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SALT LAKE CITY — People can surprise you.
Sometimes, we get in ruts thinking about how bad the world is or how trying certain people are and we fail to acknowledge the many, beautiful moments of goodness around us. Each week, we take a moment to reflect with our readers on the wonderful things people are doing for one another.
On letting people share their story:
Ginger S.
"After my dad died I was touched by a very small gesture. This gesture came from an unlikely source: the printer who printed the cards for my dad's memorial. While I was approving the proof, to my horror, I teared up. The printer stopped what he was doing and asked me to tell him a little about my dad. That meant the world to me. If anything positive came out of my dad's death it's the fact I now know to ask questions about people's loved ones who have passed away."
On not expecting anything in return:
Ryan L.
"My wife and I were exiting the economy lot at the Salt Lake International Airport late Friday evening. I proceeded to the credit line and inserted my credit card to pay the $72 for the eight days we were away when the card machine rejected my credit card. I fumbled for a minute thinking that perhaps I had inserted my card incorrectly. Next, I pulled out my debit card to see if that would work. It also was rejected.
"I pushed the button to call the attendant to see what was going on because I knew that there was nothing wrong with my cards. I explained my situation and she suggested I pull back and proceed to a cash line where we could further diagnose the issue. At that moment, a young man who was waiting behind me got out of his car and approached my car. I thought that he was going to come over and express his frustration for the delay. I gave him a brief explanation of my problem at which point he said he would like to pay the $72 I owed for parking. I was taken back for a minute and told him that I would work out the issue at the other window. He insisted that he would love to pay the balance. After several attempts to turn him down, I finally relented. He put in his credit card and it worked fine. I didn't know what to say. I asked his name to which he replied Eli. I then asked for his last name saying that I would track him down in hopes to repay. He said Perez but he left quickly enough I couldn't get any more information from him.
"What he did was a stark contrast to the way I had spent the last week in Italy protecting myself from pick-pockets and was a wonderful welcome home for two tired people."
On roadside assistance:
Trinity
Related:
Helping a grieving family, other moments that made your day
Here at KSL, we believe people have good in them and everyone can help make their community better. On Mondays, we feature stories of times people have reached out to those around them and lifted them up."On the 4th, I was out for a cruise on my new motorcycle enjoying the beautiful day. As I zoomed down the road my bike began to shudder and before I knew it the engine died and I was on the side of the road. I sat there hunched over my bike with a screwdriver in hand trying to see what I could do to get it going again.
"Within minutes, I had not just one person asking if I needed a ride or assistance but multiple people. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people would go out of their way for a stranger. Thanks to everyone who offered help and got me home! People rock when given the chance!"
On paying it forward:
Jaimee S.
"This past August my husband and I went down to Draper to get some last-minute baby items, as I was due any day. We stopped at Texas Roadhouse to eat before we started home again.
"As we were finishing up our waitress told us our bill had been paid for by a family sitting next to us. We were completely shocked and so grateful for this kind act. We went to say thank you on our way out. She told us that when she was pregnant she had received a meal that was paid for and wanted to pay it forward. My husband and I are looking forward to the day we can pay it forward to another new mom-to-be!"
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.
