Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes, all an act of service takes is sharing a talent or skill with another person.
Maybe, like in this first story, it's a simple song. Perhaps your talents lie in doctoring animal injuries or being able to take the time to recognize a parent. Whatever your abilities, it seems there is always a way to reach out and help others.
Every Monday morning, readers share their experiences with moments that made their day.
On music to cheer up a stranger:
Shannon M.
"Recently my 42-year-old niece was put in the hospital and told she had Stage 4 breast cancer.
"She is a single mom so this news and concern for her and her 7-year-old son put many of her family, friends and complete strangers in motion to help. My friend's daughter Shealyn inquired about a possible fundraiser at her new local Smith's grocery store in West Jordan.
"One of the managers there named Bruce offered to help with the fundraiser and to host a pizza party for my niece, her son and his friends when she came out of the hospital. He also paid her a personal visit to meet her at the hospital, bearing flowers and other gifts. He took his trumpet and played a song for just for her. I’m sure it was music from his soul to help another soul in need. Bless these people who step up for those who hurt."
On a small town of helping hands:
Amy C.
"Several years ago, my family of seven (now eight) was moving from eastern Colorado to St. George. We were about to pass Green River, and we didn’t really need fuel but decided to stop. While topping off the tanks, we realized one of the wheels on our horse trailer that was carrying three horses was about to come off. Had we stayed on the freeway, it would have been a disaster.
"We had just closed on our previous home, but the money from the sale wasn’t in our bank account yet, so money was tight. Everyone in that town was so nice and helpful. Some ladies from a horse boarding facility brought their trailer and took our horses (two of which were hard-to-handle mustangs). They boarded them for two nights, fed them and even doctored an eye injury on one of the horses.
"One morning, while my husband and some nice gentlemen were fixing the trailer, I took the five kids to the motel diner for breakfast. One of my teen sons wanted steak and eggs, but I had to explain to him that we couldn’t spend that much money. When the truck driver at the table next to us got up to leave, he put some money on our table and said 'let the young man have his steak and eggs.' His gift was enough to cover our entire meal.
"I’ve never forgotten the kindness the people of that small town showed our family. They are the reason I make an effort to pay it forward whenever possible."
On recognizing a parent's hard work:
Shela M.
"I was in Taco Time in Layton and saw a young couple with two girls and a boy. Their children were so well-behaved. If the children started talking too loud, they told them to keep it quieter. They made sure the children shared. They made meaningful conversation with the children and the toddler was not allowed to run around and make noise.
"I realize children can be noisy and irritating sometimes, but these parents had clearly taught their children what was expected of them in a social situation. On the way out, I complimented them on their behavior, and the 4-year-old was excited to tell us her name and inform us that she was almost 5. I felt that good parenting should be recognized."
On giving a hand:
Cynthia B.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the kind stranger who saved me from a potentially stressful shopping trip at Costco last month. It was pouring rain as I hurried to get my soaking wet 3-year-old and groceries into my car. I was cold and drenched and starting to become frustrated while struggling with a wet, slippery 55-pound bag of dog food when a stranger driving by stopped, got out of his car and braved the downpour to help. He didn't just stop at the heavy bag of dog food. He was soaked by the freezing rain as he finished loading the rest of my groceries into the back of my car, then rolled my cart to the cart return.
"I suffer from anxiety disorder and as I struggled to lift the awkward dog food bag, I felt I was on the brink of having a panic attack right there in the parking lot. This stranger's act of kindness helped me more than anyone can know."
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.
