[shakespeare47]

Back in the 1990's I was involved w/ a church and having a tough time. I was in my 20's and frequently spoke my mind. I'm sure I came across as rude and abrasive.

As I was preparing to leave the church and go to another, the pastor's wife made some comments defending me, and was very kind and considerate, and basically told me I reminded her of her husband. She also commented that "those who live by the sword, die by the sword". I took it to mean she thought I had some good qualities, but sometimes my actions caused others to react negatively to me.

I'll always remember that kind, honest conversation.

[brainy]

Not a ******mit thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[winter4me]

there are many things...sometimes just a smile, a coin for the air hose when I was short, returning my wallet with all the money still in it, offering me a place to stay should I need, the unexpected baby shower a lifetime ago, unexpected, filled with my peers, the administrators, housekeepers, teachers, everyone...and so many beautiful, thoughtful gifts...a free used car.................................voicing confidence in me...whether I could feel it or not...

[Bill3]

When i was about six or seven i brought my treasured basketball to school and it ended up on the roof of the school. When a neighbor boy who was in high school found out about this he immediately went over to my school and retrieved it for me.

I don't know if that is the kindest, but it ranks up there and came to mind now.

[Patagonia]

Great question....will have to think on this....hmmmm

So many to choose from, guess I'm lucky.

One that stands out in my memory is as a young person sitting on a train and someone throwing a brick through the window just above my head. After the shock of the 'near miss' plus having glass in my hair I was suffering from shock.

I still remember the woman, a fellow passenger, who calmly took her brush from her bag and gently brushed the glass from my hair, she was so kind and motherly towards this young stranger. Within a few minutes I had experienced the worst and best of human nature.

[Trippin2.0]

Many things.

But I will try to pick out the best.


Just after my father died, my bf, driving me around and around the mountain from 7pm - 5am (on a week night) to make me sleep because the voices were driving me nuts.


2003, My BIL promising that if I defied my family and kept the baby, he would make sure she has everything she needs. (He's kept his word)


My now deceased eldest brother who in 2002, (without hesitation or judgment) "rescued" me from a night club (that I wasn't even supposed to be at) at 4am, because I am bipolar and borderline and I had a massive mood swing so the club and all my friends suddenly sucked.


My employers, who didn't hesitate to hire me on a 4 day contract so I can have Thursdays off for therapy. Who show genuine concern when I'm struggling and who are super supportive as life has been dishing out some new whammies this year.


My daughter... She's emotionally intelligent and oh so kind. She reads me like a book. That's good because I don't have to have difficult emotional talks or wonder if I'm over sharing.

She just knows when I'm not well and shows me extra kindness during those times, sometimes that just means giving me a few hours of peace and quiet.. (I always try to make it up to her)


My brother and mother.

Who (when my daughter was younger) have routinely stepped up when it seemed as though I was so ill I had checked out.


My bffs, who always know when I need a hug. They let me cry and don't make me feel pressured to talk.

[Delicious]

I remember having my first panic attack in middle school. I just started crying and felt like I was going to die, without knowing why or what was going on. A friend of mine gave me a sugar cube, since she read somewhere that sugar helps. Another just simply stood up and hugged me, without saying a single word, until I calmed down. Sometimes it's the little things that count.

[s4ndm4n2006]

Oh too many to count. I feel I live a blessed life in many ways. NO that does not mean I'm overly prosperous nor is my life always wonderful... but blessed.

In times of worst trouble are the times I've had others come through for me and I credit the God that I believe in for taking care of me, but through people.

The one thing that comes to mind was not that long ago, just a few years ago. During the time following when my ex (separated wife) left my kids (two boys) and I, lived out of state for about 4 yrs, I was left with no place to stay, evicted from two leases, and lost my cars for financial troubles it brought on.

I lived in a hotel room with my two boys for 2 of those years. It was trying but the truth is it was a blessing. the manager there did many things for us, made provision for our situation, helped me find someone to sell me a car and many other things because I was a new single father of two soon-to-be teens. it was a tough time, but that hotel manager was a blessing to us and made it possible to get to where I am today...

My pastor when i was about 16 actually offered to give me a place in their home because he knew my situation. My bfs mom.. let me stay with her when i couldn't handle living at home. The patient people who let me leave a job and return to it. My kids understanding and patience through my worst depression. Some psychiatric nurses were very kind and understanding. A few really patient wise friends right here that helped me for years. Thinking of these things makes me feel good, it's so good to have things to be thankful for.

[HowDoYouFeelMeow?]

When my high school English teacher realized that my parents were abusive/neglectful, but not in a DFS reportable way, she sometimes let me sleep on her couch and took me to the zoo with her preschool-aged son

[amulet]

The kindest words to me at a time when I missed my mom, who had passed away ten years before, was "I'll share mine with you." Made me not so sad.

[amulet]

[QUOTE=Bill3;5318288]When i was about six or seven i brought my treasured basketball to school and it ended up on the roof of the school. When a neighbor boy who was in high school found out about this he immediately went over to my school and retrieved it for me.

I don't know if that is the kindest, but it ranks up there and came to mind now.[/QUOTE
Wonderful deed! Costs nothing but a few minutes and brings good feelings and memories for a lifetime!

[amulet]

Originally Posted by Patagonia

Great question....will have to think on this....hmmmm

Great guote. I must remember it. It's helpful to ward away self
-negativity.

[shakespeare47]

About that same time (mentioned in my OP) I also broke up with a girlfriend, and 2 friends of mine who were recently married tried to get us back together again. When that didn't work, they set me up with his wife's sister. Their concern and generosity was most kind.

[nowaitaminute]

A caring pediatric nurse intercepted a neurologist's order for a spinal tap when I was 14 years old; she flagged my mom that the test was not appropriate for scoliosis, and connected us with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in my type of spine disorder.

[mugwort2]

Offhand I'd say the time when my family was there for me when I came home from an extremely rough ride from Wash. DC Nothing to do with politics. I was on the bus and got seperated from my male friend. I wound up in Bladensburg in the dark of night. All taxis were closed for the night. The police wound up taking me to a commercial bus I think the policeman helping me was one of the kindest acts too.

[shakespeare47]

I was recently introduced by a friend to his friend, and after a short conversation, he asked if I was married. (I am) It seems he had a sister who was single and he wanted to introduce me to her.

[DechanDawa]

Once I was living alone and on pain medication from dental surgery, and tripped, and fell down a whole flight of stairs. I broke both arms. My dog came and licked my face and stayed by my side until I had the strength to get up and drive myself to the hospital. That dog was an angel, may she RIP.

[TishaBuv]

I've thought about this question since you first posted it, and was reluctant to respond because I am so unhappy on one level with him, but the person who has said and done the kindest things for me has been my h. I have to give him that. I do greatly appreciate all the sweet, wonderful words, gifts, experiences.

[Big Mama]

This happened with in the last 5 years: An older lady at our church would always joke "Where's your coat" in the winter. This went on for a couple of years. I'd jsut shrug my shoulders. I didn't know what to say. To say I didn't have one made my husband look bad and made me feel .... well poor. One day when it was really cold outside, she asked me "Wheres your coat girl" then she looked right at me and said "You don;t have a coat do you?" Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head no. No other words were exchanged. The next Sunday she had me two coats. One nice one for church and one (still nice) but one I could wear around the farm or to play outside with the kids. I was so busy taking care of the kids needs that no one took the time to take care of my needs, not even me. I still have those coats. She has sense passed away and every time I wear those coats I can feel her love wrapped around me.

When I was crying to my husband about all my perceived physical and mental flaws....he smiled so big and said those are all the things I love about you.....and I could tell he meant it and my heart melted into a pile of grateful mush.

[Big Mama]

Just last year I had to take my little girl to the ER with an ear ache. She had an ear infection sure enough. I sat 4 hours with a burning hot child in the ER, then another 2 hours after we were put in a room. It was horrible. When we finally got out, it was getting late and we went to the pharmacy to get her Rx. We sat there for an hour, my little girl cried, and laid i the floor, slept in my lap as I held her. The pharmacist called our name and I went to pay for the Rx. The lady at teh counter told me our childs insurance had run out. I had just enough $$ to pay the $5.00 that the Rx was supposed to cost. With no insurance her meds were $120.00. I had no check book, no credit card, and no insurance and my baby was sick. I asked if I could just buy one day worth of the medicine. Maybe I could afford that. Unfortunately it was teh kind of thing that is all or nothing. So I began to cry and I carried my feverish child away from the check out. I have never ever felt lower in all my life. I was almost out the door of the pharmacy when this young girl, maybe in her mid 20's offered to help me. She said "Let me buy your little girls prescription." I told her I couldn't let her do that. It was a nice offer, but it was $120.00. She said that was fine, she knew because she over heard. I agreed to let her help me. When we got back to the pharmacy counter she ran the Rx threw her insurance. I don't know how. I am sure it was not legal. But the final cost was $30.00. She paid it. I tried to give her the 5.00 to pay her back. I tried to get her to give me her address so I could mail her the money back later. She refused to give me her address or name. I just hugged her. That was all I could do. I will never forget that day.

[DwNouT]

Possible trigger:

Telling me to go kill myself.

[HowDoYouFeelMeow?]

T said it was easy to smile when talking with me. It was quite heartwarming to hear.