the random kindness of people

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Bugs
Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

We vent alot about the stupid or inconsiderate things that people say/do.  This week I was floored by  some random kindness (those that are my facebook peeps know about this already).

As some of you know, I've been unemployed since the end of September.  As a single parent the thought of living on unemployment alone  is frightening.  We're doing somewhat OK...the bills are being paid, but not much extra for things like..oh...food?!  LOL

The other day I got a card in the mail with no return address.  It was postmarked Minneapolis, so I'm pretty sure it was from somebody local.  The card had no signature, no handwriting.  Just the words on the card that said "Just wanted you to know God put you on my mind today".  Included in the card was a $100 gift card to Cub (grocery store).   It brought tears to my eyes that somebody would spend that much money on us.  DS has been so good regarding not buying certain favorites as they are too much money.  It was so fun to be able to let him get a few of those.

Feel free to add to this with your experiences. :)

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  • tamgam
    tamgam Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2010

    Bugs- I do not know you but am so glad you recieved this gift of caring from someone who does.  True kindness is from people who do not need recognition- they are just being good for good's sake.  I firmly believe that what goes around comes around so that must mean you deserved it!  Enjoy the love! 

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  • Mamita49
    Mamita49 Member Posts: 538
    edited February 2010

    bugs, You got me tears.............

    I dont have a story like that, but I work with small children, and let me tell you.....

    They come-up and give me hugs, it does not matter if I have a wig, or if I lost a breast, or if my eye-brows are fake, my group of kids are so true, so full of love and grateful for giving happy moments.

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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2010

    Bugs,

    That was so nice of whoever did that for you. I just luv these kind of stories. God provides in some of the most unusual ways sometimes. Hugs, Mazy

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2010

    Bugs,

    I had no idea you were going through all this!  Your story brought tears to my eyes.  Thank God for people like the person that did this for you, and thank you for sharing it with us.  Sometimes it's easy to remember all the bad stuff that's happening out there, and forget that there are a lot of kind people.

    I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this.  With you being a single parent, I'm sure it must be frightening.  You will be in my prayers, Bugs!  What did you do for a living? 

    Love

    Bobbie

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited February 2010

    I had just had Chemo and was having some issues with shortness of breath due to a bad cold - flu thing.  I had to stop 2 times in a short walk to sit while husband picked up my prescriptions as I was so out of breath.  This lovely women walked up to me took my hand and gave me a squeeze and said I will pray for you everyday and I know you will make it, I had breast cancer too.  She said it with such strong certainty when I was losing mine, with such kindness and love!  I will never forget her! 

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    Bugs, I am so happy for you.  I too vent all the time about the bad things and really dont spend enough time on the good.  Thanks for reminding me to shut up and be thankful.  Yeah Yeah I know

    I have had MANY things to help my family.  The one that sticks out the most is when I was pleading for local friends to help on Facebook, an amazing woman packed up snacks pre bagged for my kids for school, some toys for the kids, beautiful crafts and LOVE!  I was amazed!  It touched me and made my day.  I keep the shawl on my couch downstairs, and the blanket that I was trusted with on my bed.  I see them everyday, and I love them each day like it was the first time I saw them.  

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Bugs - what a lovely thing to have happened.

    I have had several people I hardly know do lovely things for me. A friend of my MIL knitted me a lovely blanket when I was going through Chemo, I snuggle with it every night.

    Yep, there certainly are some wonderful, generous people out there. 

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  • Magister105
    Magister105 Member Posts: 73
    edited February 2010

    It is the unexpected kindnesses that get me. My first day back as a teacher of sophomores was pretty terrifying for me. I hadn't seen them in 4 weeks, I was bald with a wig, no breasts, and compression sleeves for lymphedema. I looked radically different than I had before Christmas. Teaching is so PUBLIC --- you are always being looked at! And by teenagers! To say I was apprehensive would be an understatement.

    So I had a very frank discussion with them about what was going on with me. I let them ask any questions they wanted. They were so loving and gentle and funny. We laughed! I told them to tell me if my wig was slipping and they came up with a hand signal they would give me so they didn't have to embarass me by telling me. They told me they wanted me to have eyes tattoed on the back of my head so they could brag that their teacher had eyes in the back of her head. They told me the Michael Jackson look in neutral tan (the compression gloves) wasn't working for me and they were going to "bedazzzle" me a pair! The best complement of all: when we moved on into the actual class material, one of them said, "See, you haven't changed -- you're still working us to death!" Several came up and hugged me as they left class. You hear all these bad things about adolescents and their selfishness -- but they did more to heal me in an hour and a half than anything else has. I am grateful. I just wanted to share their goodness with you all.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited February 2010

    Thats amazing Buggs-inspiring as well!

    All of my neighbors got together and have been cooking dinner for me every other day while I go through TAXOL. Most of them I don't know and never met until now.

    When I had my baby I got gifts and cards fom so so many people -it was amazing and really touched my heart to know so many were praying for us.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2010

    Wow, Magister...your story just made me teary eyed.  Bobbie, I am in the purchasing/supply chain field.  The company had to let go of it's higher paid employees and sadly, they are down to 4 employees, 2 managers and 1 owner.  I think they should maybe look at the top level first...but hey, lol.  I'm just hoping they stay in business long enough for me to keep COBRA til I get a job.

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  • amoccia53160
    amoccia53160 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2010
    LaughingIt may not be politically correct but..God does provide!! There i said it. He really does.  When I was first diagnoised 3 months ago my car broke down and child support stopped completely. I am also a single mother.  My coworkers took up a collection and sent me a check for $1,000. for Christmas gifts and to get my car fixed.  Talk about timing.  I cried for a week every time I thought about how much I was cared for.  Now go food shopping today and have fun!! xxoo Annette
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  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited February 2010

    I have had such great support from my friends and family but I will never forget Christine from this board sitting with me at my first infusion and a girl I met at rads bringing me flowers at my last appt.

    ml c

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Bugs - I had no idea you were struggling this way. What a wonderful gift from someone who really cares more about giving than recognition.  Thank you for sharing!

    Right about the time I started treatment my DH business really slowed up and we were very fortunate to have some guardian angels looking over us and surprise us with gifts that helped us tremendously.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited February 2010

    Bugs,

    I beleieve such random acts of kindness, are not really "random" .

    There is much goodness in the world, and you are most deserving!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited February 2010

    I've been so blessed! When I got sick from chemo, some friends chipped together to buy me a juicer so that I could get nourishment easier.

    When I lost my hair, my office team photoshopped a group picture of themselves with bald heads.

    When I mentioned to someone in another state that I had trouble with dry mouth, she sent me a whole box of Harry Potter lollipops and told me to pretend they had "magical" powers.

    One of my favorites: when I was first diagnosed, my stepdaughter invited her dad and me to lunch. She secretly had asked everyone I knew to order tee shirts saying "Cancer You Picked the Wrong Broad" and send pictures to her of themselves wearing them. She then created a big poster of all my friends and relatives from around the country wearing that shirt. Plus she surprised us at the lunch with an entire group of people all wearing the shirt. Both my husband and I cried like babies.

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited February 2010

    Bugs,  You have given all of us a wonderful gift by sharing this special event in your life.  Thanks.  

    We tend to forget that there is so much goodness in this world, then are surprised when it is directed at us.  For me it was the wife of someone who used to work with my husband.  She lives in another state, I never even met her, yet she mailed me small packages regularly throughout my treatment.  Each gift came with a personal note, telling me that she was praying for me, offering words of encouragement and caring.  Her gifts were things like hats, scarves, candy, and her husband sent me a t-shirt he had worn when they were participating in a BC support event.  My favorite package turned out to be a pink monkey.  Pink is not my color, especially after having BC, but I love that sweet pink monkey to this day.  I, of course, thanked her for her kindness and generosity.  I will never know why she bestowed such kindness on me.  I have never met her to this day, but I will never forget what she did for me.  It kept me in touch with someone who understood, and that made all the difference.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    i found a ladies Louis Vuitton purse in a grocery parking lot once.. it was loaded with cash.. about 800 bucks.  i didn't want to leave it the grocers, so dug in her stuff, found her number and talked with her husband.  I took 25 cents for the phone call.  He offered to give me a dollar when i brought it over and i said no thanks.

    At that time we had just taken out a loan to build our house (current one, 14 years ago).  We were BROKE.  I think i had 11 dollars to last the whole month.  I was sitting on my front porch with my then 1 year old first son, and this white cadillac pulls  up.  Lucille (and I remember her name because she lived on Lucille Lane) got out and gave me 100 dollars.  Talk about timely.  We became friends of a sort.  She had Alzheimer's later on and always remembered me when I went to her garage sales.. (same ol' stuff month after month).. she never let me pay for anything.

    Another time when i was in my twenties I stopped to help a 90+ year old man who had a flat tire.  After changing the tire, he ceremoniously pulled 2 quarters out of his change purse.  I said THANK YOU very much... an I was serious.. I think I bought some cigarettes with the dimes I had in my purse.    He was totally serious.. stuck in the 30s or something.  .. such a dear.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2010

    I love reading  these! 

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  • Wonderland
    Wonderland Member Posts: 3,288
    edited February 2010

    Bugs,

    I am in tears after reading your post. Thanks for sharing your story. You have touched someone's soul and that person wants you to know it in an unannounced way.

    You must be a very special lady.

    Wonderland

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  • cubsfan
    cubsfan Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2010

    I think it is wonderful that so many people do wonderful acts of kindness for people.

    this past Christmas I gave to my immediate family, sisters, niece, nephew, daughters and son in law (11 in all, ages 16-54) a date book with everyday of the year in it.  I asked them all to do one act of kindness or a good deed everyday for someone and put it in the book.  We get together the last Sunday of the month for dinner and after diner we share what we want from the book.  It is amazing what tey have done for others,   I explained they are doing for others but in the long run it will be the best gift they give themselves.  I told my daughter and son in law they should keep their books and one day their kids would love to look at them and see how thoughtful their mom and dad were.  It has been great and we love sharing our stories.  It is a Christmas gift that keeps on giving!!!!   :)

     Nancy  

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