Kindness of strangers

[stilldeb]

Couple of things -

On our honeymoon waaaaaaaaaay back in 1974...we were on our way home from Indiana to St. Petersburg, FL in our VW camper on Monteagle in TN (on old 41 - before the interstate went over). Our engine blew (first of several). It was early November, cold, and we were stuck in the dark by the side of the road and we were EIGHTEEN. (been married 37 yrs now - 3 kids, 2 grandkids)

Anyway, this guy stops, driving a Chevy Nova (they were bigger then) and, no kidding, his name is Tommy Tune - not the Broadway one - and he is a traveling salesman for a volcanic ash products company...I could never make this up. Long story, but what happened was he actually went to a truck stop on top of the mountain and got somebody to put a HITCH on the back of his car, and towed us for over 400 miles and made sure we were safely in a hotel and had contacted family to come and get us for the rest of the way, and wouldn't take a dime.

Then one time...I had two babies, they were very close in age, one in a front pack and one in a back pack, and two carts of groceries (I was a lot tougher back then). Was on my way out to the car and one of the carts starts moving on its own. I turn around and this man is pushing it and says, "where are we going?". So I pointed to my car, and he pushed the cart to my car and helped me unload my groceries, and when I turned to thank him, he was gone. I mean he was really gone...nowhere in the parking lot...gone. I always say he was my 'angel'.

 

[Fierlin1182]

What inspiring stories. I love the second one.

 

[violetsky]

Just today while shopping in Home Depot a lady walked up to two soldiers
and shook their hands and thanked them for all they do for us. The two soldiers
looked very happy and graciously thanked her.

I think there is good and bad all
around us, I'm all for focusing on the good things people do. The media just can't
seem pointing the lime light at all the sensational and horrific things going on it give
the impression bad is norm. I think most people want to be good and generally are.

 

[Fierlin1182]

I agree completely! I think there's more good going on than the rest of the world wants to let on... if you know where to look.

 

[yomama]

Don't know how I've missed this thread for so long. My husband co owns his own window company, doing installs, repairs, etc. Well, his company was asked to participate in ABC's Extreme Home Makeover, back in October of 2010. (if you happen to watch it, it is the one that they re-did part of the school for the Oregon School for the Deaf) Anyway, my husband and his buddies had a great time, said they wish they could do it all the time. When you get to work on the jobs for that show, you get the official blue tshirt, the ones you see all the actual workers wearing, not the stars. Well, they got done with the job and were heading back to their office, when they decided to stop at a local restaurant and have dinner. All 5 guys walk in wearing their blue Home Makeover shirts, so needless to say, they got lots of looks. My husband told me that there was this rough looking biker guy there, eating, and said hi as they passed each other. When my husband went up to pay the bill for their dinner, apparently that tough biker guy had already paid for it. Just seeing them wearing the shirts, was enough for that man to know that they had just done something good, and was apparently touched by it. That in turned really touched my husband as well.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

I love these stories - and no, sometimes you just can't make it up

I like to believe in the inherent good in people, and I really hate that the news outlets focus on the bad stuff because it's what sells. I believe that there are far more random acts of kindness than random acts of violence. Sadly, we typically only hear about the latter, not the former. That's why this thread is so great. Thanks, Ray, for starting it!

 

[teach1rusl]

I get teary-eyed every time I stop by this post for updates...it's very uplifting.

 

[Henny peeny]

there is a rumor that goes around I first heard this a long time ago it goes like this.

I military man ( be it veitnam or korea or any of the wars we have been in late) he is in a taxi the military man (could be a female to have not heard it being a female yet) gets in the taxi and he said he is home after being in ......... and the taxi cab driver says SO WHAT.

I find this offensive even if it is not true this rumor inbrages me. It is lie when the nam war was and the protesters I don't see why the militarty is fighting for the right we have and the protecting of us and if it was not for OUR MILITARY we would be like so manyt that has been bombed yes we had a sucker punch but it woke us up maybe the goverment thought we were amune but we are not and through this rumor I relized how our militarty get the short end of the fuzzy stick. I thank all I come across I tell them I hope they come back soon and safe and tell them to be safe I ask of they wear anything like the cops a bullet proof and yes they do I remind them to ALWAYS WEAR IT.

And if given a chance if I saw anyone one disgracing them I would be the first to be in a fight be it verbal or fist cuffs. I was on a military chat AOL had long ago and I got somereal education there I was never against the military but I learned more of what they do. I have a friend that was in the korean conflict and he will not talk iof it he was a POW and he can not talk of it. I never push it but I can't imgine what he went through or anyof them that was captured my life has been bad in younger yets but nothing compares to the military and what they deal, with/ ONE DAY sit day with a military a vetren or anyof them and let them tell you about what they went through. It will horrify you I have not doubt.

I have not been able to pay for anything for a military mamber but I think before my life is done I will have the chance.

Rhayden

 

[Fierlin1182]

Some bus drivers are really nice. Twice in the past couple of days, we've emerged onto a main road just to see a bus rapidly approaching. We'll panic, wave and then sprint for the closest stop knowing there's no way we can make it, but the drivers have been nice and stopped to wait for us anyway.

 

[Beekissed]

This, as ever, has been a most delightful thread! Thank you for creating and for those participating in it....I simply LOVE the stories!