Kindness

When you look at the news, be it, Facebook, Fox News, Twitter, or anywhere else for that matter, the majority that you see is either not true, or twisted by hatred, and/or misunderstanding. Every now and then you'll see someone doing something for someone else. For example; giving a homeless person some money or some food, helping someone cross the road, or saving a kid or an animal. It seems as though if the kind act is not caught on video and/or not seen by anyone to confirm such kind deed, then it doesn't count. But, people need to understand that good deeds/acts of kindness don't need to be put on display to make yourself feel good.

There has been a few times where I have helped people in the past, but not for recognition. When given the opportunity to help someone, if it is within my abilities, I will help, and I try not to ask for anything in return. The kindness that I have received was given without being asked for anything in return. One act of kindness that I received from a total stranger, was given to me on New Years day in 2018 and I will never forget the memory.

I was stationed in Okinawa for 2 years while serving in the Marine Corps. I was away from my family for a while at that point and I remember that I missed celebrating the holidays with them, but sometimes taking vacation time to go home and buying a round trip ticket from Okinawa can be quite pricey, especially during the holidays. I was sitting alone on a park bench on New Years Eve, wasting away the hours to New Years Day doing nothing, but watching the stars and the lights in the city. There were other people that came to sit down on the benches just to relax or take a breather from their party, but none of them would say a word to me. They would just talk amongst themselves, but one person saw me sitting alone. This one man turned my lonely New Years Eve into a happy one. He sat down and talked to me for hours, until it became New Years Day. I was so happy not to be alone, that all I could do was be grateful for the stranger's kindness and consideration. The memory of that one stranger, on that one day, just for those few hours, has been with me to this day.

Another act of kindness that I was shown, was by one of my best friends, and is still happening as I write this. I have known this person for about 4 years now, I first met him when I was stationed in Okinawa, and we have always had each others backs since the beginning. Although I never thought that he would ever agree to the question I had asked, but I was very happy and relieved when he did. The question I had asked was, "Can you help me take care of my daughter?" At this time, my friend was in his hometown, and my family and I were a few states away. I had told him my situation, and he agreed without hesitation. He flew from his home state to where my husband, our baby, and I were, and has been helping me since the first day he arrived, without a single complaint. He has gone above and beyond what I had asked of him. I only wanted him to help me with my daughter; feeding her, helping me with a few chores around the house, and that was it. My friend has taken it upon himself to help give me free time to take naps when he sees that I need them, to give me time in the day to do my hobby (making soaps), letting me fold the laundry without worrying about my daughter getting into things she shouldn't, and so much more. I couldn't ask for a better friend, and I don't know if there is any way I can ever repay his kindness in my lifetime, but I can't fully explain with words how grateful I am that he is helping me.