On Columbus day of this year, my grandfather had passed away after battling kidney failure. Before he passed away, he told my grandma to give me the hat I always wore. The hat contains a Celtic Blessing, and one day, I brought the hat to school. I showed it off to everyone, and when I showed it to my choir teacher, she told me that when she was in high-school, at the end of each spring concert they would sing this song. It used to be tradition. Now, our school is learning the song and bringing the tradition back. At the end of our spring concert, we’ll all gather around the audience as my choir teacher explains just how this tradition was brought back, including details about my grandfather’s passing. I hope my grandpa enjoys the song just as much as I enjoy reading the blessing in his hat.

This happened several years ago, but I still remember it pretty well. When I was about 5 or 6, my older brother took me to the circus. Like every other child there, I was super excited to get my little balloon animal. However, due to being a rather careless child, It accidentally popped. This was devastating to me at the time. I remember sitting my seat, crying quietly and being so sad about it, when the a little boy of probably 7 or 8, who was sitting behind me, tapped my shoulder. I turned around and looked at him, and I saw him holding out his own balloon animal, a little parrot. I was surprised to say the least, and I asked if I could really have it. He smiled at me and nodded, and I remember my entire mood changed. I kept that parrot for around two to three months until it eventually deflated. It’s always been something I’ve remembered, and when I start to feel like I’m losing my faith in humanity, I go back and think about that day.

When I was a kid my dad took my brother and I shopping for school clothes. It was during the 2007-2008 financial crisis and he had been laid off work and was struggling to find a job. My mom managed a fast food restaurant so we had some income, but not enough. Even though I was young I realized that we weren't the best off when it came to money. Our house was being foreclosed so my parents were already struggling to find somewhere cheaper for us to stay.

Going shopping with my dad and brother, while we were already struggling seemed strange, but we needed new clothes for the start of the school year. We each got two outfits and one pair of shoes. My brother wanted a pair of basketball shorts and my dad couldn't say no, so he grabbed them as well.

While we were checking out, I remember my dad watching the price go up and up on the register and he seemed to be more and more defeated as the price went up. Once everything was scanned, he realized he didn't have enough to pay for everything. He asked the cashier to take off the extra shorts my brother asked for, but he still didn't have enough. He apologized to the man behind us while he tried to figure out what to take off. I told my dad to take off my pair of shoes and a pair of my pants. (I could live with my old clothes so my brother could have new clothes.) My dad was on the verge of tears when he told the cashier to take them off.

Before he could pay the man behind us asked the cashier to add them back on. My dad was confused before the man gave the cashier a $100 bill and told her to give the change to my dad. My dad argued with him for a minute saying he couldn't take his money, times were hard on everyone, not just us. The man insisted and my dad started crying. My dad asked for his phone number so he could pay him back in the future, but the man told my dad to help someone else who needed it in future and that would be enough.

My brother and I had new clothes for the school year because of a stranger who saw we were struggling and decided to help, purely out of the goodness of his heart. I to this day still remember exactly what he looked like. Whenever I see people struggling I remember his face and I try to help them as best I can. I might not have a lot to give, but I give what I can.

Todd, a 53-year old man who lived with his mom, was saved by a stranger.

Nobody knew the real reason why he was actually living with his mother, because he never felt comfortable enough to talk about it. It wasn't because he wanted to stay with his mom for the rest of his life. In fact, she had alzheimer, and his entire life Todd had to balance work with caring for his mother since his father left home when he was 2 years old.

His social life was non-existent. Even the people outside pretented like he wasn't even there. He felt alone, and the only thing that kept him going was the presence of his mother and being able to take care of her. Even though she couldn't speak anymore.

One day, Todd took his mother to the hospital for what he thought would be a regular check-up. Instead, the doctor told him that his mother had only 3 weeks left to live because of something that had happened in her brain.

Todd's entire world fell apart. His mother was literally the ONLY person he knew. Without her, without ANYONE, he had nothing left to live for. When they got home, he was surprised to see a new family move into the house across the street. He didn't think much of it. He just wanted it all to end. His purpose was gone...

His mom died after 2 days instead of 3 weeks..

Then, 1 week later, the husband of the family knocked on Todd's door. Todd, who had pretty much given up on life, thought it was the last box of his mothers medication. So he opened the door, plotting to take all the pills himself and just get it over with...

''Hi, I'm Jordan, and me and my family just moved in across the street. If you ever want to drop by for a cup of coffee, feel free to come over! We would like to get to know you.''

Todd was speechless. 2 minutes ago, ending his life was all he could think about. But now, he was invited to come over for a cup of coffee for the FIRST time in his life.

Today, Todd and Jordan are best friends. Todd has never thought about taking his own life ever since.

Always greet a stranger. You never know how it may impact their lives.

I had a 13-year-old wander into the convenience store I worked in. I work in a sketchy part of town that’s full of drugs, guns, and plenty of homelessness. Fentanyl and crack run rampant here, so I was genuinely concerned when I saw her young face, and she looked so worn out and exhausted with all her bags. I asked her what was going on, and she told me that she ran away from home. Soon as she said that, alarm bells started going off in my head, but then what really set me off was the fact that someone was flirting with her and trying to take her home not even 15 minutes after she walked in. I bought the girl some food and water and convinced her that she’s a lot safer inside the store than out there since I carry a gun on me, and she agreed to stay till I closed. From what she told me, her plan was to link up with a whole bunch of kids around 8–10. Some of them, being adults, will live under a bridge and eventually leave the state. Which sounded to me like she was being manipulated since she’s super young and very impressionable and gullible. I made sure that the young girl wasn’t being abused at home and that it was purely her being disgruntled from being yelled at. It sounded a lot like me when I was 13 anyway. The plan was all concocted by a 15- or almost-16-year-old that she’s friends with, and it just sounded like she wanted to fit in instead of being lonely. Now I’m only 21, and I don’t know everything But 10/10 times I’d rather this girl get yelled at than get caught up in drugs, any sort of sex trafficking, get assaulted by some meth head, or, god forbid, get raped or killed and end up on the news. I called the cops on her, and luckily the officer that showed up is someone I’m familiar with and is pretty gentle with situations. Gave him her name, the friend's name, and their school to make sure they stopped whatever reckless plan this ridiculous 15-year-old came up with. Today the mother of the 13-year-old came in. I’m guessing either the cop or the kid told her which store she was at, and she thanked me and offered to give me 20 bucks, which I politely refused. Hopefully this brings some faith in humanity back to some of us living in this world that there are still people who will go above and beyond for your kids, my kids, and every kid in need or distress to safeguard their childhood and innocence. Hopefully the kid grows up to understand why I had to get her sent back home.

The Onsego guy helped me when I didn't have money to renew my subscription. I was preparing for my GED and needed more time to complete it. Back then I was not able to afford to pay for the extension, I contacted Onsego and they gave me two more months. I was able to pass my GED and now I'm studying to become a sports massage therapist. What's more important I met a love of life at school and I'm a happy person today because someone in Onsego helped me. I have faith in humanity and I wish you the same.

Giving when you have just enough and making some adjustments to give is more than giving when you have extra. I have noticed that my bank balance was much better during the months I did the former when compared to the months I did the latter.

I (F23) was cycling home from work in the dark yesterday night, on a deserted bike path along a canal (I'm in the Netherlands so this is a very normal scenario). I pick this route for the fact that it has street lights along the entire route as opposed to the alternative routes. A guy on a scooter was passing me by but then braked to get to my speed. I was low key freaked out and my mind was immediately racing wondering if I was safe. He said, "Can I ask you something?" and I kind of froze and mumbled something.

This guy just said "Oh, sorry!!" and drove off immediately.

He must have seen the startled look on my face and realized that he came off threatening to me? I kind of wish I didn't get scared in the first place, but oh well. Either way the threat was gone immediately and I felt relieved. And in the same minute I felt taken aback and scared I did a tiny cry of gratefulness for this man who did the right thing.

Faith in humanity restored 🙏🏽

So I work at a place that does loans for people, and I had a customer come in wanting to see if he could borrow $10. The minimum you can withdraw is $10 so I checked and told him to wait a second I had to make a call.

The other gentleman that was there said hold on and pulled out his wallet and gave him a 20.

The guy was so thankful for it and thanked him all the way out the door.

The other guy said it’s ok you just needed $10 pay it forward and Happy Easter.

Just a little good out of a crazy day.

(I can’t go too much into detail for privacy and legal reasons, but this was a nice thing I don’t get to see often and I feel it should be told.)

I’m raising $15,000 until 04/27/2024 because I'm poor and was homeless. Me and my son got our apartment January. I need help... If anyone can help me with my dad's funeral bill and a lawyer.. please. Can you help? These two ladies are literally stealing my dad's stuff that's why I have to get one. I'm literally helpless. https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/93angfBM2E

So today I was cruising with my gf down the freeway and we got backed up in traffic pretty bad so I was impatient as it is, so when we got back into town I swerved at a stop light and swerved back into my lane after seeing a jeep. Our cars bump so we pull into a parking lot and my heart is in my stomach. I walk out to this older guy and go directly to his jeep, i told him I made a dumb mistake and I was willing to pay whatever damages I had caused and he said “you just left this little one inch mark, it’s a jeep, it’ll buff out!” I don’t think he understands how much I appreciate his kindness.

I was at the corner store about 30 minutes ago (4:45-4:50 AM, EST). there’s been reports of a group of men waiting inside a nearby business, watching who comes in and out of the corner store. These men (usually a group of four) then follow the (usually) lone customer into the store, pretend to look around, and wait for the customer to pay. MY SO already told me about this group of men, so i was on high alert as soon as i got close to the store.

as soon as i got maybe two doors down from the store, i saw the group of men hanging out in the ‘vestibule’ (it’s a set of cloth doors that have large, see-through panels). i naively assumed they wouldn’t come out of their hideout, because how would they know i was going to the store?

i was in the store when all four of them walked in. one played the coffee machine, which is way in the front near the exit of the store. the second one played the drink coolers, which is in the middle of the store. the other two played both sides of me—one on my left and one on my right as i was paying. i knew i only had $20–so i kept asking for items that would bring my total over $20.

this sounds dumb, but i did this for one main reason: i wanted to emphasize that i only had $20 bucks so that they wouldn’t waste their time trying to rob me.

(note : i also left all other forms of payment at home. i carried a Costco card as a form of identification. i had my phone on silent in my right coat pocket, and did not take it out until i was in the vestibule of my building.)

guy behind the counter knew what was up—he was extremely patient when i was asking for additional items. as i paid, my total being $17.50, he said, ‘have a good night and be safe’. i thank him and begin to walk out, but not before i can hear him say to the other four men—‘you buying something or what? get out.’ (an argument ensued in another language as i was leaving.)

i know it was a small gesture, but that restored my faith in humanity just a little. i’m thankful that guy knew what was up.

I stopped at a target today to see if they had something I wanted. When I came out I was slightly upset someone had parked next to my car (I usually park far away to avoid door dings on my car) but when I got to my car that person had left my car keys hanging on my mirror. I didn’t even realize that my keys had fallen out of my pockets. Keep in mind I have a newer sports car and they could’ve easily stolen it or stole stuff inside my car. But they left it hanging on my mirror and I’m just thankful they did that nothing bad.

My faith in humanity has been restored. I don’t think the person who did that will ever see this but if you do, thank you!

I’m a single mom of 2 kids, and I started crying in Walmart today. The guy in line behind me overheard me on the phone with my mom talking about what we needed and didn’t need for the possible freeze this weekend, and I put back some stuff because I didn’t get my child support payment and was working with $75 until get paid until the 25th. I ended up having to run to the fitting room to grab the attendant who had my son’s formula (they keep it under lock and key and an attendant has to hold onto it until you’re ready to check out), and when I got back he had paid for the rest of my groceries- including what I had put back to try and save money. I said thank you so many times and it didn’t feel like enough; I can’t wait until I’m able to pay if forward for someone else!

When was in college for engineering, I (25m) was told so many horror stories by professors of guys waking up late, being 5-10 minutes late 2-4 times then being fired. This is a problem that I have trouble sleeping. I got really lucky and managed to get a job offer in March of 2022, still at this job. I'm learning so so much and I do follow r/antiwork to see some of the horror stories as well when I can't sleep.

So back in July 2023, I was asked by my boss's boss, the GM and VP of the company, to work nights. I didn't like it, my boss didn't like it, and the department didn't like it. But I worked nights, from 5-3:30. It was hard to adjust to. I went back to work the first week of August and thought I had done a good job adjusting my sleep schedule.... Until Friday when I had some extra energy and stayed up till 3AM. Saturday was 2AM. Sunday i couldn't sleep. I got up, got ready, and laid down on the couch with my boots off. Didn't want to go in too early, it was 3AM when I laid down. I slept through my alarms. My boss called me, my coworkers called, HR called, and it was 10AM at this point when my boss has to head to the university nearby for a job fair with the head of HR.

He shows up at my doorstep, and bangs on my door while I'm blissfully asleep. I jolt awake and put on shorts, no glasses and open the door. My boss was standing there and I thought I was about to get reamed and fired. Engineering does not do no-call no-show. I was petrified.

"Hey Frickle! We were worried something happened to you. And we happened to be in the area so we wanted to make sure you were ok. Head on into work when you can ok?"

I was relieved and thankful. Travis,, I know you'll never ever read this. But your a good boss. I don't feel scared to come to you like I did with my professors. Thank you for listening to me and asking for my input. Thank you for taking a huge risk and making me the engineer over the department. I know it wasn't really a choice but I appreciate yours and everyone else's help. I'm thankful and you deserve double my salary and all the vacation time in the world.

A few years ago, I was working my first job after moving to a completely new country. I was depressed, lonely, and miserable pretty much every day, but I tried really hard not to show it, because I was working in food service. Specifically, i was working at a self service restaurant located within a water park. My job consisted mostly of cleaning up, wiping tables, and taking the buffet trays back to the dish pit. It was totally miserable, i despised having to clean up after peoples dirty dishes all day, and i grew insanely resentful of the guests, who, to me, were all slobs. Once instance that profoundly changed me was one night i was working the closing shift, we closed at 11pm, and it was around 10:30, the restaurant was all but emtpy except for one table. I had already cleaned the whole dining area, and was just waiting for the young couple to leave. For context, i was also young, 19, at the time. As i was kind of passive aggressively wiping over already clean tables, the girl got my attention, and she offered my a chocolate from the box she and her boyfriend were sharing. I was so touched, i thanked her and took it, she literally took away my foul mood in a second. I literally just took the chocolate, went to the bathroom and just started crying. When i came back out they were both gone, but i will literally never forget her. Its hard to describe what that one little kindness did to me, but im so so grateful to her for it.

He will probably never see this. But I can't thank enough the man who helped me yesterday night. Some of you might know but yesterday France was hit by a "cold wave" and eventhough I live near the mountains, my town was visibly not prepared. It snowed so much that by the time I got home from work (around 7pm) everything was covered by a thick layer of snow, melted in some kind of thick soup where the car passed. Problem is, I live in a very layered village, with very small inclined streets.

Note it is my first winter in this region, I used to live in Paris. So I am not used to snow. So, as I was making my way home, my car stooped moving forward because of the wet floor, and drifted backwards, and not only backwards but also sideway, heading toward the walls. Very slowly, but I could not stop it. I was on the verge of tears to be honest, not really knowing how to handle the situation. I live alone, and my family is still in Paris, so no one to call for help.

When suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared between the snowflakes this man. I didn't even see his face with the thick snow falling, his beanie and scarf. But without saying anything, he just made big signs with his arms to show me what to do, and push my car toward the other side, this went on for 5 minutes, and when I was "back on tracks" showed me a spot to park. Waited for me to do so. And before I could get out of the car to thank him, he was gone. I had to walk 15min to get home, but it doesn't matter much.

I don't know who he is, I probably will never know. But I am so grateful for his help, when I had no one to help me. Good people still exist. ♥ Thank you mysterious savior ~

I was at a red light when I heard a loud crash. A old school collectible looking car had rammed right into the back of a pick up truck. The pick up truck driver was an older man, probably 70+ years old. The car was driven by a boy no more than 17 years. The boy is bawling and obviously upset and saying sorry over and over again. The truck driver hugs the boy and says “my boy, they’re just cars” and continues to comfort him. The light turned green so I didn’t see much else but it was so refreshing to see a kind interaction on what was obviously a mistake.

A few weeks ago I was flying out of my local (pretty small) airport when I got in line behind a woman who didn’t speak English and by the looks of it, didn’t travel by plane often. No one in the airport spoke her language so she was becoming increasingly anxious and frantic with every interaction. As she was loading her stuff up on the TSA x-ray belt, the agent started giving her the spiel (laptop, liquids, shoes, etc) and it was clear that the woman didn’t understand. She started to panic and looked like she was going to have an anxiety attack (😔) when the TSA agent stopped what she was doing and started gesturing to take deep breaths. They took a few deep breaths together and afterwards, the woman was able to make it through the scanner just fine. This happened almost a month ago and I still look back at it and smile. I love knowing that the TSA agent saw a fellow human struggling and offered kindness rather than piling onto her anxiety. Very pure.

Hi all, I thought I'd share this really sweet interaction that happened to me today. So I work remotely and have to interact with customers via email. Basically I received a scathing email response from a customer which really upset me (this is being escalated further by my manager) and put this in a slack channel with my colleagues.

I'm also part of a fun committee I started at my job as a way to inject pep into everyone's step and make work a bit more fun. Through this I got the budget to gift everyone a gift card to get a book. I logged onto my work email after hours to peek through what I'll need to do when back in office and saw an email from one of my colleagues.

He thanked me profusely for the book gift card and then proceeded to thank me for my "irrepressible presence" in meetings and my commitment to make work "whimsical" and I honestly started crying because of how much I needed to hear that and how I felt so seen.

It took him 2 minutes out of his day to make mine do a 180 from terrible to heartwarming. On the off chance he sees this, thanks Jacob you really made my day and I appreciate you!