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SALT LAKE CITY — There are reminders of good all around us: from the take-a-penny, leave-a-penny cups at the gas station to the neighbor who always greets you with a smile.
Each Monday, we hope to share moments from our readers’ lives that made their day great. Whether it is a kind note from a loved one, an act of kindness or a person with an inspiring attitude, we want to hear about it.
David K.
On giving up time to help strangers:
“I helped a friend and her young family move over the weekend. I picked up the 26-foot U-Haul truck Friday afternoon and had two friends help load it clear full by late Friday night. The three of us planned to finish loading the beds the next morning and then unload it all the next day at the new house. We expected to spend most of our Saturday finishing the move.
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5 moments that made someone's day
Each Monday, we feature your stories about the goodness you see around you.“The next morning, two of us finished loading the truck. I drove the truck to the new house. When I got there, to my surprise, I found seven guys there ready to help unload the truck. I learned that one of my helpers, who went jogging that morning, told some fellow joggers about his plans to unload a moving truck later that day. With very little notice, they all pitched in and came to help willingly. They gave up their own Saturday morning plans to help someone out and did so with great attitudes. We unloaded that truck in just over an hour. With the afternoon now free, that made my Saturday.”
Amanda Niebergall
On embracing those around us:
“I was riding the public transit bus the other day and saw a young man stand up to give his bench to a mother with young children. He then sat down by an elderly woman and proceeded to talk with her the entire ride. As they got to the transit center, he held the woman's arm and helped her down the stairs as they got off that bus and onto another. It makes me so happy to see our young adults who are still willing to interact with people whom they are face to face with, instead of only the ones on their phones. It is moments like this that allow us to fear the future a little less and embrace the present moment a little more.”
Kristi Higgs
On helping a flustered parent:
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“Shortly after my second daughter was born, my husband and I decided that we needed to get a Social Security card, birth certificate, etc., for the new baby, and at the same time, get a replacement card for our 18-month-old daughter, as hers had been misplaced. My husband, having recently been laid off from work, volunteered for this task.
“He went down to the Social Security office on a weekday, thinking that the line would be shorter and he would have to spend less time trying to care for two children while getting the things done that needed to happen. He paid for one hour of parking, and went inside. Over two hours later, after standing in line with a crying baby and a crazy toddler running everywhere, he finally made it to the desk, where they told him that unfortunately they couldn’t order a new Social Security card for our oldest because he didn’t have any acceptable picture identification for her.
“Flabbergasted and at the end of his rope, he packed the kids up and left the building. When he got to the car, he found a welcome gift: a $50 ticket on the window of his car. He had been so concerned about losing his place in the incredibly long line that he forgot to renew the parking. He grabbed the ticket and stormed back into the building to pay it, feeling like he was having the worst day ever. On his way up in the elevator, he told his story to the man sharing the ride with them. After listening for a while, the man said ‘You know what, I’ve got this,’ and he proceeded to pay the ticket for my husband. This simple act of kindness and generosity turned one of the worst experiences into one of the best.”
Bart Spencer
On giving to strangers:
“A year or so ago, I was driving down 400 West going northbound just past the Jazz arena. I was waiting to turn into the parking garage with my right turn signal flashing. There was a person headed southbound attempting to turn into the same parking garage turning left. I waived them on in front of me to go ahead into the parking garage. They waived thank you and proceeded. When I got to the gate attendant to pay for my parking, he indicated that the person I had allowed to go ahead of me had paid for my parking. Seldom do we have an instant reward for a good deed from a stranger.”
Have you seen any moments of service or kindness? Do you want to share a story about something that made your day? Email a brief story (100 words or fewer) along with any photos or video to fheaton@ksl.com.
