Something Special/kind that was done for you and vice-versa

[80sU2isBest]

Please tell us something special/kind that was done for you that left a lasting impression, then if you'd like, please share something special/kind that you have done for someone else that made an impact (small or large) on his/her life.

When I was around 26 and 27, I was going out with this young lady named Lela. Lela was one of the rare people who know how to truly place others' needs above their own most of the time. Lela had a way of making me feel like I was important, like I was special. Everytime I picked her up for a date, the first words out of her mouth were "how are you, how was your day, what did you do today", etc. She never thought of herself first - she always showed her concern and kindness in that way. That may not seem like much to some people, but it really affected me. To this day, 12 years later, I still think of her selflessness often. She was an all around great gal.

As for me doing something special for someone else, it wasn't something I set out to do, and was stunned when I found myself doing it. I used to teach Bible studies at the local shelter. I would often make friends with residents of the shelter, and it often felt like a family. One night, as I was flapping my gums with one of the shelter volunteers, a resident approached and told me how much he liked the St. Louis Rams Kurt Warner jersey I was wearing, and then joked "Hey, you gonna give it to me, right?". Well, anyone who knows me will tell you how much I love the Rams and admire Kurt Warner. I would have probably said, "Ha ha, what a joker you are", but the Holy Spirit convicted me rather strongly, so I took off the jersey and handed it to him. He looked at me with a great look of surprise on his face and said "Oh man, I was just joking", and I either said "Yeah, but I'm not", or "Yeah, but God's not". He was flabbergasted and very pleased and appreciative. As I left that night, I told God thanks for the wonderful opportunity and I prayed that God would bless the jersey to help the man and close to God in some way. The next Friday, I taught Bible Study again, and the man was there he told me that not only had he started attending a local church, but that he had applied for a job and was given it. Here's the kicker...He said he was surprised he got the job, because at the time of the interview, he wasn't dressed up nicely; he was wearing a pair of shorts - and his new Kurt Warner jersey.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Well something that was "small" recently that someone did for me-this lady (a customer) helped me in a store get a big box off a shelf and into a cart. She just offered to help and seemed to come out of nowhere, I never asked for help. Honestly that impressed and surprised me because it just doesn't happen all that often if at all. People are in their own little worlds and can be so rude.

It's so pathetic that I can't think of something I did for someone else recently. Over the summer I sent goodie boxes to a priest from my church who was in Iraq, for his batallion.

I know I'm supposed to think of some profound things over my entire life but I can't think of anything right now.

 

[Liesje]

Lots of people on Interference have helped me out and given me stuff without me asking and not accepting anything in return. One person sent me tons of bootlegs and DVDs, another person helped me get a last-minute ticket that was already offered to someone else, other people have given me rides, food, chances to shower in their hotel rooms, a ONE bracelet, etc. I'll never forget these things, even if they seem insignificant to the people who they involve. It's amazing how generous people that are technically strangers can be! You guys know who you are, I love you all! It gives me a warm fuzzy to be a U2 fan.

I guess one random thing I did that didn't seem like a big deal to me was sending someone in Brazil my entire collection of Nadia Comaneci articles and autographs. Gymnastics is still my #1 obsession, but I've never been much of a pack rat and was going through a purge phase. I used to run www.nadiacomaneci.com and I got an e-mail from a guy in Brazil who's girlfriend was a gymnast and wanted something Nadia-related for her birthday. He wondered where to find posters or autographs. Instead, I just sent him all my things, including five autographed photos. He wrote me back weeks later and said he was so thrilled - and more importantly his girlfriend was so thrilled - he could cry.

Likewise, I was also purging U2 t-shirts and sent them off Interferencers, in the spirit of the generosity I described above.

 

[80sU2isBest]

It's so pathetic that I can't think of something I did for someone else recently. Over the summer I sent goodie boxes to a priest from my church who was in Iraq, for his batallion.

I know I'm supposed to think of some profound things over my entire life but I can't think of anything right now.

Who knows what kind of profound affect that may have had on the priest?Me giving away a shirt seemed no big deal, but even small things like that can have a bigger impact than you may realize.

 

[Irvine511]

joyfulgirl sent me DVDs of the Phoenix and Las Vegas shows for free and for no other reason than to spread the love.

and they're SO GOOD. so much better than Chicago.

she rocks.

hope you're doing well!

 

[Thora]

This is a great thread idea.

When I was about 8 or 9, our family went through many months of financial difficulties. We had literally no food in our cupboards, and no extra money to pay for groceries. I remember waking up one morning and complaining because there was not enough food for my brother and I to take a lunch to school. My parents were obviously very stressed out about this, and they sat us down and explained that we needed to pray, and trust that God would provide for us. I remember praying very earnestly, with the childlike faith I had at the time.

Later on that morning, I went to open the front door to leave for school, and on our doorstep were many bags of groceries, left by some anonymous stranger. I was so overwhelmed and shocked at how fast God had answered our prayers. It was a very powerful moment for me, and I'll never forget the generosity of whoever had left those groceries for us.

It may seem like a small thing, but for a child who was new in her faith, it was mind-blowingly amazing.

Many Interferers have helped me in many ways, or sent me things for free, and I try to return the kindness whenever I can.

I try to do kind things for my friends and family as often as I can - whether it be making food, buying groceries, giving them small but meaningful and significant gifts, or anything else that I know will brighten their day somehow.

 

[BonosSaint]

Good time to have this thread, 80's. I'm feeling pretty down on a huge amount of humanity right now.

Done for me: Well, the parking lot guy I mentioned in Mrs. S's
thread was out in the parking lot on a very, very windy day and he had a cold. Later on in the day, some flashing came loose above my car (I had just gotten a new one). He climbed up on the roof and took off the flashing so it wouldn't damage my car if it fell.

I did: At work, almost everybody celebrated Christmas except for one Jewish employee. He seemed surprised and touched when I got him a Hanukkah present. We became wonderful friends after that.

 

[dazzlingamy]

Something done for me: MY boyfriend and friends through me a 'you did it!' graduation party when i finished my undergrad. They all wrote on cards what they were proud of me and stuck them around my house. We had dinner and drinks and played games i don't think i've ever felt that happy and loved in my life

Hrrmm. something I did. Well at my rounds we are not supposed to give students money for food if their parents send them to school without lunch, so i usually make two extra sandwiches in the morning and "give them up" to students without lunch so they won't grow hungry. They don't see it as charity (as im full ) and i feel happy knowing they've had a good lunch.

 

[JCOSTER]

Just recently my two friends made it possible for me to go the city to meet the band at the book signing. If it were not for them, I wouldn't have been able to go. When your a stay at home mom your home is the job and the office was closed that day. One friend took my kids home from school, did their homework, fed them, got my one kid ready for a baseball game and my other friend, came to let my dog out 2 times and feed him since he would have been alone all day. They were the greatest and when I called to say I met Bono they were so happy for me they were screaming on the phone!

One day when I took my kids to Chuckie Cheese on a day off from school, we were leaving and getting into the car we noticed 3 homeless men sitting up against the wall. I went back into Chuckie Cheese and ordered 3 pizzas to be sent outside to the men and gave them the box I was bringing home. I told them not to leave because 3 more boxes were coming out. My kids were floored and learned a lesson that day.

 

[U2democrat]

Kind of small...but it gives me hope that there are still honest people in this world.

Our student IDs are like debit cards...money is put on them for meal plans, general dining (i.e. buying food in the bookstore), and money for other things like laundry, vending machines, and items in the bookstore.

You also need your ID to get into the residence hall, buy student tickets, etc. etc.

Sunday night I was walking across campus to meet a friend to study for an exam. Before meeting up with her I was going to get some pizza, and reaching for my ID to pay for it, it wasn't there. I called my roommate to see if I had left it in the room, and she didn't see it, so I knew it must have fallen out of my pocket at some point walking across the campus.

It was at night so it was dark, but I retraced my steps anyway, and got back to my residence hall without seeing it. The Front Desk Assistant was kind and let me in anyway, so I ran up to my room and began turning things upside down. I got on Facebook to find the phone number of the friend I was to meet to tell her I would be late. (for those of you who don't know what it is it's sort of like a myspace/online directory for college students). As I logged on I saw that I had a message, and it was from a boy who said he had found my ID, he was 2 floors below me and I could pick it up anytime.

I let out a HUGE sigh of relief and was able to get my ID. He could easily have taken it and been able to spend money from it, but he was honest and that made me feel wonderful.


As for something I have done for someone else......I'm sure there's something but I can't think of it right now.

 

[redhotswami]

Wow what a beautiful thread. This sure conjured up some really sweet memories for me.

Done for me:

First I'd like to echo what Lies said about the people in Interference. They have been so kind, sharing their music, pictures, and other information. One time recently I wrote that I had lost my ONE wristband. Within a few hours I got a response from someone offering to send me one of hers. I'm really impressed how people here give and give, and ask nothing in return.

Anyway, I wanted to share this experience.
Last year I took a group of undergraduate university students on an alternative spring break. We went to Oaxaca, Mexico and we spent 1/2 of the week at a center, and the other 1/2 living with a family of farmers in the mountains.

Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. But the family really stood out. They didn't have much in terms of belongings, or even food. But they made sure we were fed before they ever ate anything. They even let us sleep in their huts. I think they actually slept outside!

Anyway, like I said they had very limited food...and I noticed they had a small pen with 2 chickens. They had decided to kill both of those chickens for our group. It was humbling really, knowing that that was all they had, and they offered it up to us. My students were shocked and awed. Before we left, the mother said something that brought tears to my eyes.
"Whenever you come back to visit, this is your home."


As for me doing something for someone else:
I spent this summer volunteering in Ballymun. I really made some great connections with the people in the community, especially the children. On my last day there, one of the girls called over to our flat, and was hugging me nonstop, with tears in her eyes. She said she didn't want me to go. Then she asked if I could give her something to remember me by. When I asked what she wanted, she told me that she always loved my earrings.

I went and looked at my jewlery box, and found a pair of earrings I had purchased earlier that year. I bought them from a local artist, but only wore them once because they were too small for my chubby ears. But they were the perfect size for this little girl! And I had 2 pairs of them. So I gave one pair to her, and another to her best friend. To say they were thrilled would be an understatement.

Those kids have left a special mark on my heart. I was really I could do the same. I told them that wearing those earrings was like carrying me with them wherever they went.


By the way, thanks everyone for sharing your stories! They are lovely and very touching

 

[80sU2isBest]

Anyway, I wanted to share this experience.
Last year I took a group of undergraduate university students on an alternative spring break. We went to Oaxaca, Mexico and we spent 1/2 of the week at a center, and the other 1/2 living with a family of farmers in the mountains.

Oaxaca, wow, haven't heard of that in a long time. Years ago, my brother was a full time missionary there.

 

[80sU2isBest]

joyfulgirl sent me DVDs of the Phoenix and Las Vegas shows for free and for no other reason than to spread the love.

and they're SO GOOD. so much better than Chicago.

she rocks.

hope you're doing well!

Are you well-wishing me or Joyful girl? If me, I well-wish right back at ya. If you were talking to Joyful Girl, I still well-wish at ya!

 

[Irvine511]

^ it was meant for joyfulgirl, but i of course wish you well as well

 

[redhotswami]

Oaxaca, wow, haven't heard of that in a long time. Years ago, my brother was a full time missionary there.

Really? Have you ever been? It is lovely! I wanted to go back in the Spring, but I was asked to take a new group somewhere else this time.

I bought a belt from one of the artists I had met...and my new dog chewed it up

 

[80sU2isBest]

Really? Have you ever been?

No, I'm pretty much a homebody. I've only been out of the US on 2 occasions, and both times I was on a cruise.

 

[redhotswami]

Was your brother with a group? I wonder if he worked with the same organization I collaborated with.

 

[80sU2isBest]

Was your brother with a group? I wonder if he worked with the same organization I collaborated with.

No, my brother travelled alone most of the time. God would tell him to go somewhere, and my brother would go.

 

[Laura M]

Boyfriend moving abroad with me for almost a year and then over to Ireland was definitely the most special/kind thing anyone has done for me. I could never thank him enough for that. Everyday someone will do something small that I appreciate, like a phone call from my Dad telling me what mail has arrived for me that week (I love getting mail and today he told me I had four letters from Spain, even though he speaks no Spanish he still tried to read a bit from each letter) or message from my Mum, my sister saving me magazines she has read, meeting my siblings and getting a lie in and my breakfast made because I've been really stressed out with work lately and not getting enough sleep so I really am grateful for that.

As for me doing something for other people... I'm not sure I do anything that impacts anyone's life in any big way. I volunteer with a scheme which involves befriending a person with learning difficulties, who might not have the opportunity or confidence to socialise much, and going out with them once a week. It's not something I talk about, I don't think anyone knows I am doing it but there are only 15 volunteers and I really think there could be a lot more. I am sure that all the people in the scheme, both volunteers and the friend, make an impact on each others lives.

 

[80sU2isBest]

As for me doing something for other people... I'm not sure I do anything that impacts anyone's life in any big way. I volunteer with a scheme which involves befriending a person with learning difficulties, who might not have the opportunity or confidence to socialise much, and going out with them once a week.

Don't sell yourself short. What you are doing for that person would make a HUGE impact on his/her life.

 

[DILETTANTE]

This is tiny, but, as a kid, I used to put my spare change in expired parking meters. I thought that even the six minutes purchased by a penny might save someone a ticket.

One time I had an internship that lasted a year. Near the end of the year, someone I had never met came up to me and said that even though we never interacted, she had watched as I interacted with other people throughout the year. She complimented me on my demeanor, and wished me well. That just blew me away! I appreciated the effort that she took to go out of her way to talk with me. And it made me more aware of the possibility that sometimes we have an impact on others -- when we're not even aware of it.

On a lighter note, the generosity of spirit that prompted a toddler to offer me half of a very soggy cookie -- is something that I truly appreciate and admire!

 

[80sU2isBest]

This is tiny, but, as a kid, I used to put my spare change in expired parking meters. I thought that even the six minutes purchased by a penny might save someone a ticket.

They can write you a ticket for that in Fort Worth, Texas. I'm not kididng.

 

[DILETTANTE]

Really? Ouch! I don't know if that is/was true in Maryland. But I stopped doing it when they got rid of the meters that took small change. So I guess I started breaking the law early!

 

[BonosSaint]

Ooooooo....kind and subversive.

 

[sue4u2]

At the end July I left a job that I had really hated for the last year or so. This new job I had heard about really felt too good to be true. It was a great job and I did well the first week or so. I met a new and diverse group of friends and co-workers and was just having the time of my life. With one exception, it was a quota based job and I didn't sign up enough clients the last week I was there and got FIRED, by the owner of the company, no less. That was the first time in my working history I was actually fired from a job.
What amazed me the most was the new friends and coworkers who rallied around me, helping me with the stuff on my desk and walked me out to my car. My floor supervisors didn't even know he was planning to fire me. One gave me a lead on a job and promised to call if they heard of anything else..etc. That was 2 weeks ago. I was off for 3 week's and was considering going back to the old job I hated because I left in good standing. But then the company that fired me called me back for a different position in an administrative capacity. It's the strangest thing that has happened to me on the job and people are still saying welcome back. I am so thankful that call.

during the time I was in between jobs with the same company,
I had just come out of the store when a man approached me and ask if I had 50 cents. I felt so bad for him that I gave him the 2 dollar's and change I had just put in my bag. Even though I was going through financial hardship at the time, it still wasn't as bad as his. He was very thankful and blessed me.
The blessing worked

 

[Irvine511]

whenever i go out to dinner downtown i make sure to leave a little on the plate and get it to take home.

on the way home, i give it to a homeless person.

 

[Scarletwine]

A couple of years ago my husband and I were eating at a Waffle House and a apparent homeless man was drinking coffee and had been beat up really badly. I sent hime a big breakfast to go with his coffee.

When my father passed away my friends took up a collection and bought me a weeping cherry tree for my yard in remembrance.

This is a great film and very uplifting

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4&
Free Hugs Campaign

 

[BrownEyedBoy]

Disney World has this annual thing they do with Christian bands every year called Night of Joy. Well, my sister MENTIONED to my uncle that I wanted to go see stryper that year in miami and he bought me a plane ticket and concert tickets for night of joy. At first I thought it was a bluff but it was great because he wanted to kill two birds with one stone since my grandfather was having a checkup in Miami ...it later turned out to be his last trip and I was right there with him.

You never know how far a kind act can go with a person so every chance you get go out of your way because it´s a once in a lifetime oportunity.

 

[redhotswami]

whenever i go out to dinner downtown i make sure to leave a little on the plate and get it to take home.

on the way home, i give it to a homeless person.

That's awesome! I usually do the same. Speaking of homeless people, have you met Blelvis? He is truly an amazing human being.

 

[80sU2isBest]

whenever i go out to dinner downtown i make sure to leave a little on the plate and get it to take home.

on the way home, i give it to a homeless person.

That is great. You may never know what they means to the people you feed.