Something nice

[flower12345]

Hi Everyone. I thought that I'd start a thread about something nice. Can you think of a time when someone (maybe a stranger, maybe not) helped you when you were in pain?

For example, for me, sometimes people at the food store offer to help me take the food to my car. The little things mean a lot to me!

Does anyone else have any other little things that have touched them?

Also, on a side note--and I don't know where to put this...but I wish that no one would call the medications that I take "hard drugs," because for some reason, it really bothers me. I try very hard to be kind and agreeable, and to keep my mouth shut (lol) about things when I can, but that is something that rubs me the wrong way.

Thanks,

Flower

[geminigirl1963]

There have been many times when someone has done something nice for me and I'm very thankful and grateful for all those people.  I also try to pay it forward as best I can - what I mean by that is if someone has helped me put groceries in my car or something physical like that, I definitely can't pay it forward with that same TYPE of kind act, but I will, in turn, do some other kind act for someone else - give someone a few dollars if they are short in the grocery line, make up a plate of food and take it to someone who may not be up to cooking for themselves - whatever I'm physically cabable of doing that I think will brighten another person's day a little.  Even if it's simply sending a nice card with a nice handwritten note in it.

One kind act that someone did for me really touched my heart.  It happened this past winter - it was the week before Christmas and we had gotten a heavy snowstorm - 23".  Of course, it occurred on a weekend, so the maintenance staff of my apartment complex was not working.  I was supposed to leave on Monday to go to my sister's for the Christmas holiday, but because maintenance doesn't typically work on the weekends, I was concerned that maybe I wouldn't be able to get out in order to go.  The apartments I live in are garden style apartments, so we all have our own separate entrances and walkways that lead out to the parking lot.  My apartment is in the back, so I have a longer walkway to deal with.  Anyway - the snow stopped and all of a sudden I hear someone outside shoveling.  Of course, my first thought was oh good, they called the maintenance guys in to do some shoveling and plowing.  but when I looked out the window, I was surprised to see my neighbor who lives in the unit in front of me out there shoveling my walkway.  As quickly as I could (which is not too quickly!) I got some clothes on so I could go out and thank my neighbor - unfortunatley, by the time I got outside, he not only had already finished shoveling, but had also left in his truck so he wasn't at home, so I wasn't able to thank him right then.  What I did do, however, was bake him a nice fresh banana bread, wrap it up, attach a simple thank you note and put it in a bag and went over and put it on his front doorknob.

When Monday came, maintenance brought in the plows and got the parking lot cleared so then I was able to go join my family for the holiday.  I was out at my car when the maintenance manager came by and said thank you for shoveling your own walkway - it saved me time.  Of course, I wasn't the one who had done it, so I told him, You better go thank Mike (my neighbor) for that - he's the one that shoveled me out - which the maintenance manager did do.

Even though I thanked Mike several times for doing that for me, I still don't think he realizes how much it really meant to me - because of HIM I was able to be with my family for the holiday.  If he hadn't shoveled me, I probably wouldn't have been able to go because even though maintenance did bring in the plows on Monday and got the parking lot cleared, it took them another day and a half (from what other neighbors told me) to get the walkways cleared, so without my neighbor's kind gesture, I very well may have been stranded for Christmas.

Thank you to all the people out there that take just a moment out of their day to do something nice for someone else.

[melissaky]

Oh that is so sweet ! Kids have the most pure hearts of any of us .You know the little moments like that are the BEST !  They have such a way of showing their love .Great post!! Melissa

[RunningMom]

My youngest daughter last night offered me her favorite blanket last night and it made my heart melt!  This is very surprising because she never lets go of it at night.  My daughter told me that she wanted me to use it for a while and she was explaining that she was having a hard time letting it go.  She handed me her blanket and then sat on the floor to watch television.  What a sweetie.  I love my girls.

This was very big for my daughter as she is very obsessive compulsive and has to have everything perfect in every way.

[designgyrl]

Hi Flower,

That conversation that happened yesterday made me  uncomfortable mainly for the reason that medications were being classified as harder amd weeker drugs.  Every person handles medications differently and just less than a month ago I was told that I'm going to be a chronic pain patient (which I'd already guessed) and eventually I will be on stronger medication than what I'm currently on and it's something that I don't want to have wo worry about.  So, when the conversation was brought up I had alot to be upset about and ended up bringing a few tears about the medications.  I know, pretty stupid, right, but I shed a few tears aoubt my heatlh.

[Tuckamore]

I hear you Jaybay. My husband does the same thing. He makes friends wherever he goes. The cashiers, tellers and so forth just love him in their line.

He puts a smile on my face everyday. :) I am so blessed!

[Jaybay]

Great idea flower!  And el_em_ - you're very welcome; I can say the same thing for you and many members here at MH.  :-)

I love the "pay it forward" thing.  I've been the recipient and initiator both on that sort of thing and it absolutely makes my day.  I believe most people in this world are good and decent people more than willing to help one another out.  

My husband always has something good to say to complete strangers like store clerks or wait staff.  The employees at stores we regularly go to always end up jabbering with him.  I swear, that man could make friends with a rock if he put his mind to it.  LOL!  He's just got that gift of really noticing people, even if he'll never see them again in this life.  If someone looks really nice, he has a compliment.  If someone looks like he needs help, he jumps right in.  If someone looks sad or upset he asks if he's OK and gets involved if need be.  It never crosses his mind NOT to at least acknowledge another person he's interacting with.  He's always done so well with kids and older people with dementia or people with disabilities because he doesn't see the "problem" - he sees the person.  It's not a put on act, but just the way he is and I wish I could be more like him!  

[namnam46]

I'm right there with you El_Em_En_Oh, this is a Great idea for a post. Also, El I want you to know how much I ENJOY you posts. They are VERY informative and you are a GREAT addition to this Forum!! Glad you are here.

There are so many times when I'm at the Grocery Store, or ANYWHERE, EVEN the DVM getting a car tag, that people will open doors and offer to help also, as I use a cane at all times.  It really makes me feel good to know how MANY GOOD people there are in this world.

Flower, I too, use the LONG-LASTING Meds and I feel the VERY same as you.  It bothers me also.  I CAN'T get along without the help of my meds as most of us can't. Without them I COULDN'T go to the Grocery store.  :)

Once again this is such an REFRESHING POST..Thank you.....Sherry

[el_em_en_oh]

Excellent idea for a post, Flower.

I was in a considerable amount of pain very recently (another kidney-stone) and Jaybay, Tuck and you Flower, helped me with your entertaining and informative private-messages.

My thanks to the 3 of you for the acceptance you've shown me in this forum, the support you've given me knowing full'well that I'm a recovering addict with CP issues, and the knowledge you've imparted on me.

After the shenanigans, it's nice to be able to give thanks and show appreciation for the truly good & decent people of the PM-Community.

[RunningMom]

I think it's really nice that my husband stands by my side every step of the way.  He is always handing me my ice packs, so I don't have to get up.  He comes home from work if the dogs need an emergency vet's, takes the kids to the doctor, he does all the shopping, understands that I can not do the housework, and if I don't feel like cooking, he will take over.  I can't say enough nice things about my husband.  Oh, I have great kids too!  My kids will come up to me to rub my back and shoulders frequently.  They too, will bring me the ice packs.  I'm pretty much homebound, so I don't leave the house often.

[melissaky]

I understand what you mean about the Hard drugs thing .Just because one person called them that don't let that make you feel bad. In all honesty I think the long-acting meds are better in the long run. When I had my shoulder surgery last year I had one arm in a sling and people were so kind to me .I had people hold doors open for me ,my librairian offered to carry my books out for me,people were so gracious and helpful .During the time I am speaking of I was in a local store and I had miscounted how much the items i was buying and I came up like 2 dollars short .Well I was so embarrassed I was going to put stuff back and this gentleman behind me gave the cashier the money I was short and I said how can I ever thank you ? He said pay it forward help somebody else .It brought me to tears it was so kind of him .But ,I did pay it forward .A couple of weeks ago I was behind this lady at Wal-mart and she did the same thing as me came up short so i gave her the money (it was like a dollar and some change)and told her the same thing as the guy told me Pay it forward help somebody else.Stuff like that really restores my faith in people .You hear so many bad things about how badly people are treating others and it is so depressing .But,there are So many good people out there .  Take care Melissa