I got these questions from Danielle’s blog Underland to Wonderland, where I came across a post in which she talked about the website Thought Questions and their 365 thought-provoking questions to ask yourself. My friends Katrin, Celeste and Jasmine have also been answering these questions, so be sure to go check out their blogs too!
Day 80: What small act of kindness were you once shown that you will never forget? When I was eighteen, I was struggling to make my paycheck stretch each month and as a result I took the free city bus to work each day so I wouldn’t have to waste money on gas. It was okay, except that if you missed the bus you had to wait a good 90 minutes for the next one. Keep in mind that at the time I was working two full-time jobs, which left me pretty pooped, and the bus ride itself (it takes a really loooooong loop around three towns) is also 60 to 90 minutes, so that wait was enough to just about kill me.
One day I got delayed at work with customers and missed the bus by just a couple of minutes. For whatever reason, I think I didn’t have a phone at the time or something, I didn’t have anyone to call for a ride. Anyway, I sat down to wait, and not ten minutes later, one of my coworkers (who had left for the day) pulled up at the bus stop. She explained that after she’d gotten home she had wondered whether I had managed to catch the bus and decided to drive back to make sure.
It was about enough to make me cry. I barely knew this girl, and she certainly didn’t know anything of my schedule or how much her kindness meant to me. I’m sure she didn’t think of it as a big deal but it’s always stuck in my mind. Now when I see someone who needs a little help, I double-check to make sure they’ve gotten it. People won’t always ask for help or will brush it off the first time; it’s always worth taking a few minutes to go back and make sure they’re managing okay.
10 Comments
Ana
This was a lovely read Martha, it’s amazing how kind and generous some people are, I was struggling to park to get to an interview once and someone gave me their change so I wouldn’t be late, I got the job so I owe that person an awful lot Xx
Martha Woods
That’s so wonderful! You really never know what an impact a small action can make on another person’s day. :)
Katrin
Aww, what an amazing coworker! I can imagine that you will never forget this. That was a really nice thing! Two full-time jobs…oh my…I am sure that was more than just exhausting!
Martha Woods
It was pretty bad, but luckily I didn’t have to do it for long. And I admit that it was partly my own stupid choices that got me into that fix to begin with. I’m pretty grateful my life now is so much better :)
Pang Ly
Aww that is very sweet of her! My boss came to pick me up a couple times and helped me jump my car when the windchill dropped to -30 this past winter. When I thanked her she was like “no worries, I need you to work anyways!” lol.
Martha Woods
That was really sweet of your boss! I know a lot of bosses who wouldn’t want to go out of their way to help someone.
Jasmine
Its the small kindnesses that often make the biggest impact. There is a quote somewhere that is to the effect of ” be nice, everyone has their own battles don’t add to them.” You just never know how a small gesture can make or break someone’s day.
Martha Woods
It’s so true. I wish more people would try to live by that principle!
Frannie Pantz
Aw that was really sweet of her! I remember being down on my luck as a single mother with Kaden and having someone buy our lunch once. I love when people are so kind to one another!
Martha Woods
That’s awesome! It’s wonderful when people do these things, and even better when you can pay it forward to someone else :)