In February, I asked readers to tell me about acts of kindness
they’ve received or delivered. Here’s a few of your stories
…
In February, I asked readers to tell me about acts of kindness they’ve received or delivered. Here’s a few of your stories…
… Betty said that she’s had a number of people pay for her restaurant meals. She thinks it’s because she’s a single senior but is always pleasantly surprised by strangers’ generosity. Most of the time she doesn’t know who’s paid her tab but one time does stand out … a young family was eating at a table near her and the father walked over to tell her that his children wanted to buy her lunch. The memory still makes her smile.
… Irma said that one time, she and her husband were both in the hospital and their doctor arranged to have them share a room (normally against hospital policy.) Several of the volunteers felt sorry for the ailing couple and decided to send them a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers. It brightened their room considerably.
… Joan told me about the year someone sent her two $100 bills in an unmarked card. It just happened to be the exact amount the IRS had confiscated from her Christmas fund. She never did find out who the guardian angel was or why they’d done it. But, she added, this was in the ’80s when two $100 bills was quite a chunk of change.
… Beth wrote, I read your column about secret giving. I won’t say what we’ve done under the radar lately but I’ll tell you my experience and why I decided that direct giving is really a good thing even if you can’t claim it on your taxes …
When I was divorced in the ’70s (not receiving child support and working as a secretary at a corporation), I was going through a really rough patch due to my old broken down car. I received an anonymous card with money in the mail. I told all of my friends what a godsend it was in the hopes that the person who gave it knew how grateful I was.
Many years later I worked in an office with a man who was diagnosed with AIDS. He was a wonderful co-worker and very efficient but had to stop working at one point. I knew that he was a vegetarian and was eating a special diet because he believed it was beneficial in fighting the disease. My husband and I knew the man was very proud and wouldn’t take money so we sent grocery money for fruits and vegetables every week until he died. At the memorial service the contribution from an “unknown source” was acknowledged by his partner in the eulogy. We left the service feeling satisfied that we made a difference in his life.
… “J” wrote, I don’t want my name published because this isn’t really a biggie but it’s something I’ll never forget …
This event took place years ago when I was a freshman in high school. I went out to lunch with some friends and was just walking around the store with them as they were picking out food. I was hungry too but didn’t have any money and didn’t want to ask for a loan from my friends. I told them that I’d go outside and get a table.
I must have been sitting there for about five minutes when a woman came over to me with her hands clenched (to be honest I kind of got scared) and hands me $10. She never said a word but just went back to her car. She was a young woman with small children and it always comes to my mind how that money could have been used for her babies. It seemed like a sacrifice.
Because of this I have and will help out a stranger in need. I’m not rich but I think we can all sacrifice a bit here and there.
… And lastly, after hearing the story of John Young’s illness, Phil Robb asked the Gilroy High Chamber Choir to get on a bus and go to John’s house to serenade him with some of his favorite songs. This sweet gift of time and effort touched John’s heart and will no doubt be talked about by family members for quite some time.
Thanks readers! In your honor, I’ll be donating the check for this week’s column to St. Joseph’s Family Center.
Bonnie Evans has lived in Gilroy with her husband Mike for 22 years. They have two grown children and a black lab named Pepper. Her volunteer work centers around end-of-life issues. She also teaches for Gilroy Unified. reach her at bo******@gm***.com.
