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SALT LAKE CITY — Making a difference only takes a moment.
Each week, we share stories of small moments that made a big difference in the lives of our readers, hoping to inspire others to be kind and make the world a better place.
On letting yourself be treated:
Jewels S.
“While buying my daughter shoes, I found a pair of red bejeweled high heels that screamed my name. Although they were marked down from their original price, I couldn't feel good about buying them. Later in the week, while out with my husband and daughter, she convinced us we should go inside the store. My husband had me try on the shoes and take them to the register.
"The salesperson, Michele, told us socks were on sale, so my husband picked up some for me. At the register I saw a pair of earrings that matched the shoes. After showing them to my husband I returned them to the rack with a sigh, and decided to put the shoes back as well. Michele asked, 'It's because you're a mom, right? Moms always feel guilty about spending money on themselves.' My husband and daughter urged me to let them buy me the shoes. Michele placed the earrings I had been looking at in the bag. Then she used her phone to discount everything, (even though the shoes and socks were already on sale), telling me, 'You deserve this.’ ”
On a family reaching out:
Amanda H.
“I was at the store with my 2-year-old and 6-month-old baby, trying to get a few groceries since we were out. I didn't have any money, and only a couple of WIC checks to use. One of them was for $6 worth of fruits and vegetables. When I was at the check-out line, I had to put aside some fruit because I was over the $6 limit. I paid for the rest of my groceries and left.
"As I was putting my children in the car, a little boy came running up to me with the bag of fruit I couldn't buy. He said his mom and dad wanted me to have it, and then ran off before I could say thank you. I was so speechless, as it is the first time anyone had ever helped me out. I want to make a special shout out to that family and thank them from the bottom of heart.”
On taking the time to stop:
Hailey H.
"Last summer my family was going to go to St. George for a vacation. We decide to bring our bikes along. The gas tank was low so we stopped by Costco to fill up.
"We arrived at Costco and as my dad got out to fill up the tank, this lady in a van screeched to a stop by where we were parked. As soon as she got out she said 'I'm chasing you down!' She then explained that my brother's bike had fallen off the bike rack, and bounced off the road. She had her son stay with it while she got us. My dad thanked her and tried to pay her, but she refused. I am so thankful for that lady and how determined she was to reunite the bike with us."
On helping with what you have:
Cara B.
"One day my husband and I bought some chairs from Lowes. When we brought them out to the car, we realized we'd have a hard time fitting them in. My husband tried every way he could think of to fit both chairs in, but he could only manage to fit one. While he was trying to come up with another plan, a woman with a truck drove up and said she would take them to our house for us.
"We were so grateful to this woman for taking the time and gas to drive all the way to our house to drop off our chairs. She even refused to take money for gas."
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.
