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SALT LAKE CITY — Each person has the chance to make a difference in the world around them.
Whether it's a parent's words of wisdom, a friend's support or a stranger's generosity, anyone can reach out and make another person's life better.
Each week, we share these stories of kindness, hoping to make your week, too.
On a stranger's gift:
Kistina K.
"While down on our luck and working whatever job I could find to support myself and my daughter, a man came out of nowhere. We had coffee and he urged me to unload my burdens to him.
Related:
Make Your Week: 5 stories of kindness
Kindness can take the form of open arms sometimes. This week, we hear from a family with a special-needs child whose neighbors welcomed them after a rough move."When it was all said and done, he bought my daughter a much-needed computer for schoolwork, a beautiful TV for myself and gave me a considerable amount of cash. Then, just like that, he was gone. I don't know where he went or what happened to him. But there is not a day that goes by I don't thank my angel for his kindness."
On the lasting impact of thoughtful gifts:
Deb R.
"Twenty-five years ago, times were more difficult than my young family had ever experienced. My 40-year-old husband had been fired from his federal government job, told he would never work again due to a back injury received in Vietnam and had his third back surgery.
"I was substituting at the local school to help make ends meet. That winter my family and I were humbled and touched by many true acts of love and service. My family was living in a home rent-free (we paid rent when we could) and my children were eating free lunches. One day a young man arrived and unloaded a pickup truck load of wood. That wood heated our home the entire winter. Thanksgiving arrived, and we were brought a Thanksgiving box. That box supplemented our food bill for several meals. To this day, I am thankful for those who helped my family in our times of need."
On elevating a normal day:
Nicole W.
"My two friends and I went out to breakfast with our three kids. We were thinking it was like any other day — our kids were getting messy, we were chasing their hands and faces with wipes, and barely catching a bite ourselves. When we were finishing up the waitress came and told us the nice ladies sitting at a table nearby had seen us with our kids and wanted to pay for our meal. We were so thankful! Inspires me to pay it forward!"
On the gift of a tank of gas:
Robyn C.
"Every year, a few days before Christmas, my brother goes to the local gas station and prepays for someone's gas. He goes in the store and prepays, then leaves a note taped to the pump saying 'Merry Christmas.' Then he goes and parks by the store to watch and see who the lucky person is that receives it. We were able to participate in it this last Christmas and the look on people's faces are priceless. So proud of my brother to help others out at that time of year."
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 crosenlof@ksl.com.
