Archive for the Category »By Strangers «
I wanted to leave the Bay Area and go to my family’s home in Lake Tahoe, NV for a few days. I called a neighbor to ask about the snow levels in front of the house and learned that there was a two feet berm of snow and ice blocking the driveway. We never visit the house during the winter and have no snow removal equipment, so I asked another neighbor if I could melt it with hot water and shovel the snow.
To my pleasant surprise, he called back a few hours later, and said he took care of the berm and could come up to the house. When I saw him in front of the house, he said he had shoveled the snow, and I would have made a huge mess if I had used hot water on that berm.
Needless to say, it was indeed a blessing to have his assistance.
Suzanne, Lake Tahoe, USA
Just bought the unsuspecting person behind me in the Starbucks line a Venti on me because I shouldn’t be the only one this lucky.
Let me tell you, I can’t stop smiling about it!
Leigh Caraccioli, Dayton, OH USA
fleur de leigh photography
http://www.fleurdeleighphotography.com
I was in line at McDonalds today and my debit card wasn’t working; a young guy behind me paid for my coffee. Thanks so much 
Joel, Indianapolis, IN USA
Some weeks ago a friend of mine took a train to get to his home. On the train ride he noticed a young woman some meters next to him. Her quiet sobbing made him pay attention on her. No matter that she was on a train and among complete strangers, she “just” had to cry. Obviously someone, or something, made her very sad and tears ran down her face. Meanwhile the train reached the next stop and the destination where my friend get off. However, before he left the train he went to the woman and handed her a tissue and a piece of paper. Even though he had to get off the train, within that moment he tried to comfort her, gave her a feeling she wasn’t alone and let her know it was ok to cry. After he left, the young woman read what was written on the paper “Each tear has its sense.”
Some weeks later, on a typical evening, my friend was having a beer at a bar. However, it turned out that evening would change everything. “Coincidently” he met the young lady from the train again, right there at the bar. It didn’t take much for them both to recognize each other and have now fallen in love.
It turns out she is from America and studying in over here in Germany, so we don’t know where their journey together will lead them. However, we know they met during a wonderful moment of kindness and compassion and not a “little” ocean can change that.
Silke, Munich, Germany
The night before last, I went to the local market to buy milk, two dozen eggs, and whatever else I could afford. I picked out some organic cereal, olive oil, and two cheap meats. I had twenty-eight dollars but the total was twenty-nine-oh-six. I sadly asked the cashier to take out one of the meats. She took my money, took out the meat and was about to close the register, when the neighboring worker called out in Spanish, “Give it to her.”
I was surprised. I was left without words, and stumbled to say no, it’s okay.
He asked how much was needed, and even an old man chipped in with a few cents, who was standing near. The worker said, “You should have a good dinner.” Both cashiers went ahead without really allowing me to protest, and then I said quietly, “God bless you.”
I spoke up a little louder, “I’ll pay you back.” It was a little more than a dollar, but I wanted to cry, especially because I’ve been trying to get donations online to pay off my school loan. I shook the man’s hand before walking out and thanked him while repeating that I would pay him back. When I got home, out of breath, I just wanted to hug someone.
I did and was looked at funny, but I know that all I want is that worker to know how much something so small is really big to someone. I’m going to draw him a thank you card.
wabbly from someone.punked.us
New York, NY USA