Who's been unexpectedly kind to you this year, or at any time?

A lovely young man called James who cleans for me but is now my friend. When my husband died last August he came round straight away (I have no family) to be there for me. He went out to buy me an air fryer (I paid for it of course) because I'd mentioned I wanted one now I was cooking for one. I know if I ring him anytime if I needed anything he would come round, although I don't take advantage of this. He encouraged me to put up my Xmas tree this year when I was feeling low, and couldn't be bothered. He and his partner took me to a Xmas fair.

Also, the man who sometimes fixes my computer, I hardly know him personally,but when my printer was broke and I couldn't print out my husband's eulogy he came straight round and fixed it for me for free

We hear so much about the badness in this world, but lets always remember the majority of people are good.

Thank you MissAdventure for starting this wonderful post.

I think everyone could do with a James, BA69 He sounds a real gem.
Also, your computer man reminds me, when I needed to provide copies of medical stuff when I was first not well.

I wasn't even well enough to go and stand in the library and do reams of photocopying, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it.

I asked on the nextdoor site, and a total stranger let me go and use her copier, while I sat down and had a cup of tea.

She really did me such a massive favour, when I really needed it.

Just the other day, I was sat in the hotel lounge, in a lot of pain, surrounded by people out for coffees and christmas lunches with friends and family. My back was very painful, and this is an old listed building so no lifts. All the staff are very helpful and do their very best for me but it was a bad morning and I felt very alone, with no end in sight as to when I could go home. I had had to move rooms for the third time as naturally the hotel was booked weeks ago and they had to move me about , which was still better than having nowhere to go!!
My bathroom at home had had an undetected leak from the pipe behind the toilet which the tiles had hidden. A very kind plumber who was supposed to be doing a job at home, came straight out to me as I could not hear any water running and only a damp carpet made me aware there was something wrong. His plan was just to find the leak and turn the water off until it could be sorted. It ended up with the complete bathroom having to be taken out. I was stood at 2pm with no toilet, no hot water and total chaos everywhere. Nowhere to go as friends away and DIL and GS got covid. Eventually got a room in a hotel via booking.co. as there was no available rooms anywhere .After the first week I was able to book direct with them but have been there for more than 8 weeks now. The bathroom had to be sanitized and driers took 3 weeks to get it to the state that it could be worked on. This kind plumber fitted in with what was happening and has only been able to begin last friday He was working here until 10pm, done everything he could to help, got everything he needed asap, but we were waiting for the seat for the shower which only came today and the handrails., which needed to be at the right height. Last night he had persuaded his electrician friend to come and wire stuff up so that it would be useable today. He has been here and done all the measurement and fitted it all , being very patient as I had to try sitting and standing and with a bad back it takes a long while.So I have been very blessed with his good work and lovely attitude . But the little thing that I was going to talk about was that a couple who come every week to the hotel for coffee and to sometimes meet friends for lunch , came in that day. "You still here? Are you staying for christmas? " they said. I told them what was happening and that I might need to see if there was a stable that I could stay in - there was a precedent for that I know. ! So we chatted and then they met their friends and I said good bye. A few minutes later a waiter came with a very nice coffee and put it down on the table. I said , No sorry I havent ordered coffee and he said that this kind couple had paid for a coffee and asked him to bring it with their good wishes and hope that I would be home soon. I have never met them before I went to the hotel so it was such a kind gesture and not only was the coffee very nice I was warmed by their kind thought which with the plumbers good efforts are helping me keep going.

What a lovely story madeleine45, this goes a long way towards restoring my faith in humanity. But what mess you have been in, must have been stressful. Hoping you have a peaceful Christmas in your own home 🌺🌺🙏🏾

Hope you're home soon Madeleine45. What a time you've had. Very nice of that kind couple.

Me too, Madeleine

And Mouse I missed your post until just now.
Are you feeling better now?

A neighbour who had been friendly with my husband but I hadn’t known, knocked on my door after seeing me with my arm in a sling. I’d fractured my shoulder and was very restricted for minths. He called every day to walk slowly with me and my little spaniel. He fixed the hose pipe. He took my bins out for about 4 months till I could use my arm.
My dog trainer came as soon as I got home from hospital and boarded my lab for months. Yes I paid but half her usual fee. My dog was loved and cared for - the physio/doc very clear I couldn’t safely handle that huge daft yiung dog, plus I had abdominal surgery as soon as I was fit enough post fracture. He’s home and doing good
My daughters were beyond anything I could have expected during a tough time

Some of these little kindnesses are pretty big...

I just remember the kind colleague of my Dad's who just quietly turned up and looked after my sister's garden after her husband was killed. He never rang the bell or anything just got on with cutting the grass and trimming the large hedges.

Unsung heroes.

Oh Madeleinewhat an awful time you’re having. I’m pleased you’ll soon be back in your own home and this will all be behind you.
So nice of that couple to buy you coffee. Also it seems you’ve found a good, kind plumber.
Lots of kindness around to get you back in your house for Christmas.

My three sons have been brilliant during a very difficult time with my poorly DH.They ring most days to make sure we are ok and one of them always comes with us to important hospital appointments.They have given me tremendous support and I count myself very lucky.

My neighbours have been incredibly kind and thoughtful during my husband’s sepsis encounter. They are always lovely but their thoughtfulness has been quite overwhelming.

Of course my family have been there, but that was no surprise.

Coincidentally I've spent time today trying to write some doggerel to go with the box of Heroes chocs that I intend to leave outside the door of my neighbours atChristmas.
A few months ago , thanks to a faulty valve in my upstairs loo, it didn't stop the flush, And it was 4 hours before I knew there was a problem, so I had a tsunami of water coming through my kitchen ceiling. And this was late evening. They helped me turn off the water, then set to getting rid of the flood in the kitchen whilst I was trying to contact my insurance company. They also had the sense to see that the ceiling was bulging and the husband pierced a hole in the ceiling to let out water more quickly.

Here is the doggerel that needs polishing some more..particularly the last line ..
On a dark Autumn evening I went to climb up to bed
When I heard a rainfall, rather too close to my head.
It looked like a tsunami,, wave after wave descending
From the kitchen ceiling, and so a flood impending

Panic attacked, but I knew I must act
And turn off the water right now
I looked at the switch but couldn’t decide
As I just didn’t have the know how

So I ran out for help, though it was rather late,
And knocked on my neighbours’ front door
Then Scott and Lianne both rushed to my aid
To try stopping the frightening downpour

They sluiced and they swabbed and collected the water
In buckets galore with towels on the floor
Until at last the flooding stopped
And the floor was clear and very well mopped.

I really was so grateful for them coming to my aid
That I call them my wonderful HEROES
So this little Christmas box seems an appropriate gift
A small way of reminding you how thankful I am
The emptying of it will no doubt be swift
But not my memory and repeated thanks

Oh bravo!

What a lovely thread.

My story is that I’ve been hospitalised recently and have been quite overwhelmed by messages if love and support from friends and family. Our sons turned up by my bedside that first morning and stayed in support of myself and DH till I could come home. They live 100 miles down the road in Oxfordshire.

So much kindness when we needed it.

Hope you're on the mend now.
Even family coming up trumps is to be celebrated, because it vlearly isn't a given that they will, for some people.

Sending you a virtual hug.

I heard last week that someone I know, though not particularly well,had died. I always remember meeting her in the supermarket at around this time of year, and becoming upset telling her my mother was dying. Next day, a lovely bouquet arrived from her, with a lovely message.

Thank you MissA and JKSDonna.

Oh Blinko so sorry to hear this. I hope you are on the mend now?

On the bus yesterday to meet a friend for lunch my dratted cough had me red in the face and unable to catch my breath. Lady in front passes a mint across with a smile…🤗

OP am I reading this right- u couldn’t stay with family for 8 weeks?