Random Acts of Kindness

[Midnight Rose]

Thanks Rose.
It's an ASM right? I could not see any brass in it.
That mold is very cool looking.

I'm not one to forget a conversation about a chip, but I gotta admit, I don't know what you're talkin' bout here, Willis...

The rose paw chip ya sent me.
dg orange is that why theres no brass?

Ah, that.  Thanks for clearing that up; I kept searching through this thread to see what I said and forgot about.  Wasn't the first time this has happened to me today.  I'm getting old, and all.

But yep, that's why.

[bubbajit]

HPT members.

thx

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

We were browsing around Best Buy over the weekend and found a very comfortable chair on display. Another guy was looking it over as well and asked the salesperson if they had one available.  She went to look over the inventory and came back to say they didn't have one in stock. He seemed a little sad by this and walked away with his basket full of merchandise that made it appear he was starting up a small business.

We looked around a bit more and then asked the same salesperson if they could call another nearby store to check their availability.  As luck would have it, the other store had one left and they would gladly hold it for us. Sweet!  Without hesitation, my wife said we should try to find that guy if he was still in the store and let him know. We managed to find him, told him the good news and he was completely surprised we would, essentially, give him the chair. It obviously meant a good deal to him and I was very proud of my wife.   As a bonus in karma points, she jumped out of her in car just in time to catch a shopping cart that was hurling towards a pickup truck due to the high winds.

[Midnight Rose]

I have to say, this thread has been my own personal Random Act Of Kindness.  It has opened incredible avenues for me that had been dormant for a long, long time.  Thank you so much, LD, for starting this up.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

OMG.  I'm still speechless.

My wife comes home from doing some shopping, etc.  She decides to swing by an estate sale on a whim.  There is a local company that holds monthly sales around town, typically because someone who lived there passed away recently. She spots a concrete planter (she really enjoys gardening) and falls in love with it. The price is kind of high so she reluctantly passes it up.  She spots some small office supplies and picks up a few. One of which is an accordion-type folder in which you can sort bills, etc. Inside this folder were six thin white envelopes, typical of bank envelopes for cash. Yep, inside four of these thin envelopes were hundred dollar bills.

Her eyes got wide when she spotted them.  Thoughts on how to spend the money raced through her head. A new imac? A trip perhaps?  A set of poker chips? These thoughts lasted about 3 seconds.  She found a representative from the estate sale and asked if there were any members of the family present. When asked why, she calmly says, "They will probably want what is in this folder." 

The rep brings over an elderly lady and my wife hands her the folder. They open the contents and count out the cash.  $1,680.  They look at my wife with bewilderment, wondering why a stranger would hand over a large sum of money like that.  "Because it is the right thing to do." my wife says quietly.  The eyes of the elderly lady begin to swell up with tears.  The amount of money is significant and obviously of great importance.  She is confused yet touched by the kindness of a stranger. She reaches out for my wife's hand and says thank you.

[austin5string]

OMG.  I'm still speechless.

My wife comes home from doing some shopping, etc.  She decides to swing by an estate sale on a whim.  There is a local company that holds monthly sales around town, typically because someone who lived there passed away recently. She spots a concrete planter (she really enjoys gardening) and falls in love with it. The price is kind of high so she reluctantly passes it up.  She spots some small office supplies and picks up a few. One of which is an accordion-type folder in which you can sort bills, etc. Inside this folder were six thin white envelopes, typical of bank envelopes for cash. Yep, inside four of these thin envelopes were hundred dollar bills.

Her eyes got wide when she spotted them.  Thoughts on how to spend the money raced through her head. A new imac? A trip perhaps?  A set of poker chips? These thoughts lasted about 3 seconds.  She found a representative from the estate sale and asked if there were any members of the family present. When asked why, she calmly says, "They will probably want what is in this folder." 

The rep brings over an elderly lady and my wife hands her the folder. They open the contents and count out the cash.  $1,680.  They look at my wife with bewilderment, wondering why a stranger would hand over a large sum of money like that.  "Because it is the right thing to do." my wife says quietly.  The eyes of the elderly lady begin to swell up with tears.  The amount of money is significant and obviously of great importance.  She is confused yet touched by the kindness of a stranger. She reaches out for my wife's hand and says thank you.

wow

[pauld22]

OMG.  I'm still speechless.

My wife comes home from doing some shopping, etc.  She decides to swing by an estate sale on a whim.  There is a local company that holds monthly sales around town, typically because someone who lived there passed away recently. She spots a concrete planter (she really enjoys gardening) and falls in love with it. The price is kind of high so she reluctantly passes it up.  She spots some small office supplies and picks up a few. One of which is an accordion-type folder in which you can sort bills, etc. Inside this folder were six thin white envelopes, typical of bank envelopes for cash. Yep, inside four of these thin envelopes were hundred dollar bills.

Her eyes got wide when she spotted them.  Thoughts on how to spend the money raced through her head. A new imac? A trip perhaps?  A set of poker chips? These thoughts lasted about 3 seconds.  She found a representative from the estate sale and asked if there were any members of the family present. When asked why, she calmly says, "They will probably want what is in this folder." 

The rep brings over an elderly lady and my wife hands her the folder. They open the contents and count out the cash.  $1,680.  They look at my wife with bewilderment, wondering why a stranger would hand over a large sum of money like that.  "Because it is the right thing to do." my wife says quietly.  The eyes of the elderly lady begin to swell up with tears.  The amount of money is significant and obviously of great importance.  She is confused yet touched by the kindness of a stranger. She reaches out for my wife's hand and says thank you.

wow

+1.

Got yourself a good woman there.  Of course you don't need us to tell you that.

[Detroitdad]

holy crap............

very impressive.

Every time I don't think this thread can't impress me anymore. I am proved wrong again and again

B

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Thanks ya'll.

I'm not sure what I would have done in her situation but I sure would love the opportunity to find out. 

[bubbajit]

WOW Lucky thats wow.
That elderly lady must have been so blown away and stunned by that.
What ever shes going through that must have made it easier.
+1680 to Mrs lucky

[Midnight Rose]

I can't help but repeating it: wow.

[pauld22]

Random act of sportsmanship...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

I would like to think my wife and I will raise our children that well. 

[Midnight Rose]

I saw that on one of the morning news shows, but I'm glad you posted the full story.  That was a great read.

[austin5string]

This only sort of fits in this thread, but I had a particularly refreshing experience today.

I helped out a customer and his daughter - won't go into details, but what I offered was an exception to the norm.  He asked for my physical location because he wanted to send me something to show their appreciation.  I told him that really wasn't necessary, that just his thanks was sufficient.  He persisted, however, explaining to me that he encourages his children to send a thank you gesture or note to people that make a positive impact in their lives.  They do this once a week, he said.  I guess they just have a list, and each week, sit down to express their thanks to others.

Needs to be more of that..

~A5S

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

What a nice thing to teach to a child.  And it's cool you went out of your way to help them.  All good!

[Gobbs]

Random act of sportsmanship...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

I would like to think my wife and I will raise our children that well. 

I thought it was going to be one of those lame stories where the other team lets an injured girl score a free bucket at the beginning of the game to break a record.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Great story.

The girl deserved the home run and the other team simply did the right thing.  When you take into account that the girl actually was entitled to the home run by rule anyway, I bet they feel even better about their actions.  Not only did they do the right thing, but they didn't cheat a girl out of what the rules said she deserved anyway.

Gobbs

[pauld22]

Random act of sportsmanship...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

I would like to think my wife and I will raise our children that well. 

I thought it was going to be one of those lame stories where the other team lets an injured girl score a free bucket at the beginning of the game to break a record.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Great story.

The girl deserved the home run and the other team simply did the right thing.  When you take into account that the girl actually was entitled to the home run by rule anyway, I bet they feel even better about their actions.  Not only did they do the right thing, but they didn't cheat a girl out of what the rules said she deserved anyway.

Gobbs

On top off all that the umpires rules incorrectly in the diamond.  Initially they said she could have a substitute runner, get credit for the 2 RBI but not the HR (the sub runner would have stayed on 1st base).  After the game it was brought to their attention that the ruling in fact states that the substitute runner can complete the HR trot for her.

So luckily, due to the opponents good graces, the girl didn't get robbed due to an official's error.

[pauld22]

This only sort of fits in this thread, but I had a particularly refreshing experience today.

I helped out a customer and his daughter - won't go into details, but what I offered was an exception to the norm.  He asked for my physical location because he wanted to send me something to show their appreciation.  I told him that really wasn't necessary, that just his thanks was sufficient.  He persisted, however, explaining to me that he encourages his children to send a thank you gesture or note to people that make a positive impact in their lives.  They do this once a week, he said.  I guess they just have a list, and each week, sit down to express their thanks to others.

Needs to be more of that..

~A5S

Nice to hear about the good parents out there.  Too many stories about the bad ones.  Thanks for sharing and nice to see your efforts didn't go unnoticed.

[Gobbs]

Random act of sportsmanship...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

I would like to think my wife and I will raise our children that well. 

I thought it was going to be one of those lame stories where the other team lets an injured girl score a free bucket at the beginning of the game to break a record.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Great story.

The girl deserved the home run and the other team simply did the right thing.  When you take into account that the girl actually was entitled to the home run by rule anyway, I bet they feel even better about their actions.  Not only did they do the right thing, but they didn't cheat a girl out of what the rules said she deserved anyway.

Gobbs

On top off all that the umpires rules incorrectly in the diamond.  Initially they said she could have a substitute runner, get credit for the 2 RBI but not the HR (the sub runner would have stayed on 1st base).  After the game it was brought to their attention that the ruling in fact states that the substitute runner can complete the HR trot for her.

So luckily, due to the opponents good graces, the girl didn't get robbed due to an official's error.

Not only that, the girl was entitled to the home run by rule, anyway.  (We're repeating each other now, right?     Just teasing.)

Gobbs

Gobbs

[Dr. Neau]

Random act of sportsmanship...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

I would like to think my wife and I will raise our children that well. 

I thought it was going to be one of those lame stories where the other team lets an injured girl score a free bucket at the beginning of the game to break a record.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Great story.

The girl deserved the home run and the other team simply did the right thing.  When you take into account that the girl actually was entitled to the home run by rule anyway, I bet they feel even better about their actions.  Not only did they do the right thing, but they didn't cheat a girl out of what the rules said she deserved anyway.

Gobbs

On top off all that the umpires rules incorrectly in the diamond.  Initially they said she could have a substitute runner, get credit for the 2 RBI but not the HR (the sub runner would have stayed on 1st base).  After the game it was brought to their attention that the ruling in fact states that the substitute runner can complete the HR trot for her.

So luckily, due to the opponents good graces, the girl didn't get robbed due to an official's error.

Not only that, the girl was entitled to the home run by rule, anyway.  (We're repeating each other now, right?     Just teasing.)

Gobbs

Gobbs

Too many umpires.

They need competent, dedicated umpire. 

[Midnight Rose]

Bravo, Doc.  Bravo.

[ChrisChip10]

DittoRoseBravoDocNiceGobbs.   

[Detroitdad]

This pales in comparison to the great things you HPT'ers have done, but I thought I would post it anyhoo.

Jake and I were at Lowe's this morning picking up some 12-12-12 fertilizer for his garden. On the walk back to our car a lady that was probably in her late 70's was about to put a 40 bag of soil into her van. We stopped, I asked if she would like us to do that for her. She accepted, so I told Jake to put it in the van for her (I had the fertilizer in my hands). Then Jake took the cart and put it in one of the cart bins (I fricken hate people that leave them in the parking lot when the stores provide places to put the carts).

That's all.

[austin5string]

This pales in comparison to the great things you HPT'ers have done, but I thought I would post it anyhoo.

Jake and I were at Lowe's this morning picking up some 12-12-12 fertilizer for his garden. On the walk back to our car a lady that was probably in her late 70's was about to put a 40 bag of soil into her van. We stopped, I asked if she would like us to do that for her. She accepted, so I told Jake to put it in the van for her (I had the fertilizer in my hands). Then Jake took the cart and put it in one of the cart bins (I fricken hate people that leave them in the parking lot when the stores provide places to put the carts).

That's all.

Doesn't pale in comparison at all, DD.  It's not a matter of what the good deed is, it's the fact that you do it.

Thanks for sharing!

~A5S

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Well said, A5S.  And good for you and Jake, DD.  I'm sure that kind gesture helped the lady tremendously.  Keep up the good work!

[RagingAZN]

I'll share a story here too!

I drive my car to university and park it in a pay-and-display carparking area with a flat rate of $5 for 12 hours! But two days ago, I parked my car and was getting ready to put my money in the ticket machine when a young lady drove by and said "Here hun, you can have this."

It was her ticket that she had paid for in the morning and it still had 7 hours on it, more than enough for me I'm only at uni for about 6 hours most days!

Lucky break for me! yesterday I was on the other end when I saw a young man about to pay for his ticket so i gave him mine

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Paying it forward is always cool.  Way to go, RagingAZN.

[Midnight Rose]

Not really random, but it's another example of how if you do good, good will come to you.

There are a number of construction workers doing various remodeling jobs on our house this week; the hardest working of which are the guys fixing our damaged basement (I'll post more on this next month, when everything's done).  Anyway, the 3-person crew came across the roots of the evil tree we had killed last month, and those roots were crazy wicked.  What was supposed to have taken part of one day, turned into a 2-3 day ordeal.

The good deed part of the story is that Michael made sure to provide the crew with music while they were working, and cold beverages after the job was done for the day (no beer while you have sharp tools in your hands); he even took the mini-fridge out of our house and plugged it up in the garage so the crew could put their pops in it when we were gone.  And since Michael is an extremely social person by nature (get ready for that, Jambine), he's already made fast friends with the guys.

And the "good comes back to you" part?  They gave Michael the use of their  jackhammer for a different contractor to break up our steps tomorrow, saving us $55 for four hours rental.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Sometimes we might not realize the impact that kindness can have on others.  Even being nice in a casual, everyday sort of way can make an impact. 

Recently, there have been many people posting well-wishes, positive thoughts and prayers to those in our HPT community who have relatives in the hospital seeking medical attention.  I am just making an assumption here but I have a feeling those random acts of kindness are being received at a most welcome time. 

[Detroitdad]

Sometimes we might not realize the impact that kindness can have on others.  Even being nice in a casual, everyday sort of way can make an impact. 

Recently, there have been many people posting well-wishes, positive thoughts and prayers to those in our HPT community who have relatives in the hospital seeking medical attention.  I am just making an assumption here but I have a feeling those random acts of kindness are being received at a most welcome time. 

You my friend are a very intelligent person. I'm glad to know you, and honestly, wouldn't mind meeting you someday.

B

And yes, very good statement.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Thank you for the kind words.  My wife has family in Michigan and I travel with her on the occasional holiday.  If I can ever squeeze enough time away, I'd love to meet up with the infamous Michigan Traveling Poker League and sit in on a game. 

[TuMaK]

Good thread, just read through it. Good on you all. It definitely does feel good doing even the smallest of things. Its just unfortunate that there are people who blow the small things off.
heres a few small, and recent stories of my own.

The first one is bad and good.
About a year ago I was on vacation with my sister and her father in Victoria BC and we were just heading back to our hotel from a pizza place that was just down the road. It was fairly late at night and around there the streets seem to start crawling with homeless people and drug addicts. Anywho, we had almost a full pizza left because we only ended up eating one and we offered it to the first homeless person we saw who had a sign that said something along the lines of "Need $$ for food homeless." We offered him the pizza and he took it. As we started walking away my sister looked back and he had thrown the whole box in the garbage. He obviously didnt want money for food (prob drugs) so we walked back, grabbed it from out of the garbage (after all it was still good) and didn't say a word to him. Nearly ten feet later we offered it to another man who was so happy to see food in front of him you could tell he appreciated it. Just for good measure we looked back and he was sharing it with another woman who was clearly homeless/hungry.

I often help elderly people randomly just by happening to be there at the right time. Like camping the other day with a bunch of friends, me and my gf were down by the boat launch and there was a group of ten or so people just relaxing at the waters edge. An elderly couple backed there minivan up and were taking a heavy aluminum boat off the back, you could tell the woman (not being sexist here heh) clearly wasnt in the right physical shape for the task so me and another random guy ran over and helped them unload it off the minivan right into the water. The husband of the two said under his breath to us " Thanks alot I couldnt of done it alone and I dont want her to hurt herself."
So that felt good as well.

Oh and a few weeks ago me and my sisters BF helped rebuild my grandpa's fence, hes getting older but he kept trying to hop in and help so we let him do some stuff with us and let him boss us around. After we had finished it working for 8 or so hours, he laughed and said something along the lines of "Guess I'm gonna have to make some additions to my will now."

Another thing I also enjoy which isnt technically kindness, is when people simply say hello or start a conversation. I come from a small town where everyone knew eachother and if they didnt it wasnt uncommon for someone to start a conversation while waiting in line at the grocery store or at a bar. Out here in vancouver though there are alot of different races/cultures/languages/beliefs and people dont seem to be nearly as talkative and friendly.

[Detroitdad]

Thank you for the kind words.  My wife has family in Michigan and I travel with her on the occasional holiday.  If I can ever squeeze enough time away, I'd love to meet up with the infamous Michigan Traveling Poker League and sit in on a game. 

It would be my honor to host a Zombie Poker Tour game if you are ever passing through town.

B

[Midnight Rose]

Thank you for the kind words.  My wife has family in Michigan and I travel with her on the occasional holiday.  If I can ever squeeze enough time away, I'd love to meet up with the infamous Michigan Traveling Poker League and sit in on a game. 

Next time you're here, say the word and Michael and I will come pick you up on our bikes.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Whoohooo!  A zombie poker game and limo service on a motorcycle!  You just can't beat those two combinations.  Very kind of you all to offer and I certainly hope I can take you all up on that. 

TuMak, thanks for sharing those stories.  Your generosity to those less fortunate or the kindness you show in helping out where you can obviously makes a big difference to those people.  A helping hand, especially when unsolicited, certainly makes an impact.

[R-Ho]

Whoohooo!  A zombie poker game and limo service on a motorcycle!  You just can't beat those two combinations.  Very kind of you all to offer and I certainly hope I can take you all up on that. 

TuMak, thanks for sharing those stories.  Your generosity to those less fortunate or the kindness you show in helping out where you can obviously makes a big difference to those people.  A helping hand, especially when unsolicited, certainly makes an impact.

Remember to put on a full set of leathers and a helmet once you get to the poker game.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Do I have to wait til the poker game?

[R-Ho]

Do I have to wait til the poker game?

You may put them on now if you like, but they're pretty warm as summer fashions go.

[TuMaK]

Thanks lucky, I strongly believe in karma as well and here is my most recent karma experience. Ill try and keep it short seeing as its not kindness but very well could of been.

Me and my bro just got off work and were walking to a pub to meet up with some other people we know. east to west the traffic is stopped and we are walking north. we get to the crosswalk and the light goes green and a walk thing flashes..'Villain' who is travelling in the same direction decided to turn right and cut both me and my bro off just to run right into dead stop traffic. He almost clipped me and forced us to walk around him because he completely blocked the crosswalk. Anywho, we get across the street and the light changes fairly quickly.. within seconds we hear SMASHHHH! We look back to see that Villain just got rear ended by a big suv who wasnt paying any attention at all and just decided to continue going when he saw green. He wasnt going fast so no one was hurt but it was quite funny that Villains nice sports car lost its whole back bumper. We laughed about it all the way to the bar and I couldnt help but tell the story to everyone we met up with . Figures of course karma set back in on me.. I was playing keno the entire time I was there and was doing good. (good being up about 40$ or so) I ended up accidently leaving my cashout ticket at the machine and had just walked back to my seat and within say... 30 seconds I realized I had left it there. My ticket was gone and I had no idea who took it. so I was out my winnings (40$) PLUS my initial 20$ keno buy-in. Moral of the story, I try not to laugh at others misfortune as much anymore heh.

EDIT> I've also quit playing keno altogether and prob saved a boat load of money because of it.

[R-Ho]

Thanks lucky, I strongly believe in karma as well and here is my most recent karma experience. Ill try and keep it short seeing as its not kindness but very well could of been.

Me and my bro just got off work and were walking to a pub to meet up with some other people we know. east to west the traffic is stopped and we are walking north. we get to the crosswalk and the light goes green and a walk thing flashes..'Villain' who is travelling in the same direction decided to turn right and cut both me and my bro off just to run right into dead stop traffic. He almost clipped me and forced us to walk around him because he completely blocked the crosswalk. Anywho, we get across the street and the light changes fairly quickly.. within seconds we hear SMASHHHH! We look back to see that Villain just got rear ended by a big suv who wasnt paying any attention at all and just decided to continue going when he saw green. He wasnt going fast so no one was hurt but it was quite funny that Villains nice sports car lost its whole back bumper. We laughed about it all the way to the bar and I couldnt help but tell the story to everyone we met up with . Figures of course karma set back in on me.. I was playing keno the entire time I was there and was doing good. (good being up about 40$ or so) I ended up accidently leaving my cashout ticket at the machine and had just walked back to my seat and within say... 30 seconds I realized I had left it there. My ticket was gone and I had no idea who took it. so I was out my winnings (40$) PLUS my initial 20$ keno buy-in. Moral of the story, I try not to laugh at others misfortune as much anymore heh.

I bet the guy who took the ticket died of a massive coronary later that day.

[bubbajit]

Thanks lucky, I strongly believe in karma as well and here is my most recent karma experience. Ill try and keep it short seeing as its not kindness but very well could of been.

Me and my bro just got off work and were walking to a pub to meet up with some other people we know. east to west the traffic is stopped and we are walking north. we get to the crosswalk and the light goes green and a walk thing flashes..'Villain' who is travelling in the same direction decided to turn right and cut both me and my bro off just to run right into dead stop traffic. He almost clipped me and forced us to walk around him because he completely blocked the crosswalk. Anywho, we get across the street and the light changes fairly quickly.. within seconds we hear SMASHHHH! We look back to see that Villain just got rear ended by a big suv who wasnt paying any attention at all and just decided to continue going when he saw green. He wasnt going fast so no one was hurt but it was quite funny that Villains nice sports car lost its whole back bumper. We laughed about it all the way to the bar and I couldnt help but tell the story to everyone we met up with . Figures of course karma set back in on me.. I was playing keno the entire time I was there and was doing good. (good being up about 40$ or so) I ended up accidently leaving my cashout ticket at the machine and had just walked back to my seat and within say... 30 seconds I realized I had left it there. My ticket was gone and I had no idea who took it. so I was out my winnings (40$) PLUS my initial 20$ keno buy-in. Moral of the story, I try not to laugh at others misfortune as much anymore heh.

I bet the guy who took the ticket died of a massive coronary later that day.

karma's a ..... after all.

[Midnight Rose]

Remember to put on a full set of leathers and a helmet once you get to the poker game.

Do I have to wait til the poker game?

Don't worry.  We always carry protection.

[Detroitdad]

First off, this is a very very very very small act of kindness compared to the selfless acts in this thread. I'm mainly posting this in hopes that other members will post their much more impressive acts of kindness.

On SAT. after hauling a ton (actually probably two ton) of stone, I decided I needed to head to the local grocery store for a beer/frozen pizza run.

Upon returning to my car with the grocery cart an old man had just finished unloading his groceries into his car.

I was taking my cart to one of those grocery cart stalls, so I offered to take his as well. He looked to already be struggling. He was actually very gracious for such a small act of kindness.

[austin5string]

First off, this is a very very very very small act of kindness compared to the selfless acts in this thread. I'm mainly posting this in hopes that other members will post their much more impressive acts of kindness.

On SAT. after hauling a ton (actually probably two ton) of stone, I decided I needed to head to the local grocery store for a beer/frozen pizza run.

Upon returning to my car with the grocery cart an old man had just finished unloading his groceries into his car.

I was taking my cart to one of those grocery cart stalls, so I offered to take his as well. He looked to already be struggling. He was actually very gracious for such a small act of kindness.

The small ones are every bit as important, as far as I'm concerned.. 

[pathand]

If it's random and it's kind, it doesn't matter what the gesture is. Well done, sir.

[Midnight Rose]

The small ones are every bit as important, as far as I'm concerned.. 

Seconded.

This one made me feel good in the middle of being terribly lonely: Michael and I don't spend a lot of time apart, and when we have to, he invariably buys me flowers.   As happened when I went to Madison last week.  There was a very cute little bear that Bear  had delivered with it too (which, by the way, I've named "Mr. Madison").

Nope, that's not the random act.  This is: I was a bit sad about having to leave those beautiful flowers in my hotel room the next day - TSA frowning on carrying anything like that on airplanes, and all - so when I went to meet some of the folks I was in our conference with at the local watering hole, I took Mr. Madison and the flowers with me.  As I got there, one of the organizers of the conference was bemoaning how much trouble he was in with the wife for going out with us three days in a row.  Seemed like a win/win to me, so I gave him the flowers my honey sent me, to try to smooth things over with her.  Next day, he gave me a big thumbs up, so, mission accomplished.

I still have Mr. Madison, though.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Although it is a bit scary you name your stuffed bears , it was a very nice gesture to give your flowers away and put them to good use.

[Midnight Rose]

Although it is a bit scary you name your stuffed bears ,

You didn't name your stuffed bear?  Come on, fess up; I *know* you had one as a kid!

it was a very nice gesture to give your flowers away and put them to good use.

I'm a big believer in karma.  And in win/win situations.

[bubbajit]

I have been thinking about this since before Sofia was born. It is very heartbreaking, but I have to get it off my mind and no better place then here because I believe it belongs.

I am putting it in a spoiler, because it is about the loss of a child not mine and not someone I know (not really anyway).
I cannot express how this bothered me for a long time and one of the ways I coped was holding Sofia.

(Click to show/hide)

While I we were going through the last of the doctor apts. before Sofia was born, Mrs. Bubba had to be hooked up to one of those machines just to make sure the baby was ok. She was of course, but this is where the story starts. She was next to an Ultra sound room where a woman was just told her baby was not moving and had passed away. The woman is understandably crying upset everything you can think of and denying this well they come out of the room and are in the nursing reception area where Mrs. Bubba is hooked up. They are talking to the doctor askig all the normal questions, and Milena just wants to get out of there and finally does. She just wanted to let these people grieve and have some privacy, and the nurse finally unhooked her from the machine.
That night we had to go back to the hospital to have Mrs. Bubba induced.
I ended up staying at the hopsital and had to find a chair in the hallway to sleep on. There was a gentleman spread out on the small sofa, watching this poor excuse for a TV , but who cares I had a new baby coming to worry about.
We started talking and he ended up being on of the parents that had there baby pass away. I gave him my condolences of course and he proceeded to tell me his story. The baby boy as it turned out was at the same stage as Sofia 38 weeks, I was blown away. He kept opening up and telling me the boys name and how it was decided very early his wife picked the boys first name and he got to pick the middle name after his grandfather. How he had already been thinking about all the things he was going to do with his son. At this point we are both wiping away tears and it is still hard not to think about how devastating that would be to a parent.
This is why I think the story belongs in this thread.
It turns out he was not able to talk to anyone about this, because every time he would say something in front of his wife or her family they would start balling and he had to be the "strong one" for everybody else. He had moved to Canada and all his family was not here. He thanked me for listening and proceeded to wish me luck. I had to keep this from Milena for another 5 days because I knew how much the death of that baby bothered her.
I saw him and his wife the morning Sofia was born as I was coming back from making all the traditional phone calls.
He asked me how things went and congratulated me and mrs. bubba on the birth of Sofia
He was a good guy and I hope he gets to play with his child someday.

I just had to get this out to stop thinking about it.
Thx

[Midnight Rose]

That was such a bittersweet story, Bubba.  I know it had to be hard for you to hear that poor man's story, considering the stuff you and Mrs. Bubba had to endure to have baby Bubba.  Thanks for sharing that though, that was a very special kindness you gave to him when he needed it most.