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19 Seemingly 'Small' Moments That Restored Our Faith in Humanity in 2019

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Sometimes it feels like you can’t open a newspaper or log on to social media without being inundated with sad, frustrating stories. It’s so easy to feel a sense of darkness and doom, like there’s no one out there bringing positivity to the world. But that’s just not true!

Every day, people show compassion and love for others with large and small acts of kindness — whether it’s as simple as holding a door for a neighbor, or as life-changing as helping a friend pay their bills during a difficult time. As the late Fred Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

No matter what negativity is going on in the world, there are always Good Samaritans out there doing their part to bring a smile to a friend’s (or stranger’s!) face.

In that spirit, we wanted to know what seemingly small acts of kindness our Mighty community witnessed or experienced in 2019 that helped restore their faith in humanity. Check out the heartwarming stories they shared below.

We hope these stories will serve as a reminder that, if you look closely, you may find kindness in places you never expected. With 2019 coming to a close, let’s reflect on the moments that made us feel hopeful for the future and grateful for the thoughtful friends and strangers we’ve met. Share in the comments below the moments that restored your faith in humanity in 2019.

Here’s what our Mighty community shared with us:

1. “The first concert I had to attend with my cane, I was one dollar short on what it would take to get the T-shirt I wanted because they had no credit card machine, and the man and woman sitting next to us overheard and insisted I take their dollar so I could get the shirt. It was so sweet and a little thing to them but huge to me!” — Emmy M.

2. “I didn’t have the strength in my hands to open something for my 4-year-old niece and she just said, ‘It’s OK Aunty Siani, it doesn’t matter.’” — Sian S.

3. “The other day my best friend forced me into a rolling cart (she has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and a thousand issues like I do) as I had my neck brace, not my knee [brace]. We ended up splitting up, and I finally found what I was looking for, barely in my reach, when a couple stopped and asked if I needed help. I’m young, and though I look sick to those that know me, others are quick to judge. These small moments, those are the ones that stay with you.” — Breezy N.

4. “A couple gave up seats on a busy train to my two children who are both autistic. They were getting increasingly upset as was I. It was my fault for messing up the booking. I have fibromyalgia and anxiety. At the moment of their kind gesture, I burst into tears. We’ve had so many travel issues over the years this was a huge deal to me.” — Tracy W.

5. “I had a bad fall outside and couldn’t get up as my legs became useless and a lovely chap came and picked me up off the floor. Angels come in many forms.” — Becky M.

6. “A dear friend from high school sent me flowers with a lovely note. This while battling breast cancer herself. She calls me her ‘Shero.’ The flowers lasted for weeks, bringing me a smile every day.” — Lyn E.

7. “I was at a rock festival on Saturday night and I misplaced my bank card. Went back Sunday to a totally different area and stage to get set up for the day and asked one of the event helpers where the lost and found was. I told her what happened and where. She asked my name and color of the card. When I told her, she said it is there, I was the one logging in the lost and found stuff last night. Now how crazy is it that I lost it in a totally different area on many many acres of land with like roughly 50,000 people and it all lined up that I asked this lady! Thank you to the Good Samaritan that turned it in.” — Deedee N.

8. “I was living in emergency accommodation in a hostel the past two years, which has deteriorated my health. I’ve just moved into permanent home, the council and social services refused to help me move in any way even though I’m bedbound, more so in the winter. I was extremely lucky that my mum and her husband took time out of their busy schedules to help me move, and get me settled as much as they could. If they hadn’t I don’t know what I would have done.” — Kate N.

9. “My friend knows that I like to help others. I put out a plea for someone to buy a blanket I had crochet so that I could buy some things for a dog rescue. While everyone else was silent. She spoke up and bought two blankets from me.” — Acadia M.

10. “My friend from middle school reconnected with me through Facebook and found out I am not well. She has made a point to be here for me when no one else is. She brings me my favorite cookies to cheer me up. She makes plans with me to get me out of the house and isn’t embarrassed when I can’t wear anything but sweats and a T-shirt. If I am so unwell that I can’t leave the house, she comes over instead. She texts me through bad pain spells in the middle of the night. She even researched ulcerative colitis and asks me questions about my personal experience so she can understand. These things are not little to me. They mean more than I can ever express with words.” — Marisa S.

11. “We were waiting to be seated at a crowded restaurant when another family walked in with a daughter about my son’s age. My son then got up and offered the girl his seat. The father walked up to me and congratulated me on being an amazing parent to teach my son such manners. I almost cried. I needed that reassurance.” — Alyson S.

12. “A few days ago I was the recipient of a Starbucks pay-it-forward at the drive-through. My total was $24 and they paid the whole thing! I’ve never had that happen before. I paid for the person behind me, but I got off pretty light since theirs was only $5.” — Kayla B.

13. “Tonight at my wife’s transgender support meeting, the other people helped me and asked questions about how they could help someone like me and asked about my illness, etc. Made me drinks and got me food. I had my own waiters tonight. People like those tonight have restored my faith in humankind.” — Sarah G.

14. “My daughter lost her wallet in a town an hour away by leaving it on top of the car putting my grandson in his car seat. A gentleman found it in the middle of a busy intersection and drove all the way to our house the next day to return it to her.” — xenabee01

15. “We have had a power outage in Kentucky recently for hours. When it was getting dark I left home running an errand of  ‘Let’s find dinner at a place with power.’ An anonymous neighbor left a stack of chem lights with a nice fabric bowtie around it at our front door. Thank you whoever you were!” — Ladyravenandcrow

16. “I was telling my 27-year-old son about a bad day and he asked if I needed a hug? I only hug my husband and two sons and boy did I need one.” — PJ

17. “I caught a young teen staring as I struggled in the bulk section (my hands weren’t cooperating this day, winter affects them) when even though she was terrified to ask in her curiosity she jumped to help me.” — Breezy N.

18. “Getting closer to my friend Kristen. I hope she knows how much she means to me, how much she has helped me, and how much I love her!” — Vienna L.

19. “The last behind me in the market line, paying part of my bill because my brain fog tripped me up… the kids that helped us getting cars out of snowbanks. Everybody that gives me rides so I don’t have to walk. The movers that drive an hour away to help my son move two pieces of furniture down the road, no charge. So many more… May they be blessed.” — Agrien

For more Mighty stories about beautiful acts of kindness, check out these links:

Originally published: December 3, 2019
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