There must be something in the water, or maybe back-to-school time brings out the best in people. Whatever the case, I’ve gotten to hear lots of great stories lately that I want to share with you.
“The most awesome thing happened to me today. I am moved beyond words. I went to Wal-Mart to purchase my classroom supplies. I was purchasing notebooks, scissors, red pens, pencils, rulers, colored pencils and sharpeners for the kids who can’t afford them, choose not to purchase everything on the list, or just plain forget an item. I also bought some things to organize my classroom. My total was $122. As I was digging out my money, the lady behind me held out a check and said she was covering half the cost. She said she knew I was a teacher and she just really wanted to help. I protested but she wouldn’t hear of it. What an amazingly generous and kind thing to do for a total stranger! I am still beyond words and will definitely pay it forward!”
Here’s another great story from Shelly:
“I’ve had a rough week or so. I was sitting at home feeling awful for myself and missing my daughters, so I decided to go to the store. I was in the parking lot and an elderly lady in a motorized scooter asked me if I would return it to the store for her. Sure! Then I was looking at comforters and the mom of an incoming college student asked an associate a question the employee couldn’t answer, so I helped them out. Then I saw a friend who had a precarious load in her cart, and I helped her out so she wouldn’t lose all of her cupcakes on the ground. I feel so much better! Those little acts of kindness sure do a whole lot of good for the spirit!”
Kristi had a neat experience she wanted to share:
“I was shopping at Sam’s Club when something nice happened. My cart wasn’t full, but I had some bulky items. There were several employees standing at the cash register, so I began unloading. That was when one of them informed me that the checkout lane actually wasn’t open. I probably had an upset look on my face as I put the items back and found another checkout. When I finished the transaction, a manager approached me with a gift card. He apologized and suggested that the staff could have helped me. Customer service is alive and well at Sam’s Club.”
Finally, Arletta, wanted to say thank you to the stranger who went out of his way to save the day:
“I am a late evening clerk at the Family Fare in West Fargo. We are not allowed to keep purses at our till, so I keep my things with me in a plastic bag. I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home for some bird seed that is not carried in our store and didn’t realize I’d left my wallet in a cart in the parking lot. The next morning, a man rang my doorbell and returned the wallet. I was so flustered I didn’t get his name. I ran an ad in the newspaper, but I just wanted to reach out one more way through this kindness column to try and tell him thank you.”
Whether it’s something in the water or just the time of year, I’m glad to see so much proof that kindness is catching on.
Please continue to share your stories of kindness with me at info@nicolejphillips.com. Or send a letter to Kindness is Contagious c/o Nicole J. Phillips, The Forum, 101 5th St. N., Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107.
Nicole J. Phillips is a former television anchor for Fox News in Fargo. She is a writer, speaker and mother of three kids. Nicole is married to Ohio University’s men’s head basketball coach Saul Phillips. Her column runs every Saturday. You can visit Nicole at nicolejphillips.com.
