Practicing empathy and 4 other acts of service

Practicing empathy and 4 other acts of service

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SALT LAKE CITY — With the change in seasons, more opportunities open up to help people in different ways. We can see the leaves that need raking, the bushes that need trimming or maybe the swamp cooler that needs winterizing.

This season, I hope we all take some time to look around our neighborhoods and help out however we can.

Below are several examples of people who helped out when they saw a need, and the kind of reaction it elicited in the receiver. We share these stories every Monday, hoping to inspire people to reach outside of themselves and make the world a little brighter. Read on to see how people help year-round.

On serving out of empathy:

Brenda F.

"My mother is 93, has dementia and can barely walk or talk, but she loves to dress up and go for rides. With a borrowed wheelchair I can push her in a store and pull the shopping cart, but it is exhausting.

"We went to WinCo recently, and after purchasing my groceries (fully perspiring then) I began to push my mother’s wheelchair and pull my cart to the exit.

Share your story with us:
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.

"I passed a couple who were bagging their groceries and I smiled at them. Then I heard the woman say, 'Help her, Mike.'

"Mike grabbed my cart as he said, 'Let me help!'

"He pushed my cart while I used my remaining energy to push Mom’s chair to my car.

"I thanked him for his kindness, to which he replied, 'We know what you are going through. We cared for my mom in her late years. It’s not easy.'

"I was so grateful that they saw my need and unselfishly rescued me with kind and genuinely reassuring words."

On returning the favor:

Shad H.

"The other day I witnessed a little girl, maybe 7 or 8, buying some treats and a little balloon game at my local gas station and counting out her pennies on the counter. I was next in line, so I asked her grandmother if she saved all the money by herself. She told me she did, so I told her I would love to pay for her toys so she can keep saving for something awesome.

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"They were reluctant at first, but I insisted and eventually she let me pay for her stuff and mine. She looked up almost in tears and said, 'Thank you mister' and her Grandma just winked and said, 'Now you can really save and get something amazing for yourself.' I only said, 'You're welcome. Someone once bought me some candy when I was little and only had like 12 cents, I remember it like it was yesterday.'

"Then, later that week someone paid for my gas at the same station, over $100 to fuel my truck. What an amazing feeling that was. I am definitely going to pay it forward."

On doing what's right:

Dena R.

"Recently, while making deliveries at work, my 19-year-old son found a wallet in a parking lot. In the wallet were several credit cards and four or five forms of ID.

"My son’s work hours have been cut considerable lately due to lack of work. He very easily could have used those cards to put gas in his car and buy lunch. However, he brought the wallet home to his dad to see if he could track down the owner. My husband called the bank of one of the credit cards, gave the bank his contact info and the bank was able to get in touch with the owner of the wallet.

"We always think our kids will do the right thing when we’re not watching, but it was nice to know that we had instilled these values in our son."

On shaping a community:

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Natasha A."As my husband was leaving work after a long day, he saw a man carrying a spare tire along the busy road in the 90-degree weather. The man was a big guy with tattoos and seemed a little intimidating. However, my husband asked if he needed a ride and the stranger was surprised but gladly accepted the offer. As they got talking in the car, the man said had just recently moved into the area and on several occasions people noticed he needed help and they stepped in to help him without hesitating. It’s always great to hear that people are looking out for each other."

On honesty:

Patrick

"We had an incredible tender mercy of one family's absolute kindness and honesty. My wife had been shopping and returned home and was helping me with some organizing outside when a car with a family pulled up to our house. I went up to them to help them with the directions I thought they might need when they reached out the window and handed me my wife's wallet and our checkbook. They said they had found it on the road and were returning it. We didn't even know it was missing! I was able to thank them when they handed it to me, but it was so quick and they were driving away before we could really thank them for their kindness and honesty. I wish I could thank them more, I hope they read this and know how very grateful we are."

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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Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

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