Yesterday I was on the receiving end of a little kindness
Gayle, a blogger from the Sunny desert of the far west of the United States, sent me a walking dead package of goodies.
It was a generous gift where even the package was decorated with a hand drawn sketch of my menagerie .
The postman commented on the sketch with some enthusiasm
This morning I was called to the house of a neighbour to check on them after a fall. All I could do was to reassure them before they were visited by the health services, but I was thanked for my kindness.
I wasn't being kind...I was being neighbourly
Gayle was being kind. Her gift was designed to give some pleasure and some support and I was greatly touched by it.
When was the last time someone was kind to you..? And what did they do?
I think we would all benefit from reading a few heartwarming tales....
Over to you
Gayle, a blogger from the Sunny desert of the far west of the United States, sent me a walking dead package of goodies.
It was a generous gift where even the package was decorated with a hand drawn sketch of my menagerie .
The postman commented on the sketch with some enthusiasm
I wasn't being kind...I was being neighbourly
Gayle was being kind. Her gift was designed to give some pleasure and some support and I was greatly touched by it.
When was the last time someone was kind to you..? And what did they do?
I think we would all benefit from reading a few heartwarming tales....
Over to you
We have an elderly neighbour who is very unwell with a catalogue of conditions, and means he has a very restricted diet. He can't eat commercial or yeasted bread, so I made him a sodabread loaf to try. He liked it and it caused him no problems, so I said I would make him one every week. He was so grateful, he offered to pay me! I politely declined as it takes minutes and costs pennies and, in any case, I was, like you, just being neighbourly. That brought a tear to my eye though, it was such a kind offer, and I am struggling a bit lately.
ReplyDeleteYou should have said yes. That yes would , I suspect given him pleasure too
DeleteTwo great kindnesses yesterday John. First of all Gayle also sent me (well Tess really) a lovely parcel - a toy for Tess, a little book for me, a packet of book marks (very pretty) and a little cactus badge. She has done something similar several times before - she is such a loving and caring lady.
ReplyDeleteI have been away in the Lakes for a few days - as I was going in yesterday the Postman came dashing up (he had been driving past) to make sure I had found Gayle's parcel which he had put round the back of my bungalow in a safe place.
My dear friend W is kind to me every single day in some form or another, calling me for a chat, picking me up as she passes, suggesting we eat out somewhere.
Both my neighbours are kind too - bring in my dustbin from the bottom of my steep drive - things like that.
I try hard to do kindnesses in return.
I suspect you are kind daily my friend
DeleteI rarely receive such kindness. Ye shall reap what ye sow. But just today, a departing customer, an older balding thick set well dressed bloke, turned around and smiled at me and gave me a wave. It quite made my day. Sadly the gesture did not come with a like button to click.
ReplyDeleteThere is always a slight undercurrent in your replies Andrew which is designed to make me think you are not always a nice person. I question that and wonder why you do it
DeleteWhy does she / he ? bother to come over here ??? !!!
DeletePerhaps Andrew is being honest. I think very few of us are always nice.
DeleteFake news John. Some vicious old bitchy queen has spread rumours about me........ah, that would be me. Self deprecation I suppose. I'll leave it for it for psych type medical person to work out why I do it. Ah, that would be you.
DeleteSince my husband passed 4 months ago I have been taken care of by friends and family. My brother and his wife helping with horse feed lifting,yard mowing and invites over for suppers several times a week. A sister who drives 30 miles from her home to sit and hold my hand on really bad days. A friend who takes me out for an ice cream. Don't know what I would have done without them. Warms my broken heart.
ReplyDeleteI suspect your reap what you sow
DeleteI find most people are kind, given the opportunity. What's touched me recently? I gave a friend some technical advice, more just reflecting what he already thought, I didn't feel I'd done much. He and his wife came over and swapped all my light bulbs for LED ones. The house is brighter and it's cheaper to run! But often it's the little mundane kindnesses- a smile, a seat offered, a kind word that can make all the difference. I try to pay it forward by being kind to others.
ReplyDeleteSweet and practical
DeleteA couple of weeks ago some kind blog friend sent me a lovely parcel with three great books, some chocolates and treats for the cat. It is lovely that people we have never met can sometimes be kinder and more generous than those we see every day!
ReplyDeleteSue and her brother is kind every time she visits from LLanrwst and lifts my spirits just like you do with your blog. Stay as sweet as you are John XX Joan
ReplyDeleteI'll. try,
DeleteI love the drawinh....very personal and touching.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that that is a drawing of Winnie on the packaging? To me it looks like a photograph.
ReplyDeleteOoooouch
DeleteA lady I barely know at WI presented me with a wicker basket, as she 'knew I wanted one' for keeping my craft projects in. I have no recollection of even mentioning it (though it was true that I wanted one), she must have had her ear to the ground. Such a nice gesture. It made my day.
ReplyDeleteI see that her own black dog is on there too. My youngest son sent me a wonderful playlist of good music recently; it'll probably take me months to listen to all of it. That was nice of him!
ReplyDeleteThat's georg
DeleteWe got on a crowded train. A woman moved from her seat to another just so that husband and I could sit together. Such a simple act. One she didn't have to do. I was very touched by her thoughtfulness.
ReplyDeleteThe small. Thoughts are so often the best
DeleteI picked up my ankle-foot orthoses on Monday. It was scary, sad, bitter and maybe a tiny bit empowering although I haven't decided on that yet.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's boyfriend brought me flowers. I was touched that a very healthy, young, athletic man recognised the significance of the day for me, his mother in law
Unexpected surprises.....are the best
DeleteMy best years are behind me and I don’t always hear well and make many mistakes. When I go to my volunteer job, I am treated with such kindness and praise by the staff and clients that for eight hours in the week, I feel like I have value again. That is the greatest kindness anyone can give another.
ReplyDeleteYour best years, are to come x
DeleteThe little girl across the road brought Tony and I a cake and mini apple crumble that she had made with her mum. The previous week her neighbour... another little girl had brought me a beautifully packed box of fairy cakes. I was so touched by these little unexpected acts of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI am shown love and kindness every day , in little things people do. The greatest kindness I have been given happened 2 yrs ago. I visited a housebound lady weekly .who had no one else, her 2 kids lived thousands of miles away. We had known her growing up and I enjoyed every visit. She passed away at 96. I received a call one night from the son, informing me that they were driving through Montreal on their way to Nova Scotia and would like to take me with them completely paid for 10 days . His sister and him wanted to show me how much they appreciated what I did for their mother. I was blown away and it was a trip of a life time. Cottage right on the ocean and eating Lobster everyday. And I found 3 new best friends. Barb
ReplyDeleteI knew if I'd put this subject out some lovely Torres would be unearthed
DeleteAs in 'Benito Del'??lol x
DeleteYour posts and comments aften make me cry...but this one had me laughing.
DeleteI had to call the doctor for my elderly mother this morning. She has been in bed for the last 3 days with a COPD flare up, on oxygen. She's very ill. I'm her full time carer. As I walked the young doctor to the door, he took my hand and asked "How are YOU doing ? If you need to talk, call me any time". It was so unexpected that I almost burst into tears. Being an ex nurse, it is always expected, by the family, that I will cope. I am coping, but his words really touched me. Very kind.
ReplyDeleteAnother sweet story..thank you
DeleteAnd do make sure you take care of yourself. Caregivers always burn out.
DeleteHave a cup of tea and read a favorite old book or watch a funny show. Anything to give you some you time.
That doctor was very kind.
I try and be kind in every thing I do, holding doors open for much longer than necessary, reaching things down off high shelves for little old ladies, asking if folks need assistance if ever they look lost, confused or upset. Chatting to people that need a conversation, there's a lot of them in the M&S cafe. But don't get me wrong I'm not all sweetness and light ... take advantage, piss me off or be rude to me or mine and I'll bite your head off without pausing to take a breath ����
ReplyDeleteOh that i have no doubt..ive met you xx
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGayle is brilliant !
DeleteThe kindness that I remember was when my husband died. We had just moved into our new home so we knew no one, it was out in the country so while there were houses nearby , there weren't "next door neighbors" ..
Every day a total stranger would come to my door and bring me food or see if I was ok.
The oil/gas man checked on me to be sure I was good for the coming winter ..the mail lady brought the mail to the door instead of out in the mailbox .. The vet didn't charge me when I brought my new kitten in to be checked .. I had told them she was my substitute husband at night in that big empty bed :)
Maybe because your/our feelings are so raw, our hearts are so broken, we feel and recognize the kindness that is shown to us .. ,more so on ordinary days .. or maybe it is just the way it should be, people can be kind ..
Kindness spreads a long way eh?
DeleteA friend talked me out of killing myself.
ReplyDeleteHer reasons weren't persuasive, but her kindness was.
:)
This is such a powerful and brief comment that says so much xx
DeleteI sincerely hope that life is much better for you now xx
DeleteA blog friend sent me some blackberry preserves that she made and that was a kindness for sure. My husband is arranging a vacation for us in my favorite place and that is a kindness. My children always include me in plans for outings and that is certainly kind. And my grandchildren, the little ones, always give me bites of their food which I see as them practicing kindness and it makes me feel as if they are going to grow up to be thoughtful and kind people and I cherish that.
ReplyDeleteThe place where I live is aptly called "the grove", as there are about two hundred trees along it's lanes and between each dwelling. Several residents had complained about needing to deal with fallen branches, leaves, nuts, etc. So the owners hired a company to come through to trim,thin or cut down anything that could cause problems.
ReplyDeleteWhen the crew approached my place I asked them what they intended to do. They pointed out several things explaining the reason it all needed to be done. The owner's son watched me quietly walk away and went to speak to them himself. He knows that I love listening every morning for the birds' songs around sunrise, hearing the wind blow through the trees around my windows, sitting in the sheltering canopy of leaves to see the chipmunks and squirrels gather their and their families' food.
Upon closer examination prompted by whatever he said to them, they saw the birds nest in one tree, and how the butterflies gathered among the shaded plants of another and left without touching anything growing on my part of this place.
It may seem a small thing to anyone that doesn't spend much time outside among nature and the wee creatures that live in it, but I felt like weeping when I realized he had made sure I could remain as happy here as I am.-Mary
Beautifully written as usual mary
DeleteWhat a beautiful and kind gesture.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading everyone's comments and it warms my heart that there still are so many kind people in the world.
I work in a medical clinic and try to have a word with our elderly and lonely patients hoping to brighten their day.
But I always try to be kind, smile to people, help anyone I see that is struggling. Have a great day John.
There has been torrential rain here all day ☔️
DeleteAfter a recent storm we had a tree come down in the yard and our new neighbor not only came over to help us cut it up, but he then used his truck to haul away the debris.
ReplyDeleteVery nice of him.
PS The drawing is fabulous!
Isnt it bob...im going to frane it
DeleteI'm a type 2 diabetic and took a massive dose of the wrong insulin at bedtime last night. I put out a question to a group I belong to on Facebook (all diabetics), and had to stay up all night checking my blood sugar and trying to stay awake. There was never less than two people online ALL NIGHT LONG helping me through it. All is better now, but that's kindness in my book.
ReplyDeleteEveryone of these stories out does the previous
DeleteI helped a young man in the neighborhood (a stranger - he asked for help on our Nextdoor website) go pick up a load of dirt for a little garden he was making (I have a big vehicle), then helped him unload it into the raised bed frames he had made. Months later I was in my front yard when he came walking up to give me a large jar of spicy homemade pickles he had made with the cucumbers he grew. They were delicious, and I was thrilled! Yes, it was "repayment" for something I did for him - but I certainly didn't expect it, so it was a wonderful surprise :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband had aortic valve/aneurysm repair 6 months ago. To name all the acts of kindness shown by the medical staff would be impossible. A few remain in my heart and memory. The receptionist who brought me a much needed coffee without being asked, the surgical nurse who was so compassionate as he gave me hourly updates during the surgery. And last but not least the surgeon who on his day off came to my husbands room, took my hand and asked me how I was. Gayle is so very thoughtful and I love the drawings! :)
ReplyDeleteYes I was always taught that is it a well times cup of tea and hand on shoulder which helps a patient's family
DeleteI was invited to help myself to someone's damson trees, the other week. I pucked 17lbs. They didn't want anything for them, but they got a jar of damson jelly, Deliah's damson chutney, plus a bottle of damson vodka is going to them for Christmas, as a thank you for their generosity xx
ReplyDeleteMy sister gave me a box full of treasured family photos, I have found things I never knew existed in that box.
ReplyDeleteThis didn't happen to me, but was pretty great; yesterday, many residents of a nearby neighborhood reported on our Nextdoor website that an unknown person left one long-stemmed red rose on each of their doorsteps - apparently just a random act of kindness :)
ReplyDeleteThis last week has been especially difficult for our family, but we got through without crashing and burning. Our kids and their partners closed ranks and held each other up, supported each other as well as us. I can’t tell you the relief knowing our kids are ok and are nice people, I knew that but watching them be kind to each other as well as our extended was heart warming, tonight I’ll be able to sleep.
ReplyDeleteForgot to add my name, Jo
DeleteClosing ranks , a time of power
DeleteSending you that package made my day brighter. As I am pretty housebound I do not get out much so this is my way to come over for a chat and a scotched egg. Plus I would love to see your gud dugs and kitty.
ReplyDeleteYour posts about your village life is the best gift/kindness I could ask for.
cheers, parsnip and badger
gayle xo
...and I loved your drawings.
DeleteGayle, you are one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. You're so incredibly generous...I know, because I've been on the receiving end of your kindness more than once! ❤
DeleteGayle, I will never forget your kindness to me either.
DeleteI recently met a cousin for the first time ever. He showed me some old family photographs on his ipad, that he had come across, my parents, our grand parents, and great grandparents. He had them printed as real photographs and sent them to me in the post. So pleased to have them.
ReplyDeleteI've also had parcels in the post from blog readers, people are very kind. ilona
They are
DeleteI live with a man named George who puts up with me, who just rebuilt my closet, who just rebuilt my back stairs when we discovered how shoddy they were under the carpet. He's a very thoughtful dear, and he is taking me out for a birthday dinner this evening. It's a lot of Kind.
ReplyDeleteGeorge is a good egg
DeleteAh, methinks that being neighborly IS being kind.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago, our next door neighbor brought us a tomato pie as her recipe made two. We last took them a Vidalia onion pie as our recipe made two pies. Nice!
Off to google Visalia
DeleteThese sweet onions are grown in Vidaila, Georgia, USA and are called VIDALIA onions. Am not sure what Google had to say about Visalia! :)
DeleteI don't know if you can get Vidalia onions in your country but if you can do try them as they are the best!
DeleteThe kindnesses in these comments are wonderful. The pictures are literally delightful.
ReplyDeleteI'm appreciating your true kindness, John, in letting U's comment remain. You and all your readers are bigger than that as their heartfelt comments show.
ReplyDeleteThere are nettles everywhere, but smooth, green grasses are more common still; the blue of heaven is larger than the cloud. Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Sorry it's been deleted Ruth. And any subsequent comment will be deleted and deleted again
DeleteI really wondered why it hadn't been deleted. She's a minority of one, thank goodness, and doesn't deserve one second of your time. Some folks just never get it - look at what she's missing!
DeleteI love the drawing. A friend said something very kind to me the other day which cheered me up no end x
ReplyDeleteThose drawings are darling! So spot on.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a kindness to us all. It has brought together such a wonderful group of people sharing warm thoughts...uplifting!
ReplyDeleteRachel (who also posts here) has been so very kind to me in helping with learning more information about my uncle who was stationed at the Tibenham Air Base during WWII. His plane was shot down over the sea and he was never found so listed as MIA. She even went to the Second Air Division Memorial Library and found information for me and mailed it to me here in the states. Rachel has gone out of her way to help me and my family learn more information about his death and we are very grateful to her!
ReplyDeleteAnd she never blew her own trumpet either..so typical
DeleteIt was very moving for me and the staff at the Library as the story unfolded. We were both subdued and uplifted at the same time, if that makes any sense. I never mentioned what I was doing on the blog because it was so personal to Bonnie and her family and I felt it not right for me to share. Thank you for thinking of me here today, Bonnie, in John's post and your kind words, and thank you John for your response. I do not think many people in blogging really know or understand me, just a few like the two of you. xxx
DeleteIt was very caring and helpful what you did Rachel. I do not mind if you mention it in your blog at all but I do thank you for your kind consideration of me and my family. You went out of your way to get information and photos for me that I would never be able to get myself. I would love to visit your country and go to the places you went to but that would be financially not possible for me. So what you did was very special to me and I will always thank you and remember you for it!
DeleteMy Grandaughters want to come for a sleepover on Saturday. We're getting fish and chips, popcorn and Pringles (as requested) and will be settling down to watch 'Strictly'. They give me all the kindnesses rolled into one that I'll ever need.x
ReplyDeleteTime company.......
DeletePeoples time is another great kindness
DeleteNot a kindness, but I recognized a kind person recently & told her so. She and her family had come to the Conservatory one day when I was volunteering. Having grown up in India, she was very familiar with a lot of our plants in the Tropical Lowlands gallery. Warm & effusive, she shared anecdotal info. about a number of plants. As it turned out, she and her family moved approximately 15 yrs ago from India for work. Their journey had taken them from Manchester to Manitoba, Michigan to California. When asked how she liked all of these places, she responded with how lovely and helpful her neighbors had been in each and every place they'd lived. I told her that I suspected it was because of her warm & friendly demeanor. Like breeds like, I'd told her & I think that that's true.
ReplyDeleteA warm nature is a kindness
DeleteZayn had a readmit. My bestie Tina, called as I was coming out the door headed to my car. She drove up there to give me moral support and dinner was a plus! Acts of kindness help us along on daily paths of our lives. I love the drawing! Gabs
ReplyDeleteChin up gabs ....best friends often save the day as you have probably done for her many times
DeleteWhen I moved here four months ago, the kitchen units were fine but the hob and oven were in poor shape. One of my neighbours was due to have her kitchen renovated. She passed on to me the perfectly okay ceramic hob, fitted oven and fridge freezer, and wouldn't take a penny for them. What a kind lady! I gave her a gift voucher which she can use for lunch or afternoon teas at a rather nice hotel, to say thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd another example of her reaping what she sowed
DeleteA perfect stranger gave me a posy of flowers very recently. I loved them, and was (and am) very grateful.
ReplyDeleteTell me more I am intrigued
DeleteA random act of kindness when I was on my way to do a shift at Lifeline. I was incredibly chuffed and blogged about it.
DeleteGive us the link so we all can read it
DeleteA simple kindness extended to me this morning . . .
ReplyDeleteOff early for my physical therapy time . . .
Raining in buckets . . .
A gentleman hurried from his vehicle to open the door for me . . .
and as he hurried, a frail little lass in the inside reached to hold the door for us both . . . It’s the littliest things . . . they mean so much!
Yes when u are vulnerable it's the smallest of thoughts that's pour oil on the water
DeleteI was at my local market one day and it was peeing down rain. Some old dear was walking over to the newsagents/local bar struggling with what was supposed to be an umbrella but was more like 5 spikes with a ribbon attached. I had inherited about 6 umbrellas from my ex when he just upped sticks and left so think I had maybe 3 in the car. I walked back to my car, grabbed the best one and gave it to her. She dragged me into the bar, gave me a big kiss (well it is France) and bought me coffee. Every time I see her she waves and tells all and sundry about "that nice English lady". A new friend indeed.
ReplyDeleteNo language needed eh?
DeleteI've had a few sympathy shags in the distant past, other than that I cannot think of altruistic gestures worth mentioning.
ReplyDeleteMine wasn't a sympathy shag, it was pure lust
DeleteJohn you get wonderful comments. I love reading them xx
ReplyDeleteYes I have a feeling most of us needed reading them today
DeleteSo much kindness has come my way recently, too much to list, but I have been extremely grateful and touched by it all. My husband has been critically ill and in hospital for a long time.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with you susan xx
DeleteThanks John xx
DeleteThese comments about kindnesses brought tears to my eyes, and I love the sketches of your dogs and cat, John. One kindness happened to me last week when I was standing in line with my oldest son to buy two tickets to a singing and dancing show. A lady came up and said "here are two free tickets." What a nice treat. Earlier this year blogger Flowerlady Lorraine made me a surprise gift, an afghan lap rug in the favorite colors of my husband and I. Just two examples that came to mind.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I am taking the cutbpiece of envelope to the pictur framers and am getting it framed
DeleteOurs was a collective effort. They were 2 brothers buying their Mom flowers for her birthday at the grocery store and they did not have enough money. The 3 of us who were in line behind them chipped for the flowers and a card. The store chipped in cake and candles and a 25 gift certificate.
ReplyDeleteIf you could have seen their faces when they realized they didn't have enough money and then how thrilled and grateful they were with the cake and flowers. It made my day and everyone else who helped out. Not many dry eyes after they left the store.
That made me tear up
DeleteThat's lovely!
DeleteIf you live in Canada it was Metro which is a large chain. The staff were amazing.
DeleteMy latest is very mundane, but meant a great deal to me. My husband is away for three days and friends thoughtfully invited me to dinner last evening. I'm not used to being alone, and I'd not bothered to cook properly the evening before, so a good meal, in excellent company was most appreciated.
ReplyDeleteReading the comments reminded me that when my son was a baby we travelled to England to see his grandmother who had metastasised breast cancer. We spent almost two months, then finally had to catch the train from Wigan to Banbury. I had quite a lot of baggage with me. When I got on the train it was full. An older man with a dog collar looked at me with disgust, because my son was crying. Then a young man who had dyed black hair, multiple face piercings and tattoos on his arms jumped up and helped me move my bags and to settle me in what had been his seat.
ReplyDeleteI was so very grateful because it is a long journey.
Helen
And they say you can't judge a book by its cover don't they!
DeleteThe two young (middle-aged, probably) gal’s across the street have gone out of the way to offer me assistance if I need anything. I’ve always been the one to offer to assist others, so feels strange to be viewed as one who might need help as I continue committed to aging/living, actually thriving in place. I am most appreciative and is comforting to know I could call on them with my having no family or close friends nearby. We exchange little holiday goodies.
ReplyDeleteOne of your regular followers here, sent me a sweet note on day .. a while back. I didn't keep up with a correspondence but it was a sweet gesture from a stranger ..
ReplyDeleteLove or hate, Most sensible people choose love. as you should! This blog reminds me love wins every time!
ReplyDeleteTears here. Kindness so often moves me to such leakage. And there are some wonderful examples featured today.
ReplyDeleteI have been a member of a group of quilters for over 30 years. We have helped marry, bury, and move some of our members or their family members. When I retired after 30 years of teaching, this marvelous group of friends gifted me with a handmade quilt! I just cried because it was overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteDear John, I assure you Andrew is a sweetie, he just sounds mean horrible miserable and bitchy. You'll have made him cry and that's my job.
ReplyDeleteOf that I have no doubt, I think he makes himself out to be a little " harder" than he is
DeleteAs I am just five weeks out from my second brain surgery in two years, I have recently been the recipient of many kindnesses, most often from people I didn't expect to get involved. One that stands out to me, however, was offered by my recovery room nurse. My surgery occurred in a 2,264-bed hospital, so you can imagine the noise, lights and busyness of the big recovery rooms. Because I was doing so well and neuro ICU rooms were in such short supply, I was kept in recovery for about eight hours before I made it to the neuro ICU that evening. My head, of course, felt as if every sound and bit of light was bouncing back and forth inside my skull. I wasn't allowed to have the curtains closed so nurses could keep an eye on me. I don't usually have sensory processing problems, but I certainly was that day, sending my blood pressure higher, and one nurse just wanted to keep giving me pain medications that I didn't feel I needed. My second nurse that day brought over a warm towel and draped it over my head and just over my eyes. She said she had learned that just a light covering over the eyes helped patients feel calmer. She was right. I looked stupid, I'm sure, but I and one other woman kept in recovery for hours, too, were the only patients awake enough to notice. At 68, I'm kind of over worrying about such things.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't think that looked stupid, wise rather. A towel or light pillow over the eyes is very calming and restful; spas know to do that and you look cosseted and well taken care of--elegant.
DeleteI hope your recovery continues apace.
I always put a (cold) cloth over my eyes to help me sleep or calm down.
DeleteGood wishes for your recovery,