Little kindnesses

I think we all remember little kindnesses that drop on us like the first warm raindrops of a summer shower. I’m collecting 100 such kindnesses to put in a little book to share with friends and family. If you get in the mood, I’d appreciate if you send me one or a few of those special moments that someone gifted to you along your way. As a reward, I’ll send you a copy to share with your circle.

Here are a few of mine:

Miss Keefe, my high school English teacher, stayed after school to help me write stories about life in the hallways of Lyons Township High School. Several made it into the Chicago Tribune.

A truck driver named Max picked me up near Lincoln, Nebraska, on a cold winter night when I was hitchhiking to Denver, hoping to find myself. I had been asked to exit the University of Illinois. I was broke and scared. Max drove 15 miles out of his way to drop me off at a truck stop and buy me eggs and a chicken fried steak.

Uncle Bob, the CEO of a Denver hospital, put his arms around me while telling me it was time for me to quit screwing around.

Just last week, a stranger walking by in Reno looked me in the eye, smiled and said he bet I was going to have a happy day. I did as I was told.

Now it’s your turn.