Apparently, there's a whole lot of kindness going on out there.
Dozens of readers responded to an article in the July 11 Local section telling of anonymous good deeds people have been doing for one another.
Some excerpts:
The best medicine
I'd been through an extremely difficult time in my life and my finances were really tight. I needed a prescription filled one day and went to the downtown Bothell Rite-Aid to pick it up. The co-pay was $25, and my debit card was declined. The stress I was under was enormous, the need for the meds was urgent, and that was the last straw ... I burst into tears, not knowing how I was going to function without the required medication.
A kind younger woman behind me stepped up to the counter and gently comforted me, and before I knew it, took care of my prescription with her own purchases and handed me the bag. I'll never forget her kindness. It truly made a difference in my life! Small or large, I try to pay it forward any time I can.
— Colleen Schauble, Bothell
Helping the hurt
Last week, I was involved in a cycling crash just off of East Lake Sammamish Parkway ... going over my handlebars face-first into the pavement. A cracked helmet, bleeding head and broken tooth were all immediately apparent.
Without hesitation a kind neighbor walked up and called 911, got ice on my face, and offered his car to get me to the emergency room in Issaquah. The Samaritan's offer made it possible for a speedy trip to the ER. ...
This sort of selfless caring is what keeps my faith in humanity.
— Tyler Davidson, Kirkland
Flagman, we salute you
During this last spring, there were eight of us senior women having our usual Tuesday lunch at the Cozy Corner restaurant in Bothell.
Our waitress came over to us when we had finished our lunch and told us a young man had just paid our entire bill! I had noticed earlier a young man in an orange flagman's vest sitting in a booth near our table.
Our waitress told us he was the person who had practiced this random act of kindness.
I often think of that young man, and we have frequently mentioned his kindness. I hope that he knows that we were very touched by his stretch of the extra mile.
— Elly Worden, Mukilteo
The meter feeder
I was greatly surprised in Seattle one day when I got to my car to find a flyer on my windshield which stated someone had fed the parking meter to keep me from getting a ticket. As I am handicapped and have parking privileges, I would not have gotten a ticket. But the coins were not wasted. I felt really happy for days to think that someone would do that for a complete stranger.
— Lura Hungar, Kelso
Drive-by kindness
A few years ago I was getting in line for the drive-through at McDonald's. It was a few days before Christmas so people were rushing around to get their business done. About the time I pulled up to get in line a taxi pulled up from the other direction. I signaled at him with a smile to go first as I thought I'm sure he is in a bigger hurry than I am. When I got to the pay window the young McDonald's employee was grinning. He said "the guy in front of you just paid for your lunch."
I quickly looked ahead and could see that the cab driver was looking in his review mirror for my response. I smiled at him and waved. It was such an amazingly great feeling to have someone do something so random. All I had done was show a little courtesy and patience while waiting in line, and in return I was treated to a very nice reminder of the meaning of Christmas.
— Julie Gray-Dow, Edmonds
Made her cry — happily
Last summer, I went through the Starbucks drive-through in Issaquah. My newborn daughter was SCREAMING in the backseat, inconsolable. As a new mom, I was frazzled and just wanted a simple cup of coffee. I hadn't slept in weeks.
As I pulled up to the window, the cashier told me that the driver of the minivan in front of me had heard my daughter crying and had paid for my coffee. She had told the cashier to tell me she had "been there." It honestly made me cry and made my day. I have told everyone about it and look for opportunities to repay the favor some day.
— Stephanie Kennedy, Bellevue
Many hands, light work
I saw some old folks trying to put in a walkway of paver stones while riding my bike. As I stopped and approached to give a hand, out of nowhere four or five other people also approached to help. All of us together got the job done in 15 minutes.
These kinds of things happen a lot around here. It's one of the reasons I enjoy living in Bellingham so much.
— Scot Ranney, Bellingham
