There are a lot of things that good people have done that I could tell you; but this one is not about a kind-hearted person, it was a wonderful gesture of help from a company. My power company, to be exact. The year was 2001, if I remember right. I had been living in the little trailer on the property in Idaho for about a year with no heat or lights because I just didn't have the money necessary to hook up electricity out there. Summer was not too bad. I could go down to the river and bathe, but usually, I just stopped at the laundromat on the way home from work, washed/dried my laundry, and went into the bathroom and cleaned myself up. Winter was harder. I tried to heat the trailer with a kerosene heater, and it barely touched the intense cold of those Idaho winters. I shivered under my blankets every night. One night, the heater sooted over, and smoked up the house while I was sleeping. I remember waking up to a faint peeping sound that I thought was my alarm, and I felt way too groggy to be getting up and going to work, but I was trying. As I came awake, the noise got louder, became a screeching wail, and I realized (horrified) that it was the smoke alarm and the house was black with smoke. I dragged the smouldering heater outside, and opened both doors to the trailer. I had been freezing before, now I was even colder; but I realized how close I had come to being dead, and I was grateful to still be alive. I was 55, and didn't want to be a pioneer, and now, I was on the verge of giving up. But Northern Lights, our power company, called me and said they would run the power in for me, only charge me a fraction of the price it should have been, and let me make payments on that part. My dad had been one of the very first linemen for Northern Lights, and had worked there until he retired. They wanted to help me in honor and rememberance of my dad. You never saw anyone as grateful as I was when they ran the line up to the old trailer, and put that power box in. This is my dad and me in the driveway of the old ranch, with the first Northern Lights linetruck, about 1946.
Yvonne, this is a tremendous story!! Wow, to me, this shows how special your father was ,and also how special you are to our Heavenly Father! This account is truly a marvelous affirmation of God's love for you and how He has cared for you! So wonderful!!
Las Vegas to Los Angeles - one hour, Los Angeles to Osaka Japan - 12 hours, Osaka to Bangkok, Thailand - 5 hours Total flight hours 18 hours. Usually I would take a sleeping pill on these long hauls but one time I met an old Buddhist monk in Los Angeles, and as he was flying by himself and I am Buddhist, I took the obligation to make sure he would be OK for the entire flight. My main duties were to make sure he had fresh water to drink and I would carry his baggage, etc. during the flight changes. It was not a big deal, but I was exhausted when we finally arrived in Bangkok. When we deplaned, instead of following the "masses" to immigration, we were met by two "Heavy Duty" police officers and one or two senior monks. After a few words of welcome, one of the cops demanded my passport and of course I gave it to him. A few moments later, he returned, let me say good bye to the monk and escorted me to the front of the airport, where my luggage was waiting for me and my passport visa was stamped. It does not seem like too much, but it sure was a pleasant surprise for me!
Until recently, I have had a hard and busy life. After my early twenties, I didn't have time for socializing, or even a close friendship, so I pretty much internalized all my thoughts and emotions. For the last few years it seemed as if disaster after disaster were pelleting us like hail. I had two sons, the first was murdered in 1993, and my second son died suddenly February of 2014. The world seemed to fall out from under me, and I came apart. Worse still, I came apart on a forum. Many had kind words, and they tried to encourage me. But, there was one lady that really tried to help me, and she offered me her phone number. This lady would listen to my pain for hours, just to provide me with way to release some of it. We talked for months about everything that came to mind. This lady saved my life and sanity. Then my husband died last December, Talking to my angle friend had unknowingly help prepare me for this loss. My friend is Yvonne Smith, and she did all this with her gentle charitable heart. So, I've decided to travel to her home at the end of this month. I want to meet this child of God.
Ina, I am looking forward to your visit, and finally we can actually meet "in person" instead of just on the phone or in iMessages, although that has worked well for us, too. The weather is supposed to start warming up, and i am hoping that we have sunshine and flowers budding out by the time you get here. Do not be amazed if you discover that I do not have any angel wings, or even a halo; although I do consider myself to be a child of God, albeit, a very imperfect one. I am happy and proud to be considered your friend, and I know that if the situation had been reversed; it would have been you who were helping to comfort me. Be blessed my friend, and know that you are always in my prayers.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am happy that Yvonne has been such an asset in your life. She does seem like a very nice person!
I was in Kroger just a couple of weeks ago and had picked up a few groceries. I put my debit card through the machine and to dismay, it was rejected. And to my surprised it was rejected several times. I knew there was money in the account because I had checked the balance earlier that morning. I was about to cancel the sale, when the cashier smiled at me. reached in her pocked, pulled out a card and payed for my purchase. I was just dumfounded. To find someone in the day and age who would do something like that was amazing. Needless to say, I thanked her profusely and then tracked down the manager and told her what that wonderful employee had done.
That was a pretty nice thing to happen! Back when I had expendable money I have picked up the tab for groceries a few times for somebody in front of me in line who looked like they needed a break. The smiles and "Huh?????'s" were well worth a few bucks!
So true. Back when I was financially able, I picked up a number of tickets for young families dining out. I just went to the waitress and asked for their ticket and paid it when I paid mine. I really enjoyed being able to do that anonamously. I also tok groceries to someone else I knew was struggling when I was able. I always have believed in helping those around you. It just gives you a warm, happy feeling!! I have been the recipient of the same thing an number of times. This last Christmas season, I went through the drive thru at Mc Donalds and got a sausage biscuit and a senior coffee,,,, when I got to the window to pay the cashier tod me the person in the car ahead of me had paid my ticket. Such a nice surprise.
Joyce, that is an impressive story! I don't think I have ever heard of a cashier being so generous! Wow, I know you will continue to shop there for a long time!
This may sound like a strange story of a kind and compassionate act. But it literally saved my life. I was in my mid 20s and engaged to a wonderful man. I had my dream job and everything was going well. Then everything started to fall apart. I'm bipolar, and have been since my teens. My job required that I go to Texas, 1500 miles away from home - it was supposed to just be for a couple of weeks, but turned into 6 months. I was working 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week. I missed my fiance. Work was tremendously stressful. I even postponed our wedding, so that I could finish the job in Texas. I had a major depressive break and could barely function. My fiance finally, after weeks of pleading, talked me into quitting my job and coming home. I lost my job and we ended up having to sell our dream home. We did get married - that was the one bright spot in the whole period. Anyway, by this time I was suicidal and despondent. Then my husband did the most remarkable thing - he had me committed to a psychiatric hospital. My parents were furious. We'd only been married about 3 months and they thought he was just after my money. He told me later, it was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do in his life - but it saved mine. And we're still together 27 years later.
These are such great stories of paying it forward. I have had people purchase me a cup of coffee or some thing small which I would in turn give to some one else. Thanks for sharing all of your stories.
Mal.....what a great account of love and compassion in the midst of difficulty. Your husband truly loves you and demonstrated his love by making this difficult decision. Wow, from what I have read in these forums, you are such a brilliant, articulate woman. I am sure you have helped many people through the years!