The kindness of strangers

When we first moved out here, we didn't have any stuff. We sold everything we had back where we used to live, and except for a friend who found us an apartment, we literally didn't have anything. We slept on the floor of our new apartment that first night. The following day, as soon as the news about us arriving spread, people started sending us stuff. Strangers were giving us beds, and tables, and other furnitures. It was so heartwarming to be at the receiving end of those gestures.

I am actually surprised at how many strangers are very kind to other people they don't know. Whenever a stranger has helped me, I try to return the kindness to other person so I can also share kindness as a stranger.

Yep.. 4 years ago, about this time of year, maybe a few weeks closer to Christmas. I had a Club Pogo account and I owned a league that played tournaments on Pogo. I had been a part of leagues for a few years, and had owned that particular league for maybe a year or so. The league members were all very close friends. We didn't know each other outside of Pogo, we'd all met on Pogo in these leagues but we were all pretty close. It was nearing Christmas, obviously, and on top of that I was 8 months pregnant with my 5th child. I was a stay at home mom too, so money was pretty tight. I got 2 surprises that year. All of a sudden I started getting packages in the mail everyday.. for each of the different surprises. The first surprise was that many of the league members chose to purchase "baby shower" gifts for me and have them sent to me. Again, these are people I'd never met. One person bought me a brand new car seat. One bought some used clothes off e-bay and had them shipped to me. One made a cute little baby sweater. I practically cried as these gifts showed up. The second surprise was one of the league members owned a business, and each year her business adopted a family in need to supply Christmas gifts for. That year, although she'd never met me and she lived in a different state, she opted to select my family. She sent tons and tons of Christmas gifts for my children. Clothes, toys, games, all sorts of things. She even sent us a $50 check.. I can't remember if it was to buy gifts for hubby and myself or if it was to use towards buying Christmas dinner.. either way, again I cried.

there are only a few left of these strangers that is why they always leave an impact on other people's lives. my husband is physically challenged because of hypertension. this is the reason why most of the time strangers lend a helping hand.

That is amazing, and good for you! I personally have had many good moments with strangers; I have met many who have helped me in little ways. Once, while in a bus, I got to sit beside a woman, and then we got to talk about myself, herself, her family, my education, and a lot of other things. I think she got very fond of me because when I was about to get off, she gave me some money. I was surprised because it wasn't like I was asking her for some money LOL. It wasn't a very big thing that had a really huge impact on my life but I will never forget that incident. There was also that time when I was still in my first year in college and I stayed late in the library because I was waiting for the girl before me to finish printing her papers (which was a lot!) Staying that late meant that I would have to ride the bus instead of the train which made it more expensive, and the thing was my money was not enough! I told the security guard about it and they got very concerned about me, so they lent me some money to add to what I already had. If they didn't do that I would have stayed in the streets till the next day! Things like that make me feel somewhat embarrassed but then I get to realize at the same time that there are many people out there who are kind and willing to help out.

Wow, I'm happy for you and your husband and I hope he's condition is stable or better. I have met a lot of strangers that has been rude to me in a way but nothing beats the few strangers that had shown kindness to me. One thing in particular is the instance where I was riding a plane and had two hand-carry bags with me that I needed to place on the overhead cabinet and since I am the petite kind of girl, I couldn't totally reach it for my luggage to be placed so a tall, old woman had to help me do it. :) I'm the kind person as well, I'd like to believe that I am so I think I have also contributed little kindness to strangers too, even in my own littlest way.

we dont make a lot of money and we are quite lucky that we have friends that give us money or clothes. my co-worker even gave my daughter a guitar!

Yes several years ago when my kids was little our trailer that we lived in burned down we got a voucher from the salvation army and went and got clothes we had to stay with his family at the time then people gave us food and money and when I was in walmart sombody gave me some money I did not know them and it made think I am glad there is people like that out here.

I want to think that those strangers are angel in disguise. Not actually angels from heaven,but represents thru their kindness. We never knew them,but they came right in time when we need support and help. They are our guardian angels.

For starter, let me tell you how glad I am to find out that you found people who helped you with this serious problem. I think that many of the strangers that helped you, did it becouse they have similar experience and they know what it means to be in a tight spot. However, this doesnt make their actions less meaningful. A help is a help when it comes with the perfect timing. I have never had the need to test my friends or be dependant on strangers. And I hope that I will never have to. But if I do need help, I like to think that I can find such kind people as you did. Being kind to strangers is one of the things that make us human creatures. I know that nowadays more and more people are sceptic when it comes to helping someone they don't know, but if we don't help others when we can, how can we expect that others will help us when in need? It is karma. I am sure you helped a lot of people in your life and now it is all coming back to you I really wish that you and your husband go through these hardships and enjoy life, ignoring his illness.

Yes i had my life changed by a stranger,we never meet but she helped me a lot because i had some huge difficulties in the past and i will always be grateful to her. I can only hope that one day i will have enough money to be able to help people in need.I don`t need to be rich for that,if i have enough to live a modest life that`s enough for me.

I've been that stranger many times and I still am. At moments I am able to help out I will. I also found out that it is frequently more appreciated by a stranger as it is if you do so with your family and friends. Today I bought clothes and a warm wollen wintercoat to a woman who is also taking care of fosterkids. And she was so extremely happy. I will never forget her face. Sometimes people respond with: you should not have done that. Then I say: if you expect me to do it I won't. I can't stand that kind of pressure and the thing is that those kind of people will never have enough, always will ask for more. Years ago as my family let me down and no friend seemed to have time for me or wanted to help me out I met a stranger at the street. She did help me out stayed in my life for the time I really needed it and helped through that bad time. I still see that stranger as a good, close friend even we have no contact anymore and she will always have a special place in my heart and mind. I find it great to hear that you also found people, even strangers who care and give a helping hand. Cherish it.

That's really a touching story! I experience it also when my nephew is in the hospital and needs some blood donor. I posted it on facebook and some offer their blood in kind and in money too. Though my nephew doesn't survive in his battle I still thank of those who really love him and give everything that they could help. I miss my nephew he is only 22 years old when he die. Here is his Facebook account http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000031154484 were just thinking that he only goes abroad and just ignoring our messages but truth is he isn't!

I too have been touched by the kindness of strangers, just a few years ago me and my children lost everything, in a desperate move to escape a violent relationship with their father me and my children left with no where to go and nothing but the clothes we could fit into a duffle bag. I had been hiding money whenever I could from him and had managed to save just around a thousand dollars. Me and my children got on an amtrack train and ran for our lives, I truly did fear he would kill us if he ever found us. We were more then a thousand miles from anyone or anything we knew and we had nothing and the little money we had left was going quickly. I was trying to find an apartment on craigslist and sent replies to more than 150 people who had small cheap apartments available explaining my situation and that I had enough for a first months rent but no security deposit or references that could be contacted. Out of all the messages I sent I only received one response, this gentleman not only took a huge risk by renting to a person with no background the could check but waved my security deposit and got me and my children into the apartment within 2 days. I didn't have any furniture not even a bed to sleep on or blankets and pillows. This man and his wife made it their personal mission to help me, when I moved in he brought me two beds and some linens. In the next few weeks to follow they found furniture that was being given away and brought it to me. They supplied me with a living room set, televisions, beds and dressers, dishes and pots and pans. Everything I needed to start a new life all while charging me dirt cheap rent on a nice apartment. I still do not know why they were so kind to a stranger but I thank God everyday for them and can only hope that one day I will be given the opportunity to return the favor by helping someone when they need it most.