What kinds of small things do you do for

[Tobey]

Do you ever do something nice, however small, just because? Or do something for someone and not tell it was you? I love hearing these kinds of heart-warming stories.

A couple of years ago I lost my job. Was very devistating! In the mail I received an unmarked envelope with a $20 bill in it. To this day I still don't know who sent it.

Here's just a couple of inexpensive things I've done:

We have a grocery store here that you have to put in a quarter to use the grocery cart then return the cart and get your quarter back. I leave my quarter because I figure there is probably someone shopping there that can use it more than me.

I've sent a birthday card to a friend's mom and never wrote who it was from, she doesn't know who I am.

 

[runamuk]

Well I don't do anything I consider out of the ordinary

I often open or hold doors for elderly people or disabled people I talk to them as well

I regularly let someone with fewer items than myself go ahead of me in line usually ticking off the person behind them

I let people in in traffic if I am sitting there not moving...again ticking off the guy behind me

my husband was on his way to work one day when a horrible car wreck happened right in front of him.....he stopped to offer assistance it was a very elderly couple and the wife kept asking if her husband was ok (he was driving) my husband continued to console her even though he knew there was no way the guy was ok (he had pieces of the car sticking out of him and was quite crushed and very dead) a wonderful nurse happened along she had just got off shift and another car stopped and called for help....all in all it was a terrible thing but my hubby would do it again in an instant

he is always helping people........

 

[CAM]

I learned, from watching my dad when I was growing up, that it is the little things that mean the most to people. My dad spent his life looking for ways to help people and make their life better. He lived alone and would always make a couple extra steaks at dinnertime and deliver a homecooked meal to a neighbor for no reason at all other than to let them know he was thinking of them. He would pay the kid who mowed his lawn (my dad was in a wheelchair and that was one of the very few things he couldn't do for himself) to go mow the neighbor's lawn so they didn't have to. Mind you he had known these neighbors for 30 years so it was not presumptuous on his part. They always thanked him. He would also send money to people that needed help financially without telling them who it was from. Hey Tobey, maybe that's where the $20 came from!

My point is that I have learned so much from watching my dad over the years that now that he has passed, I notice just how much like him I really am. I live to do things for others, however small, that might just make their day. It is pretty selfish on my part though. It makes me happy and I feel really good doing it.

 

[Tobey]

Runamuk- I do the same think--let people ahead of me too if they only have a few items and let a car infront of me, as long as I'm not in a hurry and usually I'm not.

CAM-maybe that was your dad

Wish there were more people like that in the world! It does make me feel good to help others--just a little smile on the inside.

My mom does things too that drives her husband crazy. One day she saw this young couple with a broke down car and a sign that said will work for gas. The couple was trying to get somewhere and their car broke down. My mom gave them some money (wasn't a whole lot). Her husband was mad-he said they were probably just going to spend it on booze or something. She told him then so be it--they have a higher power to answer to. It didn't break her to give them that little bit of money.

Another story-my three small children and I were leaving a store. The lady infront of me had dropped a couple of dollars on the floor. I had my hands full and told one of my kids to pick up that money and give it to her. She took the money and said thanks. Then she looked at me and my children and gave the money back to my son. Was a very nice gesture from her and my kids were so excited.

 

[lilhorseladie]

I once sent an out of work, down on her luck friend a $50 in an unmarked envelope because I knew she wouldn't accept my help. I also watched the same friend fill her vehicle and then go to use the bathroom before paying. I ran in and paid the total and ran before she knew who.

I love the elderly and will gladly hold a real conversation with them no matter where we are.

One of my very first students became a teacher in the town I live in. I saw him in the store about 10 days to pay day with a bunch of Ramen Noodles and a 6 pack of diet pop, paying with change. I hurried home, found meat in the freezer, made him a meal and paid him a visit. Often I would show up on his step with food.

I am more helpful with food because we always have that and don't always have money. I try to be thoughtful, but sometimes I fail.

 

[Sun Runner Stables]

I am also a big fan of holding doors/ helping with heavy objects for people who cannot do it themselves as well.

...I was heading into a Walmart one day, and watched as this sweet old man tried to hold the door open for his wife and grandkids, the gradkids shot though, but the wife had a walker, and was going much slower, about 1/2 there I saw his arm start to shake and a panicked look hit his face. I was almost at the door, so I swooped in behind him, and grabbed the door... His wife had No idea, and he had this look of gratuity on his face I will never forget. I saw him in the store later on, and we both winked at each other real conspiracy like.

I also like kids a great deal, (Really Whitney, You?? Like Kids?? Never!

) and often at horse shows will "Adopt" a kid who ovbiously has Really been trying, but just needs a little extra, and put them in a group with my own bunch of students, and help school them for the show free of charge...

>What almost make me cry every time though is how my students adopt the "foundling" in. They have been known to share jackets, garters, show bridles, you name it, to help a total stranger out!

The whole show grounds knows most of my kids, and that they can count on them to help someone out!

CAM, I loved reading about your dad, he reminds me alot of mine...

 

[Buckskin gal]

O doubt if any of us do something for another person , just because. I think we do what we do because it makes us feel good ..maybe even more so than the receiver. I can't stand to see someone hungry and a case in particular that stands out for me was a day I went to the grocery store and on the outside sat a boy of 16 or 17 years old with his dog. Just by looking at them I knew he was a transit and was hungry. After getting my groceries I handed him lunchmeat, cheese and bread so he could make a sandwich, along with some fruit. His face just glowed and that is why we do something for another...to bring them some sort of happiness no matter how small and to warm our own heart. Mary

 

[Shari]

Though I am now limited in what I can do physically.

I like to give food or money to the local food Bank when I can.

Will help Elder ladies out at the store if I see they need help.

I do all kinds of little things,, when ever the need pops up.. I like helping.

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Over the years I have learned it is ALL about the small things that really matter. I do my best to keep the promises I make, never tell a secret unless it's a life or death situation that must be divulged, listen when someone talks to me and treat them with the respect I would expect for myself. I always try to be the type of friend I would wish to have and usually succeed.

I love any opportunity to do something anonymously as I think that type of helping is the most powerful of all.

I have also made it a practice to find some good in at least one person every day and compliment them about it or if someone is having a particularly hard time I will keep them in my thoughts and send them peaceful and supportive energy to try to help them through it.

I'm not always nice and actually can be quite a %&it@h sometimes but hopefully some of these other things offset that a bit when I'm standing before St. Peter.

 

[minimule]

I like to take hubby's Grandpa out to lunch. He is 94 (on the 8th!!!!!), lives by himself and still drives. BUT he is alone for lunch about 4 out of the 7. I'll call him and go to lunch with him, just so he doesn't have to eat alone. He has told me several times he hates to eat alone. I also listen to what he likes and dislikes, unlike his family!!! They've been making him a chocolate birthday cake all his life. He told me he doesn't like chocolate....

I let his secret out.

 

[Miniv]

I've done many of what others have posted --

Open doors for people. Say hello with a smile and sometimes strike up a converstion with someone who looks unhappy. Let someone go ahead of me in the grocery line. Motion someone at a stop sign to go ahead.

We donate to canned food drives, the $1 donations that various stores often have for charities......

Every Christmas we always pick a person (sometimes two) from a Christmas Giving Tree and buy a present for them. Last year Brianna and I picked a child AND a senior citizen.

MA

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I will always hold doors open, regardless of the age of the person. Sometimes a young mother with a buggy needs the help more than a senior, anyway, I always let people go in front at the checkout, if they just have a few items, it's no bother as they are through and gone by the time I've unloaded the trolley- so what does it cost me??

I am the same driving, I will let people cross in front of me and go first at junctions- if you are driving at the correct speed, again, it really is not bother, I can't stand people who are in a rush all the time.

I used to help people out that had problems with their horses, but I was so badly taken advantage of, I stopped doing it. When you are offering to help, why do people suddenly think they can just take everything they want??

 

[minimomNC]

CAM does more than she lets on, there is alot of her father in her too. I know. She doesn't know she helped me on a very difficult day recently. But she did.

Audie taught me many important lessons in our time together. Giving and sharing were high on his list. When I have the chance to help someone, I try to. No questions asked. Most days I wish I could do more.

 

[JO~*]

I try and do what I can.

 

[luvmycritters]

Very nice topic. I too have done a lot of the things that have been posted.

Opening doors for other's, letting someone with a few items go ahead of me in line at the store. Striking up conversations with the elderly. The other day in Family Dollar an elderly lady asked me where a certain item was - I looked for it until I found it and then went back to find her and tell her. ( I was shopping - not working there.

) Making extra of soup or chili and then taking a little care package to those who live alone or who are not feeling well. Going out of my way to put a smile on some ones face. Lots of little things! Lori

 

[Buckskin gal]

Oh Triggy your small things are really very big things. Lisrening to another person...really listening is such a big gift to another person. Your friends must be very lucky. Mary

Over the years I have learned it is ALL about the small things that really matter.  I do my best to keep the promises I make, never tell a secret unless it's a life or death situation that must be divulged, listen when someone talks to me and treat them with the respect I would expect for myself.  I always try to be the type of friend I would wish to have and usually succeed. 
I love any opportunity to do something anonymously as I think that type of helping is the most powerful of all.

I have also made it a practice to find some good in at least one person every day and compliment them about it or if someone is having a particularly hard time I will keep them in my thoughts and send them peaceful and supportive energy to try to help them through it.

I'm not always nice and actually can be quite a %&it@h sometimes but hopefully some of these other things offset that a bit when I'm standing before St. Peter. 

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[luvmycritters]

You've got that right Karla - that is "what lifes all about." Putting ourselves before others and going the extra mile, we may not allways be able to - but a wonderful feeling when we can!

Lori

 

[runamuk]

O doubt if any of us do something for another person , just because. I think we do what we do because it makes us feel good ..

Actually I often do things because it is good manners

and most of the time I am just not in a hurry......life is too short to always be in a rush....and if I am busy speeding toward something I might miss the opportunity to meet someone or experience something much more important......

here is a tip......if you are having a bad day and have to answer the phone.......make a point of smiling before saying HELLO........it is hard to sound grumpy when smiling

and someone having a worse day might just appreciate it

 

[alongman]

My job is pretty much to help others. But there are some that you go the extra mile for. My most recent case was a woman whose husband had died despite our efforts to save him. We (my partner on the ambulance and I) stayed with her so she could give him his final kisses, helped her call a funeral home and waited with her until family arrived. She was experiencing the most terrible night of her life and we both felt that she shouldn't have to do it alone.

 

[runamuk]

My job is pretty much to help others.  But there are some that you go the extra mile for.  My most recent case was a woman whose husband had died despite our efforts to save him.  We (my partner on the ambulance and I) stayed with her so she could give him his final kisses, helped her call a funeral home and waited with her until family arrived.  She was experiencing the most terrible night of her life and we both felt that she shouldn't have to do it alone.

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I could just HUG you