We’ve asked for your stories regarding what you believe have been acts of kindness in your life. Here are some of those stories.
If you want to tell us of your encounter with a random act of kindness, email [email protected]. Include the word “kindness” in the subject field.
Wallet returns, thanks to honest people
On June 14, I lost my wallet while shopping at Mini Price Colwood store, and a customer turned my wallet in to the owner/manager of the store. The manager contacted me and I was able to get my wallet back intact.
Thank you to the customer who turned in my wallet to the store manager and to the manager for contacting me to pick my wallet up. This honesty of the customer and store owner in returning the wallet intact saved me a lot of paperwork and worry to replace all the ID, etc. in the wallet.
Gordon Greenhow
Small act, huge impact
While at the Swap ’n Shop at Western Speedway on June 12, the seven-year-old I was with asked the concession stand for some water. When I found out it was going to cost me $3, I told her we would go home and get water.
Not more than a few minutes later, a nice young man found us and gave us a bottle of the $3 water from the concession and some kind words. We walked home talking about the nice man and how important it is to be kind to people.
That small act was huge for us that day. Thank you to the nice guy.
Belinda Juckling
Pregnant woman gets speedy help
My daughter was driving down the street and felt the car pull to one side. She found a screw sticking out of her tire.
She drove to Kal Tire on Douglas Street for them to take a look at it. They could fix it, but the car would not be ready until later in the day. That was fine, she told them; her husband would pick the car up after work. She would just get her two-year-old out of the car and they would take the bus home.
My daughter was nine months pregnant, and when the employee realized this pregnant lady also had a two-year-old, he told her to wait one minute. He went into the office, came out and told her he would do it right away. Not only that, he did not charge her.
I have never dealt with Kal Tire before, but I will from now on. Thank you, Kal Tire, for looking after my daughter and grandson.
Patti Blower
‘Thank you’ hardly says enough
In February, I fell and broke my wrist. My son-in-law drove me to the Royal Jubilee Hospital and I’m so glad he did.
At all times I was treated with kindness, dignity and smiling faces.
From the smiling young man working in emergency admitting who told me he had recently broken his own wrist during a bike accident to the calm, relaxed emergency-room staff dealing with people who were constantly asking how much longer they would have to wait. On to the two patient ladies at the X-ray desk dealing with a large queue and the fellow who did my ECG, who told me about the time he waited in emergency himself for almost nine hours so he knew how it felt.
Lastly, Dr. R. Stephen Burnett was very calm and patient without me feeling he was removed from my predicament. He explained everything thoroughly, asked if I understood it all, asked if I had any questions. Then, before surgery the next day, again repeated the above. All done with a smile.
“Thank you” hardly says it to of all you in and associated with the Royal Jubilee emergency on Feb. 18, but thank you!
Elizabeth Franzen
Special delivery of lost purse
I would like to thank the person who found my little change purse (money intact) and left it in the mailbox. It is wonderful to see the kindness that still exists in the world.
Ms. Cohoon
A gift of life on Good Friday
On Good Friday, for a short period of time, my heart stopped and I died. Thanks to the Cumberland Fire, Search and Rescue, paramedics, my good friends Deborah and Craig, the emergency staff at St. Joe’s hospital Comox, the air ambulance crew, the medical staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital and probably others I do not know of, who saved my life.
I had choked on a piece of steak, and woke up in the hospital four hours later, with eight fractured ribs and severe trauma to my throat. I remember nothing of what happened at the time, except what I was told. To all of these people, I cannot thank you enough.
Doug Prentice
Comox
Mr. Anonymous pays it forward
I was surprised at Colwood Thrifty’s when a tall, good-looking young man paid for my groceries. This has never happened to me before and I am still blushing!
He would only say that his name was “Mr. Anonymous” and he was “paying it forward” because someone did this for him. I would like to thank Mr. Anonymous for making me feel special and putting a lasting smile on my face. And to top it off, he saw me in the parking lot, and waved as he drove by. Hugs to Mr. Anonymous!
Janice Kennedy
Kindness received and kindness given
Two acts in one day and a third later in the week! Then it was my turn.
1. I was at the Shell carwash on Burnside Avenue and I was having trouble getting it to work. I went inside and apologized to the young gentleman who was waiting inside. He said no problem, then asked if I would trust him to wash my car for me; it would be his pleasure. I said no but he insisted and did a beautiful job. As I thanked him, he gave me a big hug. What a thoughtful young man; his name was Tom. Thank you, thank you!
2. I made a trip later that day to Save-on-Foods to buy a few things. There were lineups (I have leg problems and was struggling a little). A very thoughtful young lady said no problem, go ahead of her. It was so appreciated. Thank you, Christa. It was very sweet of you.
3. Two days later, I was waiting at the Anacortes ferry to board, went to start my car and my battery was dead. My heart sank. Moments later, two men (ferry employees) called over to me: “Don’t worry, dear, we will get you started.” I did not get a chance to get their names, but a huge hug and a big thanks.
4. Then I had a chance to do something nice. Four men at Mary’s restaurant in Sidney who (I believe) have been coming from Deep Bay for 20 years for coffee together every morning. It was my pleasure to pay their bill. I’m over 88 years old. How lucky have I been! It’s so nice when a senior is treated so beautifully!
Juanita Nichels
The dividends of teaching
When we attended our granddaughter Ally’s graduation from Braefoot Elementary, we saw such pride on the faces of the grads and their families. Each young person was given the opportunity to stand before the assembly as their accomplishments were praised and their dreams were voiced. A beautiful song of thanks was sung by the graduates, followed by video highlights from a year crammed with wonderful activities.
Many thanks to all our educators for working hard to make a better future by instilling in the next generation a sense of accomplishment and hope for the future. Teaching is not an easy task, but it pays huge dividends.
Flo and Eric Wilson
Victoria
Going out of his way to be kind
I needed new garden chairs and was thrilled to find some plastic Adirondack chairs on sale at Home Depot. I bought four and happily brought them to my car. For half an hour, I tried to find a way to fit them into my car.
A gentleman in a truck who was driving out of the parking lot saw me struggling and asked where I lived. Clearly, it was out of his way, but he said: “Throw them into my truck and I’ll follow you home!” And 20 minutes later the chairs were home. He never gave me his name, declined my offer to reimburse him for his time and left.
To this day, as I sit in my bright green chairs, I think of his kindness.
Kathleen Kirkpatrick
The purse came back, the very next month
Early in March, I was shopping for groceries and felt “out of sorts.” All I could think of was getting home and sitting in my favourite chair.
I got my groceries in and after a rest I roused myself to put them away and missed my purse. I searched everywhere, went back to the grocery store twice and again the next day, but it was nowhere. I cancelled my credit cards, got a new driver’s licence and notified the police.
Recently, a lady called to say she had found my purse while walking her dog. Michelle brought it to me that evening and refused the reward I offered. Her kindness and solicitude moved me to tears! Heaven only knows where my purse has been for over a month. My thanks to whoever had it for keeping it in pristine condition with almost everything intact, and my sincere, heartfelt gratitude to Michelle who found it and returned it to me.
Dorene Krystalowich
In a time of trouble, Victorians rush in
On Thursday afternoon, April 28, I was walking along Wharf Street with my dog Chester and tripped on the sidewalk, stumbled and fell off the curb into the middle of the road between Value Village and Chintz, doing a total face plant into the pavement.
A man named Brian jumped out of his truck to assist me as I was lying there, Valerie from Value Village ran to my side, secured Chester’s leash and stayed comforting me until my sons arrived. Another kind lady got ice, water and napkins for me from the café across the street. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of them, it was a real shakeup, and other than being pretty banged up and having a very colourful face, I am OK.
It warms my heart to know that in times of trouble, the people of Victoria don’t hesitate to stop and help.
My sincere gratitude to you all!
Joanne Green
CPR saves a life
I was heading toward the courthouse on Burdett Avenue on April 29, when I collapsed, and if it were not for a passerby who applied CPR, I would in all likelihood not be alive today.
I do not know who this person was but I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.
I wish to also acknowledge the compassionate and professional assistance of the Victoria Police department and the ambulance service.
I honour the magnificent team at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, which has provided outstanding care and enabled me to move forward based on their ongoing assistance, including monitoring blood work, doing stress tests, working with cardiac physicians, nurses, social workers and other staff members.
I would strongly encourage others to have CPR training or if they have had it already, to get it updated.
Robert Klassen, barrister and solicitor
Victoria
Good Samaritan deserves a hug
I want to send a huge “thank you” and a hug to my Good Samaritan.
On May 4, I took a nasty fall on the sidewalk near my home on Blenkinsop Road. My bag of groceries went flying, my glasses were broken and I had some facial lacerations.
My angel stopped the bleeding and drove me home.
Also, thank you to my neighbour Gwen, who took me to a clinic to get stitched up.
I hope you both see this and know how grateful I am.
Colleen Botting
Strangers in the night were a godsend
On May 10, my husband, Bob, suffered a massive stroke while driving with me on the Pat Bay Highway.
I regained consciousness following the subsequent crash, to find a self-identified nurse at the side of my husband urging him to stay awake, and a self-identified first-responder at my side assuring me that someone had called 911, that ambulances were on the way and that I should not move to prevent spinal cord injury.
I have thought often of all the strangers who stopped to assist us that night. They helped us without regard for their personal safety or for whatever they were planning to be doing that evening.
My husband died on May 23. We had two weeks after the accident when he was able to give and receive love from his large family. I had surgery for a broken neck and will fully recover.
If anyone knows who these helpful strangers were, please let them know that I am deeply grateful.
Nancy Dobbs
Brentwood Bay
