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Random Acts of Kindness

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Jun. ~ Aug.: Random Acts of Kindness users admin

Author Message
Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm certainly not considered an optimist by those who know me--actually I think there are optimists and realists. I do want good things to happen though--especially when someone does something good for or to someone else. I know it happens a lot with this group--the gift exchange the past two years, the various charities many are involved in, and others I'm sure we never hear about.

I'd like to provide a place where we can post about something nice done for them, something nice you've done, or something nice you saw someone do (you may or may not know the nice person).

In my case, I know the nice person--on the board, she is Lottaluv. In RL she is my new wife. (ok, it's not as if I had an old wife)

Lotta owns her house--the one she used to live in up until the time we got married and we needed a bigger one for the 4 of us. Because it is a house from a family member, she is allowed to sell it only to someone within her family--so she couldn’t sell it to gain equity for our house. She owns it outright--completely paid off.

Her sister lives next door (it's a duplex type set up) and hadn't indicated for sure she wanted to buy it or not. So Lotta was going to get the place ready to rent so she could make a little money--or at least have the utilities paid for plus a little extra.

Well, she's not been too motivated to get it all taken care of--but I'm not about to push her because it's her place and hers to do with as she sees fit.

Well, a couple months ago, it seems our babysitter who is living with her dad is getting beat up by her dad--and he decides to kick her out as well as beat her up. She is an 18 year old in her last year of high school. (our babysitter--not Lotta) So, Lotta allows her to move in for no rent, and asks that she just pay part of the electric bill.

Nice gesture on her part, I'm thinking to myself--and tell her so. It really helped the girl out a ton--got her away from an abusive father, and got her off the streets since he was kicking her out of the house.

Just recently, one of her oldest daughter's friends (a 10 year old girl) finds out their family is getting kicked out of their apartment here in town because it is being torn down. At first Lotta's daughter said they found a place to stay. Seemed tough though--her mom only works 5 hours a day (for 3 to 5 days) at a local hotel.

They are extremely low income family, and there isn't that much low income housing in our area. Last night Lotta found out that as of the end of this month, they do not have a place to stay--so Lotta calls up the family to meet them at the house.

It also seems that the babysitter has a friend who will let her move in--so the house is available. The pastor of the family offered to help pay the deposit. So they meet--the place needs some work, but the family doesn't want to be out on the streets (the mom has 3 girls), so they strike a deal so they can live there while Joelle works to get the place in tip top shape.

The mom can afford 500 a month--but that wipes her out. So Lotta says she wants 400 so they have some money left over--mind you that Lotta has a 2 bedroom house with a 1/2 finished basement and full yard. She could get a lot more for it without blinking an eye.

So, she has taken something of monetary value and been able to help out 2 different people (actually 1 person and a family of 4) in a huge way.

I am very proud of my wife for giving up money in return for making such an impact on people. It is said that one way to tell the character of a person is to see how they treat someone who can do nothing for them. In these two cases, Lotta has provided what I consider random acts of kindness in a big way.

I want to thank my wife for helping out people who are not able to fend for themselves completely at this point in their lives.


Zachsmom
Moderator

07-13-2000

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 3:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a wonderful wife you have Lance! WOW!

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You married yourself a very generous gem, Lance.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 4:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah Lotta. Its wonderful.

I know my son lets his girlfriend stay over here, her dad, and his mom(her gmother) can be abusive (mostly verbal)due to the icky divorce, but he's supposed to be paying for her college, and he hasnt, it got ugly over break, and his girlfriend showed up... In a way to show her appreciation she helped ds clean his room!! *grin!

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 5:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lance and LottaLuv:

What a very sweet post Lance. Lottaluv, your act of kindness really will make a huge difference in many lives.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 7:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a lovely wife you have!!! And congratulations! I didn't know you had gotten married. I'm so behind on things.





Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 7:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
WOW. I am in awe. Lance, you are one lucky man, and I am sure most of your joy comes from just knowing that your wife is so amazing a person.

Great thread to start, hard first example to follow!! Lottaluv, you are spectacular.

I would love to hear people's stories, and hope this thread takes off.

While it's no helping a family of four...about a month ago, an older lady (65 - 75?) got on the first bus I was on, and she was crying and had heavy packages, and apparently needed to go somewhere, but the drive on the first bus SHE was on forgot to tell her to get off at the right stop. So she was lost in the city. Anyways, no mater what, she wouldn't stop crying and lamenting about the last bus taking her so far away.

Anyways, I helped her carry her grocery bags off the first bus, and also carried them onto the second bus that we were both taking. Then on the second bus I sat and talked to her, and told her everything was OK ,and that she was on her way home now, and that's what counts. I felt so bad, as she was SOOOO distraught. So she calmed down, and stopped crying which was what counted. I tried to end her trip with a more positive experience.

It's nowhere near as great as Lottaluv's deed, but I figured I'd get the ball rolling.

(I ordered my bank cheques last year to say "Practice Random Acts Of Kindness" on them.)

Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 9:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reader and Eeyore--thanks for sharing the random acts of kindness that were in your lives. I think the two you shared were big--because big is determined not by money, or by anything like that. Big is determined by how the other person was affected.

The seemingly smallest efforts may be huge to the peron being helped. Eeyore, I'm betting that lady you helped will never forget what you did. Reader, I bet your son's gf felt a huge weight off her shoulders be getting to remove herself from a living situation that was really bad for her.

Success breeds success. I think the greatest way to pay back an act of kindness is to give one in return when the person is in a place in life such that they can give themselves.

Remember that at any moment, kindness can mean the world to someone.

Hippyt
Member

06-15-2001

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 9:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm looking forward to meeting you and your wife.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 4:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lance, your post about your wife's kindness and huge heart tells me everything I need to know about her - and from what I know of you, you are two peas in a pod. I can't wait to see the two of you in Dallas and meet the famous Miss Lottaluv who has made you so happy.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 5:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
- Norman MacFinan

I can see Lottaluv is making a beautiful life. It's easy to see why your two hearts were drawn together, Lance. I have a story to share later, when I have more time.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 5:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yesterday I got a big paycheck! (and I was thinking, is this more gratitude, because I dont know if its "randonm" *g)

A 4th grade boy who is having difficulties "fitting in" (he has learning disabilities, and I think ADD, etc) He had a really bad day about a month ago, I did what comes naturally and gave the class a "mini" lesson on "who can you control" and that they are a "class" committed together, like a "family". etc. The boy was crying when I came in, by the end of the 'discussion' he was visably relaxed. It confirmed for me I need to be a teacher, I have a "gift' for teaching...

Yesterday while sitting with another teacher before school, this 4th grade boy, saw me, ran up to me and gave me a huge hug!!

Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 9:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak, I look forward to your story! I also agree 100% with the quote in your post.

Reader, having met you, I agree that you have a gift for teaching--and I don't just mean reading and math.

Sometimes a hug can be a very giving gift of kindness. It sounds like you had a huge impact on his bad day. :-)

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Such a nice thread about nice people!! Thanks for getting it started, Lance! Can't wait to meet Lotta next month!





Jeep
Member

10-17-2001

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 9:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a lovely story, Lance! And what a gal! I hope when this wreched divorce of mine is final and I'm back to myself, I will be able to find a kind and caring person, too, to share my life with.

I don't have any stories that can even match yours, but I have been shown many acts of kindness during these trying times of mine. A well timed hug, unexpected gifts or just an ear to hear me whine or cry has meant the world to me. I will not forget them and will pass them on to someone else once I start to recover. I am actually looking forward to that day now.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 4:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A WWII veteran in the small city of Bangor, Maine, had heard stories from Vietnam vets recounting the way many of them were received when they returned home. It bothered him to know that so many of them were not welcomed back with pride and thanks, but often quite the opposite.

When the Gulf War started, this veteran plus a few of his friends got together to discuss what they could do to make sure our returning troops were properly greeted and thanked.

Bangor has an international airport and is the first stop for many troops returning to the states. The soldiers deplane to go through customs, spend a short time in the airport, then reboard the plane and continue to their home base. These veterans made a commitment to greet as many of these troops as possible. As word got out, more and more people joined them. My youngest dd was one of the many school classes who took a field trip to greet the troops. Sometimes a high school band would show up to play for them. People took home-baked goodies, gifts and souvenirs. This was a huge surprise to the troops, who weren't expecting anything at this brief stop! Sometimes the flights came in at 2 a.m. There was still a small crowd there to greet them. They also met and thanked troops flying out of Bangor, heading to war.

When our troops were sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, this veteran and his friends started their troop greetings again. Since the increased security following 9/11, it wasn't known if the airport would be able to alert the group when the flights would be arriving. They have been able to do so, but without much advance notice. Even on very short notice, the troop greeters are there, waving flags, welcoming, shaking hands, hugging and thanking our troops. They have acquired donations of baked goods from Sam's Club and phone cards from US Cellular so the troops can call home from the airport.

The elderly veteran who organized this, Bill Knight, was honored by the Bangor Chamber of Commerce this week. The news said he seemed humbled when they read 3 of the hundreds of thank you letters from soldiers. The news reported that he seemed embarrassed by the recognition and just wanted to thank the airport and everyone who helps to make this all possible.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 5:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you for sharing this story, Mak. It fills me with admiration for this gentleman who has made such a difference for so many of our troops. If anyone has ever seen any news footage of these greetings and send-offs, you would know how much it is appreciated by those men and women who serve. It never fails to bring a tear to my eye.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Me too, Vee. I don't know if it really meets the description "random" act of kindness, but it certainly is a good deed that is greatly appreciated by so many.

Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 8:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak1, thanks for sharing that story with us! I consider that a random act of kindness. Someone saw a situation where they could make a difference in someone's life--in his case, many lives.

Being a vet myself, I am especially warmed by that story. I was in the Army during Viet Nam. I didn't go there into battle though--although did know many closely who did.

Those who do such acts don't do it to be recognized themselves--they do it because they want to make someone's life a little better.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 8:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak, I love that story and it is similar to something I saw on TV about people in Dallas, usually they have sons in the service, but they make sure they meet every plane that comes into DFW with miliatry men and women returning and give them a big greeting.. they also have some area set up for them to hang out if they are waiting for a plane.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Monday, January 24, 2005 - 4:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I feel the way many of you do. So many acts of kindness for us and I wish I could repay all of them!!
There is no way to pay back the angels in our lives.



Karen
Member

09-07-2004

Monday, January 24, 2005 - 4:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think the only way to repay the angels we encounter in our lives is to try to become an angel for someone else.

btw, my mother's maiden name is Angell, so by default, I'm already halfway there!!

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 4:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
On the Clark Howard show that aired (in the Milwaukee market) today,he said that people should stop using their capital one credit cards.

You should pay off your balance and discontinue using the card.

Reason? Capital one doesn't report credit limits to the credit bureaus. Somehow this can deflate your credit score.

No hassles? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 6:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This is a sad story but shows the kindness of strangers in a tragic situation.

A few weeks ago, my hubby and his two buddies were traveling to an out-of-town sporting event. They came upon an accident that had just occurred on the interstate. A couple other vehicles had stopped already, and people were out of those vehicles to offer assistance. DH and his friends decided to stop as well. It was a bitterly cold and windy day.

When they got out of the vehicle, they looked down over the slope to where a car was on its side. The driver was up on the interstate, screaming and calling for help. DH and friends noticed the bottom half of a person was sticking out of the car window, with the car on top of them. They ran down the snowy slope with plans to push the car off the person.

The car was leaning against a tree, so they weren't able to move it. Helplessly, they saw the life leave this teenaged girl. A woman appeared with a blanket, covered the girl's body and said that she was going to just sit there with her until rescue personnel arrived. DH used his cell phone to call the state police. The trooper he spoke with was already talking to another person who was on the scene, in another area, so he took location info from both of them.

At this point, a man who had been trying to help restrain the driver (for her safety, because she was running wildly about on an interstate highway) called down to ask about "the other one". DH and friends looked again in the car and said there was nobody else there. The man said the driver told them there were two girls.

I won't describe what DH and friends saw on the other side of the car. I'll just say the other teenaged girl had been ejected from the vehicle and was also dead. Someone else covered her body with a blanket.

DH's friend silently took out his leatherman and began cutting brush, to make it quicker and easier for the body to be reached when the emergency personnel arrived. DH and his other friend helped.

People stayed to comfort the driver and someone let her use their phone. (I can't imagine receiving that call.)

As sad as this is, it gives me a bit of comfort to remember how many caring people there are in the world.

As a sidenote, the cause of the accident was speed and driver inattention. DH, his friends, and the troopers all came to the same conclusion that there would probably have been no loss of life if the girls had been wearing seatbelts. :-(


Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A little kindness from person to person is better than a vast love for all humankind.
- Richard Dehmel


A neat website: actsofkindness.org

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
mak, i'm so sorry that i never saw your post last month and to say what a kind man your husband and the others who helped care for the people involved in that accident. i think random acts of kindness are what shows the true humanity of all of us.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
thank you, landi, and i agree.

Stcroix
Member

03-18-2005

Friday, May 20, 2005 - 6:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Eeyoreslament--

I just found this discussion and what you did really touched me!! I'm only in my 50's still, but I have a TERRIBLE sense of direction and always have a fear of getting lost somewhere. I had to take my elderly father over to a Houston hospital for 2 weeks and stay in a nearby hotel and was so stressed out that I'd get on the wrong tram to get to the hospital, or get mixed up and lost inside the hospital (it was huge). To think that someone would come to my "rescue" like you did that elderly lady would be a true act of kindness! I know she must have been terrified--- I'm sure after she got safely home that she thanked God for guiding you to her.

Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Friday, May 20, 2005 - 8:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What I like about the stories are how at any time most anything done can mean something special to someone. You just never know--and you may never know the impact you had on someone.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not sure this fits here, but best here than elsewhere and better than a new thread..

One of my favorite organizations to support is
STARCROSS a monastic group in Northern California. Their acts of kindness on at least three continents are legion and can be seen by poking around their website, but I was touched by the reaching out done by the children (all adopted) there, when they found out that musicians in Cuba were unable to obtain proper strings for their violins, violas, cellos and other such instruments.

This was the email I got this morning from Brother Toby:


quote:


Dear Friends,

Every season has its rhythm. This summer, you and others on our e-list will receive a number of short pieces focusing on people. Julie and Holly are off to South Africa soon. They have a full agenda, but one item is to better share the stories of the kids in our homes there. Today I want to say something about the “String Project”. Every time we mention it several people ask to be removed from our mailing list because it involves kids in Cuba. But here goes......

Music is a big part of the lives of our children at Starcross. David is our violinist. Holly plays the viola (and will be singing the National Anthem at a rodeo in Idaho today before she rides a steer – at least I hope it is before!) And Andrew played drums and electric guitar for a while, and is never without his iPod.

So when they heard that, because of the US embargo, string students have no strings, they were interested. Then, when they found out the kids were using junk telephone wire they really got into it. The telephone wire cuts the student’s fingers so that they sometimes bleed when they practice.

Our kids, with Marti and Julie’s help, contacted musicians and orchestras for replacement strings. Then a generous manufacturer started sending strings and rosin. Hundreds of strings have been delivered to Cuba in a variety of ways; friends going on study trips, a Canadian band, inside pianos etc. The strings go to the national music center in Havana and are distributed.

It is a small project. They are only strings after all. So you can imagine everyone’s surprise when seven pages arrived detailing where every single string had been used! Every one! Talk about accountability. I think this also shows how much the Cubans value music and those who are willing to help with this part of their culture. I have the list before me and it is amazing. The strings are all over Cuba. “ 6 E strings to students in Santiago”, Etc., Etc.

Things are pretty busy at Starcross. The olive fields are taking a lot of attention. We are trying to take advantage of the good weather to get things done. As I write everyone here is mounted on tractors and mowers. Marti, with the help of several friends, is organizing our wreath and dried fruit sales program. You will hear from her soon. We are hoping to have a good turn out for the August 5-7 HAIKU AND HOUSE PAINTING event. The scaffolding is up and volunteers are doing the preparatory work on the 102 year-old farm house. We don’t know if we will ever have enough money to restore it but at least we can make it look better. If you want to come, or know more, contact Julie at sj@starcross.org.

In God’s peace,

Toby




I wish I could do more for this group, but cannot afford to sponsor one of the children orphaned by AIDS in Africa. I do make gifts of their wreaths at Christmastime when possible.

Anyway, this made me smile this morning.




Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 9:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I visited their website. They're very interesting!



Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 9:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
They are lovely people.. not sure website design is their forte, but you can get a feel, anyway.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 5:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
As I was looking over the website, it reminded me of a local Shaker community near me. Sure enough, Shakers are mentioned a number of times in a positive light in the Haiku section. Thanks for sharing, Sea.