Our riding mower broke while mowing the furthest part of the yard. That sucker is ancient and ridiculously heavy so I it was kind of difficult for H and I to push by ourselves. The neighbor noticed us pushing and came over to help us move it.
Also, I had the most unreliable car ever when I was in college. A countless number of people either helped me push it off the road or gave me a jump start, usually unprompted because I was generally too shy to ask for help.
Until this year, our neighbors and DH/I used to switch on and off mowing the lawn of our elderly neighbors. The husband has been in poor health and his wife was doing everything, so we'd try to help by mowing.
Last year, when DD was in kindergarten, each family had to take a snack list and do the class laundry (napkins, etc.). DS #2 was on cast #2 or 3 and I had just gone back to work temporarily after being out of work for four months. Our week for snack/laundry came and no list was sent home, when I asked the teacher about it she said "I took care of it, I figured you had enough going on right now." I got weepy and hugged her--she had no idea how much that little bit meant.
Post by mommylikestattoos on Jun 4, 2013 16:04:52 GMT -5
Around the holidays 2 years ago, I was waiting on a loooong line with DS (about 2.5 yo). We were almost towards the front of the line when he tell me he needs to go potty. The woman in front of us said to go ahead, she'd hold our spot. So we rush over to the bathroom then back to the checkout line. I had placed my items on the shelf near where we were standing, but started panicking when I got back there and didn't see the woman or my stuff. Next thing I know, the little girl that was with the woman came up to me with a plastic bag and handed it to me. They ended up checking out and purchased my items as well! It was only a couple of boxes of jello and maybe one more item, but I was touched at how thoughtful that was.
My H and 5 year old took a train to the Philly airport today. H was carrying 2 bags plus a massive car seat; it was really cumbersome. He texted that the train conductor held DD's hand as she crossed the gap, and at least 4 people offered to help him carry his bags into the airport.
Post by W.T.Faulkner on Jun 4, 2013 16:16:18 GMT -5
1. When I was a senior in high school and knew where I was going to college, a man who works with my dad - I've still never met him - sent me a whole box of stuff from that college, his alma mater. Sweatshirt, hat, t-shirt, a nice note - it was enough that it made me feel like I belonged, even before I got there.
2. Three years ago, when my grandmother (dad's mom) died, I was absolutely heartbroken. We were close, and she always used to save newspaper clippings (lol) that reminded her of me, and give them to me. For the first birthday I had after she passed, my aunt sent me a newspaper clipping my grandmom had apparently saved for me from 1993, when I was 5, and never sent. I cried and cried, and it's in my wallet, even now.
Post by bananapancakes on Jun 4, 2013 16:18:18 GMT -5
I got mugged in Barcelona about 3 hours before my flight was supposed to leave to go home. I had my passport but my whole wallet and everything in it was stolen. I didn't even have change to pay for the bus to take me to the airport. The bus driver who understood very little English agreed to let me ride for free and gestured to have me sit right behind him in case a ticket inspector came on to check tickets.
When I got to the airport, I found out that my flight had been cancelled due to mechanical problems. I was given a free night stay in a hotel and a meal voucher but I still had no money to pay to use the internet (I had to book another flight), for food for the next day, and to get from the airport to my house when I returned back home. This nice couple behind me heard me tell my sad story to the ticket agent and when I turned around they gave me a 20 euro bill. I was so happy and relieved. It was such a crappy situation to be in but it restored my faith in people.
About 3 months later, the entire contents of my wallet (minus the money) showed up in my mailbox, mailed from the Canadian embassy. I guess the punks who mugged me, took the cash and ditched the wallet. Someone must have found it, saw my ID and returned it to the Canadian embassy and they mailed it to me.
-i watched my friend in high school buy a meal for a homeless man and then sit with him and chit-chat. the man cried and hugged my friend when it was over and said "no one looked me in the eye all day until you."
Things done for me... when I was on bedrest and just feeling crummy when pregnant with K, I got a couple care packages from some ladies here. It was such a nice surprise and very thoughtful.
Things I have done... when I was out living it up in Georgetown one night (back in the old single days) a homeless man was outside asking for money. I told him I couldn't give him anything, but I would buy him whatever meal he wanted from the little Greek/diner type joint. He got so excited, told me exactly what he wanted and just seemed happy.
When I was picking up Oscar from the vet this year, after needing surgery due to eating tampons grrr, a woman was there to put her dog down and was just crying at the desk. I reached over and patted her back. I've been there and it sucks. I'm not sure if she liked it or what, I but in that moment, I just felt so terrible seeing how upset she was and wanted her to know that we get it.
When I was a freshman in college, 2,000 miles away from home, I called my dad and cried. I was so homesick. He randomly mentioned that to a friend of his, who knew that another friend's daughter (my dad did not know friend's friend) also went to the same school; she was a senior. He sent her $200 and told her to take me out to the fanciest dinner $200 could buy. The "fancy" part was nice, but more than that was the company, and the fact that the senior looked out for me for the rest of the year. We still keep in touch.
Also in college, there was a toll leaving the airport (Boston). During the holidays and beginning / end of school, we would always make multiple airport runs to pick up friends and teammates, and we always paid the toll for the people behind us.