I’ve used several of your Ripple Kindness suggestions here in my room in the middle school where I work. Recently we’ve had a student diagnosed with bone cancer. This student is a very popular student, very conscientious about their studies, and comes from a fantastic family. read more →
My husband and I were in a restaurant, having just visited our gravely ill 7-month-old grandson in the hospital. We had a lot on our minds as we were told he would not live. That didn’t stop him though. read more →
My daughter and I caught the wrong bus in a strange district in another state while on holidays. I had no idea where it was going after a while and we were becoming worried. We were driving through bush and were the last people on the bus when the bus driver asked us where we thought we were going. It was dark now and he said we were on the wrong side of the Island. He was going home to tea so said he would drive us back to our hotel. read more →
My story of kindness is unique in that it involves many people and takes place over many years. It’s the story of a student of mine who I have seen grow into a fine young gentleman because of the kindness of others.
I first met Tony when he was five years old. He was enrolled as a kindergarten student in my special education classroom. His preschool teacher had already contacted me before his arrival and told me a lot about him. I knew that he was classified under a pervasive developmental disorder which meant that he showed a lot of characteristics typical of Autism. She shared with me all of his unique traits like how he often hid action figures in his pants, spoke by quoting movie lines and had a real aversion to anything academic. They really didn’t know what he was capable of because he hadn’t produced much up to that point. That would soon change. read more →
I substituted in first grade today. I taught it the first two years of my 35 year teaching career and realized I was an older kid teacher. But I go where I must these days.
There was one li’l boy who was ferocious and obstinate. I called on every strategy I knew from being a teacher-mom-of-sons, but to no avail. Finally and futilely as I sat next to him as he sobbed because I’d removed him from kicking people in the center and I blurted out what popped into my head. “Riley, may I give you a hug?” I asked. He bolted into my arms, snot and all, and held on for dear….something. read more →
When I read how the CEOs at the top of most charities are taking such ridiculously high salaries for themselves (some of them well over a quarter million), I was so disgusted I decided I wasn’t donating to the big companies anymore. Every time I see a collector for a charity I once believed in, a couple of pounds go into my own charity stash. Now, when I see someone in need, I buy whatever it takes to ease their way. read more →
I remember when I went to Christian Youth Training Camp out in Hickory Corners, MI to be a counselor. I didn’t know anybody there and everyone else did, all classmates from other Christian colleges. read more →
Today I heard a beautiful story about students showing pure kindness towards a peer with disabilities and I believe that sharing it will bring as much joy to you as it did to me.
There was a student at a high school level who was not only having a rough home life but also had autism. Despite his hardships, he came to school every day with a huge smile on his face and did his best to try to impress his teachers.
The kindness which always stays with me was in 1987 when we first arrived in Australia. Our container hadn’t arrived (I have no idea what delayed it) so we had nothing for our rented home in Willetton. read more →
I encountered an elderly lady who, at first seemed grumpy, grouchy and was very short but I’m a talker…and a listener lol. I simply sparked a conversation which, in turn, lasted over an hour! read more →
A couple days ago, after it had been snowing all day, a neighbor came in the store I work at a couple of hours before I was done with my shift and asked me if I was going to attempt to make our hill when I left work (I live on a road that has a HUGE hill right at the beginning of the road and unless it’s constantly taken care of you can’t get up it). I had told him yes and I was praying the town would have plowed by the time I got out. read more →
