquaintance” - Not even a friend. Someone has gone out of their way to help and advise me, when they gain nothing for doing it.

It’s made me want to step up and be kinder.

What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I lost my job and was on benefits for a while, an acquaintance paid for a full year of tuition for my eldest DD at her hobby so that she wouldn't have to give it up. Something she was very passionate about and it meant such a lot to us.

A few years ago, my son was undergoing chemo, I was heavily pregnant, all my children's Christmas presents were stolen out of my car on Boxing Day, a stranger saw a post on Facebook and turned up the next day with bags of presents for them.

parkhurst I’m so sorry for your tragic loss. Xxx

Was back packing around the world in the early 90s. Was leaving Thailand and my Lonely Planet said the departure tax was x amount. It was an old book and the price had gone up. Was flying home and hadn't a penny to my name. Thai authorities not impressed. A stranger heard the discussion between exasperated border control and a skint 20 something with dreadlocks and just walked up and paid for me.

I'll never forget you Ms Stranger. Thanks.

Outing slightly possibly-
My friend for 20 odd years and I have been chatting recently about me fixating on getting mobile (I’m disabled) and a few days ago she transferred me cash to buy a mobility scooter. Refuses to be paid back.
This in practical turns means I can start collecting my son from school. It means I can take the kids to the park, go out beyond what I can afford of a cab and minimal walking. She’s given me the gift of freedom and being the mum I didn’t think I’d get to be again.
She knows I appreciate it- but she’ll never know how much because words won’t do it justice. It makes me cry knowing there are people like her in the world

@parkhust How very sad, I'm so sorry x

@Icewill I am so very grateful x

Parkhurst - he really was a gentleman. I hope his simple kindness has brought you some comfort since your awful loss.

When I was living abroad, I was on a weekend away in another city and it started to snow. I needed to buy suitable boots and asked a local woman (in my then very poor attempt at the local language, as she did not speak English) if she could tell me where to find a shoe shop. She took me to one, translated, haggled and tried to pay for them which I refused. She then invited me to her home for a meal, which was several bus rides. We came to a very poor area where she lived. Her husband and children were there, we had a meal, and then the couple were bustling about in the other room. I thanked them and said I should go back to my hotel, but they showed me they had changed their bed and lit a stove in their bedroom, for me. I was a bit overwhelmed and said I was sorry I could not stay as I was staying with a friend at the hotel and she would worry about me (this was before mobile phones and the family had no phone). They were disappointed but understood. The husband went out to find a taxi for me, and when he came back they all waved me off and just as we started moving the husband gave the driver money to pay the fare. I burst into tears and have never forgotten this.

I used to be a training manager for a large organisation but I would also deliver a lot of training. My days when I was in work would be hectic- emails, phones calls, training, break and phone call, training, lunch and the same for the afternoon. I would see people regularly for different courses and there was a group who also brought me lunch as I never took it in as I rarely had time to eat. But it was nice to have a nibble.

Similar with training and food, but this was up North where I’d spend a week each month. This one group when they went out and bought hot food always got me some too without being asked.

Only seems small but these little gestures meant so much. Plus they would never take any more for the food no matter how hard I tried. So I used to keep it, and buy bags of sweets that I took in when they were on training.

First break up at university, I was 19 and I burst into tears waiting for a train ( to take me home to my mum) and a lovely lady handed me a tissue, asked me if it was about a boy and not to worry I would meet someone wonderful one day. She bought me a coffee and a magazine for the journey. Never forgotten her!

When I was 10 weeks pregnant with ds2 I was in a supermarket with ds1 (5), and I passed out at the checkouts.

I briefly came around and passed out, and when I came around again I couldn’t see ds2. I started panicking asking where my son was and the store manager said ‘he’s fine he’s over there’.

There was ds2 sat at a table in the cafe with an older man and women. The store manager walked me down and they said ‘we thought it was better to keep him occupied whilst they made sure you were okay, and he’s been a little angle and has eaten a packet of buttons and had a drink’

I was so grateful for that couple for a) taking good care of my son b) stopping him from seeing me led on the floor c) noticing that he had to also be taken care of whilst I was.

I never thought I would ever say I’m grateful for my son going off with strangers!

@Sheldonoscopy You have an Angel there! How kind of her. Good luck with your new mobility- do you need L plates? Lol when my exfil had one be put L plates on for the first month, then changed it to a number plate that read ‘boyracer’- and he lived up to that! Ds2 still talks fondly of riding on his scooter as a 3 year old (sadly exfil has now passed away).

Walking to train station around 6:30am in morning streets deserted and dark in winter.
Walking along where closed shops both side and no open round until you get past about six shop fronts.

Young tall man with hoodie on coming towards me head down with mobile and slight swagger. Pulled hoodie off as got close and walked past me without glancing up. Something made me turn slightly as he past and I noted he pulled his hoodie back up.

Made me think that he had realised I might be slightly frightened and did it as a gesture to reassure without being asked or waiting for acknowledgement or thanks.

I've been sexually assaulted in the past and this small gesture from a stranger meant a lot - I'm not sure he would even realise how much it meant but I was and remain grateful

@ParkheadParadise

I’m so sorry about your daughter

Thought of another. About 21, after a night out we had a minibus, it dropped me off 2 miles from home. It was snowing and I was in a mini bus and heels. Phoned dp for a lift. Whilst waiting a car with a man in piled up and asked if I needed a lift I said I was fine an someone was coming. He drove away and came back down the road, again asked I if wanted a lift or wait in the car for my lift. Obviously I saiid no. So he drove slightly further down the road and waited until my lift come. Immmediate thought was ‘was he going to do something to me’. Then dp said do you think he was making sure you were safe? I like to think it was the second thought.

My dh took his own life one Friday a year ago.
Friends took ds in from school with only a frantic phone message from me to stop him going home.
The same friends housed us both for 5 days with no notice.
The same friends put the word out (with my permission). And then it began...
Three more friends turned up the following day, let me talk and talk, took me walking.
Another friend came to see me and told me all about the school counsellor who she knew, and told me what the school could do for ds.
My friends' children looked after ds and made him laugh and feel normal.
My friend drove 2 hours there and back to take me to see dh's family.
My sister dropped everything (and she has the most complex and busy life imaginable) for me, juggling and travelling over the next two weeks.
Another friend took me to the GP, took me to the gym, talked to me, told me about her own widowhood.
Another friend took me back to the house when we were able to go back. I was half crazy with fear going in and it was a terrible job for her, she stayed calm and helped me and didn't snap.

The same friend just said 'tell me what you want for the funeral and I will make it happen'.
She rang another friend who did the catering for the wake, just for the cost of ingredients.

About eight friends turned up in relays throughout that day so I was never alone and there was constant coming and going which is what I wanted. They also cleaned. Most came with food for the freezer.

Another friend texted every day just to check I'd slept.
Another friend dropped her own young family, came to stay and cleaned my floor on her hands and knees as well as letting me talk endlessly.

Another friend stayed with me whenever the police needed to talk with me.

This was only the beginning. They have all remained absolutely steadfast. They have done more than anyone would believe possible. It is beyond belief. My only worry is trying to live up to what they have done.

Great thread OP.
Such heartbreaking and heart warming stories. Thank you to everyone, especially those who have lost those dearest to you.

When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer one of the school mums offered to collect my dd for me.

She dropped her to school and brought her home for me for 2 weeks and wouldn't even take a bunch of flowers ... she's now one of my best friends

My dog was very ill and needed to be PTS and i didn't have enough money, my bf at the time gave me the difference needed to be able to afford it, and didn't mind that i wanted a separate cremation so i could keep the ashes, just booked it in for me.

My aunties looking after me and my son for a month + when he was 8 weeks, and again when he was 11 months, when i was seriously ill and couldn't do a single thing for him or myself, opening their homes to us and never making us feel unwelcome.

When I was 18 I was at a party with friends in a small seaside village about 20 minutes drive but 2/3 hours walk from my house.

I started to feel like shit and left the party without telling anyone and proceeded to walk home, in the dark, alone in the rain on country roads.

Cars passing must have thought I was a lunatic, (I was...)
A taxi man stopped and made me get in, wouldn't take no for an answer and gave me a free lift all the way home.

It’s so easy to get dragged down with the negatives in life. I’ve been hurt and humiliated by men in my life, supposed to be there to love and support me. My father, my boyfriend...

But I can waste energy on them or I can focus on my mother - The one good person who I know I can always rely on.

She’s been there for me through all the crap and always knows the right thing to say or do.

I would be lost without her and count my blessings every single day that she’s my mother 💗

Please, take one thing from this thread and let it be to pass on some kindness to another person, not tomorrow, but today!

Life is too short and hard as it is, be kind

My mum died unexpectedly and I had to catch a flight to go to her. I was sobbing and sobbing in the airport and a lovely older woman, sat beside me, held my hand and gave me tissues. Hugged me when I had to get on my flight. Never spoke to me, except to say there there.

I like to think my mum's spirit found that lady and gave me comfort that morning. Worst morning of my life.

for Parkside so very sorry.

Once DH said to me we are going to hospital now, assumed we were all going and urgently so went outside with DD. Only to find it pouring with rain no DH or car insight and now locked out with no phone. A lady came by and said come over to my house, she took DD and I there made us drinks, offered us food and a phone and let us stay there until dh got back. She had to go out shopping so left me her house keys and children and even offered to find us a place to sleep that night with one of her friends.

When DD was born, the labour was long and went horribly wrong, ended up with an emergency c-section. Then DD had an infection, and was put in SCBU, and it was very touch and go that she’d survive and if she did there might be some life changing damage.

DH and I left SCBU to phone family, and let them know what was going on - in the days you had to use mobiles outside the hospital. DH left me in the reception bit as I couldn’t walk too far, while he called our families. I was sitting there clutching a Polaroid the nurse had taken of DD, and I just lost my shit. Started crying like there was no tomorrow, I was convinced she would die and we had already lost a baby to m/c.

Out of nowhere this lovely older lady appeared. She sat and held my hand, gave me a tissue and asked me what was wrong. When I told her, she told me all about her son who was a prem baby back in the 60s, and how he’d pulled through against all the odds and now was a strapping man and he was standing nearby. She stayed with me until DH got back, and to my shame I never caught her name.

She gave me the strength to go on at that point, and comforted me so much. I’ll never forget how the kindness of a random stranger made the worst time in my life better and gave me hope. DD pulled through, she’s now a sassy 16 year old (with a few learning difficulties) but it could have been so much worse. I just wish I could thank her properly.

On a very tight budget holiday. No credit cards or spare cash. Self catering and shopping was delivered. My dogs eye literally disintegrate and it was awful. I ran to the main house on the holiday complex on a farm and the owner rushed me to the nearest vet. The bill was over 700 to take out her eye. The farm lady paid for it with a promise from me that I would settle up when i could. I was overwhelmed. I paid her back within a month.