Kindness of a Stranger & Paying it Forward!
No idea how many times I've packed my hockey bag in my life, but it's a lot. At the end you do a once over making sure all your equipment is there as all it takes is one thing to be missing and you don't play.
Was getting dressed for my game and realized my left shin pad was missing from my bag...oh crap. I was already running late and there is no way to run home to grab my pad. Ran to check the lost and found to see if there is one in there, anything will do at this point, but nothing.
Now I know a lot of the guys that play at my rink, but not one person I knew was there except for those on the rink. With the prospect of having to not play after bringing the family to the rink to watch as it's one of my rare early games the kids can see I decided to ask perfect strangers from a team that would be playing after us.
| Letting someone wear your gear and get it all sweaty right before you will be wearing it is not exactly what anyone wants to do...and to do it for someone you don't know is a big ask. Lets face it, it's kind of gross! |
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Walked up and asked three people who don't know me if any of them would be willing to let me wear their shin pad, to my amazement all offered to help. The tallest guy said to use his as it would fit best.
By lending me a shin pad I got to play the game I love in front of my kids. Factored in 3 goals for the game and afterwards knew I did my job as the opposing goalie gave me the finger as he walked to the table our teams were sharing by the bar. It was a fun night that wouldn't have happened if not for a strangers willingness to lend a hand.
Now I know this isn't a big deal and my life wasn't drastically effected by this small act of kindness, but for that night it was everything. Sometimes small actions can have a big effect on another person's day.
| Wasn't honestly planning to share my hockey story, but as that one kindness was paid forward tonight a 80 something year old lady named Betty made me pause for a minute and reflect. The hockey story was a big deal to me last night and the kids talked about the game today which was fun, but it was just one of thousands of games I've played and will play in my life. Tonight was a little different. |
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Paying it Forward
Tonight as I walked out of the grocery store an isle over from my car I noticed an older lady unloading her groceries...well at least trying to. The parking lot slopes and the cart wanted to run away from her and I noticed the battle she was having with the cart while trying to get her bags out. She would get the bag just up off the cart and it would start to move forcing her to put the bag down again. She tried to change the angle of the cart with the same results.
I changed my direction and headed her way instead of straight to my car figuring I'd ask if she wanted a hand. As I walked up to her she was getting very frustrated with the cart. She just couldn't get the right angle with the cart and she wasn't strong enough to lift her bags out while still holding onto the cart.
As I approached she was shaking the cart in frustration. She as facing my direction and noticed me coming so I gave her a smile and walked up. With that she paused her attempts at getting the cart just right so it wouldn't roll away. Never asked if she wanted help as it was clear she needed help at that moment.
| Asked if she could hold my cart for a minute while I loaded her bags. Took me all of 30 seconds, but she literally had to wipe away a tear as she thanked me. This took me a little by surprise as it wasn't a big deal and not the first time I've helped someone load their groceries at this store. Never has anyone gotten so emotional over something so little. |
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She then told me that this was her first shopping trip without her husband there to hold the cart, he was buried on Monday. Her husband would come with and push the cart up and down the isle. Then at the car he would hold the cart as she unloaded the cart. He couldn't stand without the cart or his walker, so this was his job ever since retiring almost 20 years ago.
| When I reached out to put my hand on her arm in comfort and she stepped in for a hug which I gladly gave her. With my foot holding my cart from running off, balancing on one foot, there I was hugging a woman I've never met before with my eyes watering up thinking of her situation and how taking a few seconds of my day could impact someone so much. |
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Now I've met Betty and know that she likes to shop late so I will keep my eye open for her in the future.
I'm Challenging Each of You
You never what Small Act of Kindness might make someone's day. So I put this challenge out there for each of you. The challenge is simple, yet one that most won't bother to do.
Your challenge is to go out tomorrow and do a Small Act of Kindness for a stranger. What this act is really doesn't matter, just put yourself out there and be willing to make the effort to help someone you don't know.
Photo from Pixabay and then edited.
| Let me know your thoughts. My posts aren't a static piece of information, but rather the starting point of what I hope turns into a conversation. |
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A nice post @thedarkhorse, thanks for sharing. Being the best version of you as often as possible will go a long way towards creating a sensational life full of reward and fulfillment.
That almost reads like a fortune cookie...lol. But I totally agree!
I welled up a little bit reading this. Thank you for sharing the story!
I guess @lynncoyle1 decided to outsource the making me cry. That is such a sad story. I mean, I'm glad you helped her, but that's so sad. I got up and went to the other room where my wife was and gave her a hug before coming back to write this. I try to help people when I can, but thanks for the encouragement to find more ways to help.
You are so sweet! If it makes you feel any better, I got a little teary when I read it too ;)
Nice to here this touched you in a positive way. Hope it's in the back of your mind when you see a good opportunity to help someone that might need a hand.
Awww @thedarkhorse, you just made me smile and cry! I knew you were a good guy, but now I really know that you are!!
We never really know what's going on in someone's life, and Betty will never forget you for as long as she lives; I'm sure she's already told all kinds of people about the "lovely man who helped her with her groceries"! If I could, I'd hug you right now too, but internet hugs will have to suffice!!
This should be your contest!
I am always aware of what's going on around me, and continually watch to see if someone needs my help. I've always been like that because I just think it's common courtesy. Today, a cleaning lady was in our apartment building, and as I went to leave, I noticed a used mattress by the door. My Spanish is pretty useless, as was her English, but between some pointing and gesturing, I figured out that she had to drag it outside to the garbage. Of course I helped her, and she was very thankful. I also know that many would have walked right past her, because she certainly didn't ask for help.
It's those other people that I don't understand.
Thank you for a beautiful post and a gentle reminder to be kind to strangers, because you're right, you never know what people are going through, and you never know how your actions will affect them. But what we all know, is that everyone is happy when a complete stranger gives them a hand!
Not really sure how to turn it into a contest, but maybe down the road with a little thought.
To be honest helping out a cleaning person is probably the last thing most people would do. They are part of the invisible, the part of society that is there working hard that most don't notice unless they make a mistake.
My Father while an artist had to put all his dreams to the side to pay the bills as artists really had no outlet to make a living back in the late 70's when I was born. He did all sorts of jobs and then ended up with janitor and maintenance at a school. So I understand how people are treated by those that think they are better then someone.
My parents set a great example for me always willing to lend a hand. Now it's my job to set this example for my kids.
That is such a sad state of affairs then, isn't it. I see people as people, regardless of their occupation, race, gender etc. It's difficult for me to understand those who don't.
That's interesting about your father because I was one of the few teachers at my school who really "knew" all the custodians. One guy, I found out while talking to him, used to be a publisher for a major magazine and decided one day he'd had enough of the stress, quit, and ended up as custodian. People really do make a lot of assumptions don't they?
I'm glad your parents did such a good job with you ;)
Okay, now you have me tearing up, too.
It's not so much that you helped her, it's when you helped her. She needed you there for all kinds of reasons, not just the holding of the cart. No way anyone replaces her husband, but for a moment, in that moment, you were the one to help.
I believe many things happen for a reason. This is one of them. Even if that's all you do for her, it will have been an act of kindness and love. Exactly what she needed that night.
I really hope that we all take up your challenge. :)
I don't play hockey, though, so I don't have any pads to loan. You're on your own there. :)
Agree there is no way to replace someone you have spent your entire adult life with. She said they got married at 19 years old. Just amazing and inspiring to me.
Bless the gentlemen who all offered to share their shin pad with you...and Bless you for helping Betty in her time of great need. My eyes are not dry...I appreciate so much that you took the time to tell us this story so we can be inspired and know that there are so many good folks in this world despite how the media would like to portray humanity! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Thank you for BEing the change!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
The media latches onto the worst of the worst for their stories as they are attempting to achieve shock value. Almost feel like if a news station took out the murders, rapes, and shootings (all daily occurrences in Chicago) and instead focused on the community builders, the stories of people giving time & money, and stories of everyday people who achieved great things against all odds they would do amazing.
Because at this point you can't shock me anymore. There is way to much horrific news that has been presented to me over the years and now it's just "noise".
Stories that I mentioned would shock people and inspire them. Show some young adults from the ghetto that are now successful (without sports or rap), how an education can get you out of the hood. Show young adults with "disabilities" who are successful. Show locals who became self made millionaires and how they did it. Give me stories like these and I'll start tuning into the news again.
Really do hope that the story can inspire just one act of kindness beyond what I did. More acts of kindness being done hopefully the more that will get paid forward.
Well, you put that just perfectly! I too cannot be shocked anymore, and hearing you say that makes me think there are a lot of others at this point too, or very close to this point...it brings me hope that we may be nearing the end of this dark age!!
What I fear is that as people are unable to be shocked by some horrific things...seriously when I hear about someone being rapped of all things it doesn't shock me...that things will be taken to the next level. When a scumbag POS that craves attention only gets a quick byline in the news and nobody pays attention to it where do they go next?
I seriously hope that it's not the case, but seems to be the way things have gone. Giving any attention to these people just isn't helping matters IMO.
If I can get past the watering of my eyes after just reading this wonderful blog......I'll be able to comment. I often say to my husband that we hear so few stories like this, as negative news seem to dominate. No-one knows just what another person is going through and your random act of kindness was so very uplifting to read @thedarkhorse It encourages me to not think twice before doing likewise when I see that someone is need of a helping hand. Thank you for sharing this heart warming episode with us.
That was just awesome. I have been going from blog to blog today, reading a post from everyone I follow. You win. I have no prize to offer, but this story is why I am glad I got on steemit today.
tip!
It is something at least!
Don't think I've ever gotten a tip before...thank you for that. Glad that the post was able to make your time on steemit more enjoyable today.
Just a minute, while I go get a tissue...okay. This was an emotional post for me to read. You see, my husband of 40 years played hockey, coached our sons' hockey teams, refereed and was the referee in chief for a minor hockey league. He lived for his hockey. So the story of you having to borrow the hockey equipment was a familiar one. It happens more often than you think.
Then the act of kindness you did for the older lady...well a few years ago that was me, loading groceries into the car, during the rain, a few days after I buried my husband. Although I am a bit younger than this lady, I know what it was like to be in her shoes. Only there was no one to give me a helping hand. I also remember what it was like, so I go out of my way to help others, because you never know just how bad a day they have had and your one small act of kindness goes a long way in making them feel better. Thank you for sharing your story.
Sorry nobody was there to lend you a hand in your time of need. I can't imagine how hard it would be to loose someone after being with them that long. My Wife and I have been together over 20 years and there is no way I can picture waking up tomorrow without her.
You somehow manage to work through the grief and carry on. But you do become keenly aware of small random acts of kindness. And the odd time, people do need a hug. They are free to give and receive but are worth their weight in gold.
Very touching story, I had to dry my eyes before this comment. :-)
I've been a taxi driver many times over the years and love taking seniors for many reasons ( making money is not one of them ). Good customer service is important to me, and with elders even more. They have offered me conversations that had great value to me over the years that so few people appreciate. Oh, it's easy to get frustrated when time is important to the bottom line, and customers need extra time and care for the same money or less. So I've learned to slow it down even more when needed and feel good about taking my time, even going out of my way to be in the area these trips are common.
All the great stories I could tell, maybe a blog is in order. :-)
Thanks for sharing yours
Yes they do need a little extra time and dammit they have earned it, haven't they? While sometimes the story may have no point, or circle back and start all over, I love hearing stories from older people about their past. So much happened from the time someone in their 80's-90's was born until now and they lived it.