Today, for WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST, I bring a positive story of random kindness in the midst of my grief and emotional upheaval.
My Dad died in February, 2016 at age 87 while under hospice care. The preceding 60 days were intense: watching his suffering while juggling caregiving, replete with the medical, financial and emotional decisions required. I felt like a car. Daily revving up, tooling down the road, gingerly turning this way and that (hospital one week, rehab, home 2 weeks for the holidays, rehospitalization due to MRSA from rehab, return to a different rehab) — thinking we were headed to a certain place (long-term nursing care) only to realize we had sadly made our final turn onto Hospice Lane.
Abrupt stop. Literally. Head flinging back. Shock.
He was enrolled in hospice care on a Monday, arrived at the hospice house Tuesday and passed that night in the wee morning. The dreaded middle-of-the night-call came. Unexpected, so soon. Final.
A few days earlier, I took a break from my hospital/nursing home routine to see a movie and eat ice scream (lol) at the mall. I bought a new handbag large enough to tote the folder with Dad’s medical papers. Every caregiver knows the importance of documentation.
So excited was I about my new sale bag, I HAD to use it immediately. Against my better judgment, I transferred all items to my colorful purchase, discarding my outdated tote into the trash. It felt freeing to veer from my consistent practicality and spontaneously use the new handbag right away.
Nursing home regulations discourage giving cash to the elderly, so they encourage resident trust accounts (petty cash for misc purchases). I created his account, setting aside his additional cash and wallet contents separate from mine, keeping it in a side compartment of my former tote.
Enter stage left: a strangers unseen hand.
A few days after the movie date/shopping trip, Dad passed. Later on, I went in search of the “cash packet.” It was not in my new handbag. Oh no! I felt SO BAD … usually responsible daughter throws poor old dude’s money away.
Guilt ridden, I confess to my husband who tries to console me. Eventually, I shrug it off as a stupid mistake.
Out of the blue, a thick envelope addressed to Dad arrives by mail. I don’t recognize the return address. Look at the contents!
The note caused me to cry for joy … I literally wept at the kindness of this person I’d never met. One who could have kept the cash and discarded the ID with no one ever knowing.
Instead, they did the right thing.
We serve a God of restoration, One who gives back what has been lost.
This stranger’s kindness impacted me greatly. May God mightily bless this beautiful soul for their honesty.
Another human interest story, this news from Odessa, TX Random Acts of Kindness Stops Traffic shows strangers responding in empathy to a fellow driver in distress.
Today is the second celebration of the WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST #WATWB which is carried out every last Friday of the month, and aims to spread love and positiveness in this vulnerable world. A celebration of heroes who can still restore our faith in humanity, especially in this period when our world seems to be full of endless series of horrible happenings.
The co-hosts include: Belinda Witzenhausen, Inderpreet Uppal, Mary Giese, Simon Falk and Peter Nena. Click here to view the blog list and read more positive blogs!
Categories: Random Kindness We Are the World
Kathryne
Christian inspirational writer of truth that makes darkness tremble. Author of Lion in My Garden devotional.
This is a wonderful story. It would have been so easy for whoever to keep the cash, but NO! The right thing was done! Thanks for sharing such an uplifting and true story. Also thanks for coming by my blog to comment. Happy to meet you!
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Same here. Great connecting with a fellow writer.
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Thank you a true testimony of kindness in a world when so many take take take…I wouldn’t believe it but have been a witness to it..love you sister
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Love you, too. Thanks for reading.
PS: look in your mail soon. You won the “comment ” drawing! Congrats!
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Katie, this is truly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing
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You’re welcome. I cried from relief, joy, astonishment and of course, just plain grief. Now that a year has passed, I’m so much better. Love ya!
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This is such a beautiful story! And having lost my dad a few years ago I connected to what you were going through at the time. I can imagine how much this act of kindness meant. Thanks for sharing and I’m so glad to meet you thanks to this blogfest!
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Happy to meet you, also, Julie. Thanks for stopping by to read and chat.
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Kathryn, this tells us there are good and honest people in the world. How wonderful that this person returned everything to you! I would be grateful beyond words at the kindness and it appears you were. So sorry about the loss of your father. Keep his happy memories alive in your heart and find peace in them. Thanks for sharing your personal story and taking part in #WATWB.
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Yes, Mary it was almost unbelieveable. Appreciate the condolences.
I have enjoyed connecting with others through this blogfest. Great idea!
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love your post! would really appreciate it if you gave me a follow back and checked out my new posts! I’m a new blogger and really would love to have some readers 🙂
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This is such a beautiful story. And I love how this works. This kind stranger’s act touched you in a way she/he couldn’t have known, AND now it’s touching all of us reading this as well. These acts are exponential in their impact, and yet they can be very small and simple things. I find this so inspiring.
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Wonderful! Like pebbles in a pond, right, kindness ripples. I’m delighted you read it, Deborah. Thanks!
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This beautiful act of kindness renews the faith of all mankind. So sorry for the loss of your father. All smiles for the honest person who entered your life.
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It does, indeed, Gail. All smiles!
Happy you stopped by. Please come again.
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Hi. Thank you for sharing and for participating in the #WATWB
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What an honest soul who returned the money and ID. Thanks for sharing and joining our Blogfest 🙂 Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
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Yes, honesty exists!
I’m happy to have joined ya’ll at #WATWB. Appreciate your time spent reading.
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Inspiring😁
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