Acts of Kindness

How about a thread for acts of kindness. They can be kindness you received or kindness you have given others. They can be small like opening a door for someone or large where you put yourself in danger to help another person. I will start off with something I receive from others.

I joined the Naval Reserve back during the Korean war. I was trained as a Radarman aboard a DE (Destroyer Escort) ship. I was in for eight years. Now I wear a ball cap that says US Navy Veteran. When I go to the grocery or anywhere in public someone will see my ball cap and stop me to shake hands and say: "thank you for your service." It brings a smile to my face. Sometimes they were also military and we talk about our experiences. It is nice and I enjoy meeting them.

Thank you for your service first of all.
I try to do acts of kindness daily outside in the world when I'm out and whenever an opportunity presents itself. I also try and do acts of kindness for myself. And for my friends in all kinds of ways. It just creates community, can give people a smile or a good feeling at times and I have been on the receiving end even just in the past few days and am always grateful and pleased by the connections even if for a moment. Thanks for the thread.

Lekatt, great thread. My dad also served in Korea. He was in the army for 28 years. Earned the bronze star for merit for his service in Korea. He went through officer's training school, wound up in Ordinance. Lost a lot of his hearing by being around the big guns. They didn't use hearing protection in those days. Thank you for your service there.
I was at the grocery store on Wednesday. Only one cashier was open. A lady got in line with very few items. I let her go in front of me. We chatted a bit. She is a vet. Served many years in the navy so I thanked her for her service.

Thanks for the posts, they were great.

I was waiting in line at a local cafe and offered a mother-with-baby my spot. She didn't take it, but whatever.

The kindness was in the offer. You did good.

I was filling my car with gas when a car pulled up at te pump behind me. A young lady got out of the car and looked in my direction. It was like she was studying me, then she took a few steps in my direction and stopped. She wanted to talk to me, but was shy and seemed embarrassed. It dawned on me that she wanted something, probably money for gas. I stepped up to her and asked: "mam do you need money for gas." She shook her head up and down indicating yes. I handed her a $20. She looked at the money, then at me, then she grabbed me and I go the biggest hug ever.

After my mom's funeral, my aunt sent me a handwritten letter, first telling me how much my mom loved me. And how much she loved me. Then she reminded me of seeing a gentle moment between my mom and I as I trimmed her nails. I had forgotten, but now I have that memory, plus the memory of the love of my aunt.

The same aunt, after my wife's funeral, brought two trays of kolaches, my favorite pastries. One was for the dessert table at the traditional potluck meal. The other was just for me. The memory of that act of kindness still nourishes my spirit...........

peace

I recently had an act of kindness done for me. I was waiting in the drive thru for an iced coffee. When I went to pay, the worker said the person in front of me paid for my drink. I've never had that before so I felt first bewildered, then grateful when I was in an anxious mood it made me feel good.

I know my auto mechanic, he's been good for years to go to. He once didn't charge me for storing my tires. I had brought them coffee and donuts and he said that was nice of me. He was tired when I recently went there and I remembered he said that changing tires was the hardest job because of lifting them and then storing them upstairs, so I did something my mom used to do, I hid some money so he had a good tip, a lady beside me was new to the business and I praised them as very good at their job and that they charged less, she said that's good to know and she seemed more happy. I found it interesting that it happened on the same day, and it made me feel like being generous myself, which makes me feel better to hopefully have been of good use.

I don't know history of war, but I also thank you for your service.

Thank you for you service @Lekatt and that thanks to your dad for his service @SillyOldBear

Recently I've been thinking about how common decency is itself an act of kindness and something to be grateful for.

Like someone making my submarine sandwich or ringing up my groceries. Just not being rude or malicious as you can get away with is something to be grateful for, and while it's easy to take for granted, it's something I think should be appreciated.

I'm also very happy to see the abundant kindness here on SF

Kindness is hard to give away because it just keeps coming back to you. I have given gas money to more than one person. Then one day after I filled my tank and went inside to pay it happened. A man, complete stranger, walked up beside me at the counter and said: "I am going to pay for his gas." Indicating he meant me. I asked if he was sure he wanted to do this and he shook his head and paid for my gas. You could have knocked me down with a feather. Total surprise. Love