Kindness of strangers

[BusyBlonde]

I've been fortunate to pay it forward a few times. One of my favorites was when one of my pool managers (I worked for a pool management company) asked if I'd be a reference for her as an RA for her dorm in college. She was a wonderful young lady, took her responsibilities very seriously and did a fantastic job. She made my job as her area manager VERY easy when I dealt with their HOA pool committee.

When I received the form to fill out, it left very little room to explain why I thought she'd be a great candidate for the job. I wrote a heart-felt letter to the person taking the applications in addition to filling out the form. When she came back this summer to work at that same pool, she told everyone in the manager's meeting that if they needed a recommendation, ask me to write one (IF they did a great job) - she got the job as an RA because of the letter I wrote, and got a full ride for college for this school year!

I always try to go out of my way to help others, but that is one case where I KNOW what I did made a difference.

 

[Fierlin1182]

How great! I would love it if someone did that for me.

I'm aiming to get a better job right now. Resume writing is not going well.

 

[BWKatz]

The more u pay it forward the easier it gets.Just a new name for something that has been around for thousands of years. Many people are having difficulty paying for meds, it's always nice to be able to tell the cashier to add the difference to my bill wihile they are busy digging for moneythey hadn't expected to have to pay. With the "donut" in Medicare they never know when they are going to be responsible for paying the full amount. Nursing homes are full of people with no family or friends. Just ask the nurses who needs someone and what can u do. Abag of candy store the other day with my broken foot in a cast. The young lady doing a display at the front not only went to the back to get my chicken feed but brought it right to the cashier and on out to my truck. By the time I paid and got out there, she was gone and no where to be seen.

 

[kareninthesun]

He saved my life. Literally. I was 12, crossing (legally) a street and was hit by a car driven by an 87 year old lady whom snuck the car keys. Because she couldn't see, she drove slow. An old mercury car with the mercury figurehead, when she hit me (and didn't know it), I was first impailed on the figurehead, breaking a rib, then slid down to my stomach, with my elbows down. She was driving so slow that the car couldn't drive OVER me, but I was caught between the tire and road. End of summer, nearly 100 degree heat. I was in shorts and tank top. A young man working at the gas station saw what was going on, and was able to run to the car, open the door and shove the driver aside. Put on the brakes. Turned off the car. Stayed with me until the ambulance came. I never knew his name...many years later I tried looking him up, archived the local newspaper, police reports, gas station, but too many years had gone by. And I never said thank you...and it still bothers me....

 

[Fierlin1182]

Wow, that is an astounding story! What an incident. I'm glad someone was there to help you.

 

[Marcymom3]

My son is a PE teacher and coach at a local high school. This year he is sponsoring a club called "The Difference Makers". All the members wear orange shoelaces. The purpose of the group is to help others through. In a nutshell, I believe my son is providing character education to his students. They are the ones teachers can count on if they need something done. They are also "safe" upperclassmen who provide advice to younger students. They step in wherever someone is struggling whether it be a heavy carton or a brewing altercation. They are approachable, nonbully types who can teach the younger kids the ropes; answering questions like, "I've never been to a football game, what should I wear?" and "Who should I talk to about my Iphone being stolen?"

They meet every other Tuesday and out of a 1200 student body there are over 100 members already. They're doing a canned food drive for Thanksgiving and will be doing a Toys for Tots dance for students and their families next month. The teachers LOVE it and yesterday the Assistant Principal had her orange shoelace tied around her ankle because she was wearing a suit and heels.

 

[Beekissed]

God bless your son for being a REAL teacher....what he is teaching them now could affect their lives forever. Not to mention the lives of those they touch with this great attitude.

 

[Chuckles1330]

I'm a firm believer in Karma or what goes around comes around, or the golden rule - whatever you want to call it. One of the funniest instances I've had of the kindness of strangers was when I was right out of college and in NY city for job interviews. Except for layovers in various NY airports, this was my first time in the city. One of the interviews was in NJ. Took a bus from the Port Authority, then proceed to get off at the wrong place. I'm miles from the interview, in suit, stockings and heels, and this was before cell phones were everywhere (20+years) - I have no real idea of where I am - walk into a restaurant where there are two guys right out of Good Fellas having coffee. One of them offers me a ride to the interview. I'm no naive innocent, but I didn't get a bad feeling from the guy so I said yes. He spent the entire drive lecturing me on how I never should get into a car with a stranger

When he dropped me at the interview he gave me his phone number and then offerred me cab fare back to the city - he didn't want to risk me ending up in the same situation again!

I realize I was very lucky that day, but can't help but chuckle when I think about the lecture I got with that ride

 

[Fierlin1182]

That's funny! Sounds like a great guy. A stranger with kind intentions can do wonders

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
Thank you! There are lots like him out there, unfortunately they do not make the news.