SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes we are repaid for our kindness, other times, we just get the satisfaction of doing something nice.

Each week, we give readers the opportunity to share the kind acts they have seen or performed, hoping to reward the giver in a small way.

Shannon B.

On giving back:

“My wife was pregnant and still living in Phoenix, Arizona, when I was assigned to Hill Air Force Base after being on a remote assignment in Korea until October 1991. I would drive home to see her whenever I could get the time and money to make the trip.

"I had just returned home from four months in Saudi Arabia in April 1992 and was anxiously driving home to see her. I had just stopped for gas and was driving down the highway when I saw an elderly woman trying to change a tire on a red Cadillac sitting on the side of the highway.

“The woman said she was changing the tire because her husband, who was sitting in the car, had just gotten out of the hospital from heart surgery and wasn’t able to change the tire. I told her to sit in the car with her husband and I would be happy to change the tire.

"She and I talked while I changed the tire and I told her how I was driving to see my pregnant wife in Phoenix. She offered to pay me but I told her a man had once helped me and that I was just passing on the kindness as he had asked me to do. She asked for my address, which I gave her, so she could send my wife a thank you card. About a month after my first son was born we received a package in the mail. My wife opened it and inside was an incredibly beautiful handmade Christening gown for my son and a very heartfelt thank you card with news that her husband was doing well.

"I had not thought about it until that moment, but when I was changing the tire I had mentioned in casual conversation that my wife was Catholic and so she made the gown for my son. All three of my children have been christened in that gown. I will never forget that woman’s kindness though I am sure she is long gone now. I just wanted to do something nice to help someone in need, and it sure felt great afterwards. But to be honest, it ended up being me who received the kindness one hundred fold. Kindness is worth more than gold!”

Brad D.

Paying it forward:

"About a month ago while I was going through the Starbucks drive-thru in Taylorsville at about 5:30 in the morning, I was behind a police officer from Unified Police Department. I had ordered two coffees. As the officer pulled away, I pulled up to the window to pay my $12. I was told by the worker that the officer had paid for my order. I was speechless! Never have I had anyone do this. This small act of kindness made my day. Thank you officer for your service to this community."

Tyler M.

On a thoughtful gift:

"My son has struggles that are not apparent unless you know him. One of his Sunday School teachers asked my son to fold an origami crane for him and write his name on it. My son complied.

"Unbeknownst to us, my neighbor went on a two-week trip to China. While there he took photos while holding up the crane. When he returned he gave my son the crane back with all the photos. My son doesn’t fully appreciate the thoughtfulness, but it made my day and even my year. It made me want to look for opportunities to help those with needs that may not be that apparent."

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Uplifting

Read more stories that aim to uplift and highlight the good in the world in KSL.com's Uplifting section.

Terri H.

On giving the shirt off your back:

"My 77-year-old father is undergoing chemo treatments at LDS Hospital after a relapse of leukemia. A couple of weeks ago he was seated in the treatment room next to another man also receiving chemo. My dad noticed that this man was wearing a University of Utah shirt so he commented that he had attended the U. of U. as well.

"This other man had graduated 20 years after my dad did so they talked awhile about how things had changed at the U. in those 20 years. When the man was finished with his treatment he stood up and took off his shirt and gave it to my dad. When my dad told me this story I thought it was just such a sweet gesture and it made me think about the little ways we are all connected to each other, in both good and not-so-good ways."

Sara I.

On taking a moment to help:

“Recently I was at the Provo splash pad with the kids I care for. After a few long hours at the park, we made our way to my car. Upon reaching the vehicle, we found a flat tire.

“I struggled with watching a toddler plus two older siblings under 10 while attempting to get the spare from underneath the car alone.

“After nearly a half hour of failed efforts, a lady came and offered her help, in which she called her husband to come, but he got stuck in traffic. Another family pulled up and the husband started without hesitation to remove and replace the tire within minutes.

“I am so grateful he stopped and was able to help me with a tire while I focused on the kids in my charge. I may not be able to pay him back directly, but I am going to pay the kindness forward.”

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.

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