Your stories: Recognizing acts of kindness

Earlier this month we posted a request: Tell us about an act of kindness you experienced this year.

You sent us answers big and small, about friends who showed up during tough times and strangers who lent a helping hand. You told us about snow rescues, traveling mercies and unexpected connections with others.

Thank you for celebrating and spreading kindness. We’d love to hear more stories. Please share them via this link or by filling out the survey below.

“Last year we had a house fire that forced us to vacate our home for 11 months while we rebuilt. The process continues to drag on, but the kindness shown by our fire department, families, neighbors, friends, members of our congregation, co-workers, clients who did everything from showing up on the day of the fire to help and in the weeks and months that followed helped in ways too numerous to count … providing housing, storing instruments, bringing meals, taking us out for meals, helping to sort through the ashes, and on and on.

“We have always known that we are blessed, but this kind of disaster has shown us how surrounded by love we really are. The house is decorated and ready for the holidays. We are celebrating Christmas and the rebirth of our home which could not have been done without the kindness of so many.” — Phil Griffin, Plymouth

“I am a senior. Last January or February, I was walking home in the snow and ice. I slipped on the ice and went down, hard. I could not get up. I'm afraid I was too proud to call out for help. I was trying to crawl across the ice, without much success, when a young man across the street came tearing out of a house. He was just wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and some kind of shoes. It was freezing cold but he stayed right there on that super-slick ice until he had pulled me across the worst part, helped me to my feet, and made sure I could safely walk on.” — Hubert Hix, Minneapolis

“My husband and I had the flu or gastroenteritis the week of Thanksgiving — and we got that wretched, wet snow that would have ruined our driveway if it wasn’t cleared. (It would have stayed icy for months!) My husband texted his friend Dennis that we’d had to cancel Thanksgiving with our kids, and within two hours Dennis and teenage daughter Sarah were shoveling our driveway! They live a couple of blocks from us. I was doubting that Sarah was wanting to spend her ‘snow day’ shoveling, but Dennis said it was her idea to help. What wonderful friends. So grateful.” — Leslie Jones, Stillwater

“My best friend’s son passed away this past week at 22. He has special needs, and [his death] was very sudden and unexpected. His friends from his community came to his funeral and told stories about him. They sang ‘Jesus loves me,’ and it was just so innocent and sweet. It was moving and meant so much to his family.” — Theresa Rom, Littlefork

“When my friends give me hugs at school.” — Kate Lorenz, New Hope

“I was at the Y last week, and I forgot my wallet, and one of the people in the Zumba class I take gave me money to get out of the parking lot.” — Valerie Tiberius, Minneapolis

“There’s a woman who brings her dog to a couple of libraries for a program called Paw Pals. In this program, children can come sit next to the dog and read the dog a book. This woman brings in a dog named Wish. Wish has the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen on an animal. I think it is so kind of this woman to take her time and the love of her dog and share this with children in the community through our libraries.” — Catherine Penkert, St. Paul

“I have a little niece who is 3 years old and the kindest soul you can imagine. She really blossomed this year. She does little acts of kindness every day. She is in tune to what adults are saying, and if you say, ‘Oops, I spilled!’ she'll run and get a towel. She clears everyone's plates after a meal, throws trash away and loves to help do the dishes. She gives play ice cream cones to everyone in the room. She's truly a light in the lives of everyone who knows her!”

“I suffer from depression and was going through a tough time in grad school with a course that was very difficult. I had taken the course already and did very poorly because of my mental health, so I decided to try it again because it was important to me that I understand a subject that's key in my chosen career. My friends, especially my BFF Emily, became my biggest cheerleaders. I post a lot on Facebook, and even if I posted the most trivial accomplishment, like writing one sentence for an assignment, they would enthusiastically congratulate me. When I was discouraged, they always lifted me back up. It worked so well that I got an A in the course. An A was a far-off dream for me when I started the semester and my friends' constant and unwavering support had a huge part in making the A a reality.” — Elizabeth Baker, Rochester

“I have experienced a plethora of acts of kindness throughout the year. I am so grateful to say that every day there is someone who does something nice, kind, and/or sweet with me and/or for me. Prime examples include my friends and community members from the Grand Avenue Dunn Brothers. The folks that work there are some of the best humans I have ever met. Every day I have the privilege to interact with them is a gift. Additional examples include friends dropping food and/or medicine off at my apartment when I am too sick to leave, friends checking on me when my mental or physical health is not the best, and friends/colleagues writing ‘Thank You’ or ‘We Appreciate You Cards.’ Thus, I truly feel that ‘Acts of Kindness,’ for me, happen every day.” — Wayne Glass, St. Paul

“I was walking through the double doors at the Mall of America and there was a bell ringer in that area. I didn’t have any money so sheepishly I told the fellow I didn’t have any money and how was his day? He said he was grateful I spoke with him. We continued our conversation and he told me he had been in the Air Force and currently had great support from the VA for his medical needs. I let him know I was grateful [to him] for putting his life on the line for our country and me. And he said we live in the greatest country on the planet. I agreed our government was founded on the highest ideals.

“Then we looked at each other. Him, an African American middle-aged man. Me, a white, late 60s woman. We held each others’ hand and then he blessed me! He blessed me with good fortune, good friends, good health, good relationships with family and God. My eyes were flooding with tears as he continued. I thanked him with love and caring in my eyes and hands to my lips to send a kiss. We exchanged first names. And I left feeling so happy and light and incredibly grateful and hopeful! I have thought about him with love so often these days. I hope I never forget him or his blessing. I hope I can it pass on.” — Kathy Brown, Mendota Heights

“I am blessed with amazing coworkers. When I had a relapse of severe depression in the Spring, rather than turn away with silence or whispers, my coworkers stepped up and helped. They came to my house and sat with me, brought me food, offered to assist with chores, and then visited when I was hospitalized. I have been hospitalized for depression many times over the past years, but this was the first time I ever received a card or flowers. Something so simple, which is done every time a person is hospitalized for any other illness, but never before (for me) for mental illness. I will never forget their compassion and kindness.” — LaRee Etter, Rochester

“My college-aged daughter met a woman at the bus stop who was feeling really down. This woman told my daughter that she had burned all her bridges with her family and friends and didn't see how she could ever get back on track. My daughter gave her a spare chocolate bar and told her that she believed in her and to focus on where her feet are right now and to keep on going forward. The woman started to cry and told my daughter those were the kindest words she had heard in a long time. I am so grateful there are kind people like my daughter out there putting others first — even for a short time at the bus stop.” — Michelle, Northfield

“My friends surprised me by fundraising over $600 to send young leaders to represent the YMCA at a global youth conference. For some of these young people, they had never left the state of Minnesota, much less been on an airplane, gone to a foreign country and meet people from all over the globe. These young people showed off the best in us, and my friends rallied around them (people they never met) to help give them an opportunity of a life time.” — Sarah Halby, St. Paul

“I was driving in a near by city that I was not very familiar with. On a busy highway, a gentleman drove up in the lane next to me and honked, opened his window, and pointed to my tire. He told me it was going flat. I asked where the nearest gas station was. He drove ahead of me to the nearest gas station, to the air pump, got out of his car and filled my tire. (I wouldn't have known how!) This kind deed never leaves me, and I feel blessed again every time I think of it.” — Audrey, Caledonia

“I was visiting my daughter and her family who live in St. Paul. One day after it snowed, I was heading to my car to pick up my granddaughter after school. A car came by and pulled off to the side of the street. The man came out of his car with a brush and helped me sweep the snow off the car while we had a chance to talk. His kindness brought tears. I told him I would repay his kindness which I did. The young couple next door hadn't shoveled their sidewalk, so I shoveled their sidewalk for them. Simple acts of kindness mean so much, especially in this day and age!” — Joyce Luedke, Rothschild, Wis.

“My students at Horizons4Girls accepted a challenge at the beginning of this year: 100 acts of kindness in 50 weeks. They continue to be right on track. Activities such as Post-It Notes with positive affirmations on the lockers at South High the first week of Christmas, baked goods and a thank you card delivered to a local fire station. But the most moving activity so far? Over 500 Christmas cookies delivered room to room at Rocky Knoll [Health Care Center] the beginning of December. Here is a blog entry regarding the afternoon: An aid knocks on the resident's door and announces visits that include cookies to hand out and Faith the therapy dog that wants to share Christmas greetings. The room is dim, a small table lamp and the glow from a small TV screen provide the only light in this sparse room. An H4G student or two enter with a tray of Christmas cookies, another with some napkins. The tray is extended with an invitation to choose several and a napkin is offered. Faith comes in on the lap of her owner offering to cuddle up and share her love. Memories are shared by residents and tears are shed by residents, students, volunteers, and staff. As students exit, Christmas greetings are shared by all. The ride home is somber as students reflect on the perspective of residents often living out their lives away from family and friends and a new respect for the meaning of family has been gained.” — Char Pachniak, Sheboygan

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