tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post7241712342081688409..comments2023-05-05T08:24:42.354-05:00Comments on Anne Carrole...Capturing the Romance of the West: The Kindness of StrangersAnne Carrolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-29685001261080613762009-04-30T18:18:00.000-05:002009-04-30T18:18:00.000-05:00We're taught to believe angels come from heaven. I...We're taught to believe angels come from heaven. It occurred to me the other day that mine came from Florida. <br /><br />My husband, the heart bypass patient, has been on disability. His childhood friend, Sam (not his real name), recently came to our area to help out family members but ran into difficulty staying there. <br /><br />Maybe kindness begets kindness. We offered him a place to stay for as long as he needed. This carpenter-who-can't-sit-still very long took over construction of my kitchen, putting up cabinets (which I bought on clearance at a wholesale place), smoothed textured ceilings and did this all for no other reason than he chose to. After much hemming and hawing, he accepted much less than he ever would have taken had he been hired to do the job.joanna aislinnhttp://joannaaislinn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-42049983311821370932009-04-30T11:04:00.000-05:002009-04-30T11:04:00.000-05:00Jumping in here late, but the first thing that com...Jumping in here late, but the first thing that comes to mind happened about a month ago. I was somewhere in AnnWorld and left my purse in the basket in the parking lot of Target! When I discovered what I'd done, I raced back to the store, but the purse was gone. I checked customer service, fully expecting it not to be there, but it was! Whoever returned it didn't leave a name. I was so happy I wanted to cry with relief.Ann Whitakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13149579516645503094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-5808489319092117302009-04-30T08:20:00.000-05:002009-04-30T08:20:00.000-05:00Margaret--with that type of weather, driving must ...Margaret--with that type of weather, driving must have been scary. I'd like to believe the good samaritans we never got to thank are getting some type of cosmic benefit like good "karma" from their deeds.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-51165242966116242832009-04-30T08:12:00.000-05:002009-04-30T08:12:00.000-05:00Pat--How wonderful that this stranger helped your ...Pat--How wonderful that this stranger helped your daughter get the information to the very people she needed most at that time. My eyes welled up just reading your post.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-55071835535214083072009-04-30T08:11:00.000-05:002009-04-30T08:11:00.000-05:00Stacey--hope you enjoy this Wayback story!And you'...Stacey--hope you enjoy this Wayback story!And you're going to have a lot of fun on your night out. It's great to have sisters that share.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-78940685413439537132009-04-30T07:17:00.000-05:002009-04-30T07:17:00.000-05:00During a bad period in my life, I went to Houston ...During a bad period in my life, I went to Houston to visit my aunt. Ignoring the flood warnings and rain so hard that I could barely see, I stopped at a fast food restaurant so my 2 little children could eat. While waiting in line, a woman struck up a conversation with me. I mentioned how I'd never been on the new toll road. LS short, I followed her, my eyes on her car into Houston to my aunt's exit. Ten minutes later, I-45 was shut down due to water over the road. I never got her name to thank her, but I've tried to repay her kindness to others.Margaret E Reidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-21806430581033880112009-04-30T06:34:00.000-05:002009-04-30T06:34:00.000-05:00My daughter, away at school in Washington DC, was ...My daughter, away at school in Washington DC, was involved in car accident. A complete stranger, walking by at the time, not only saw her off to the hospital but also called us. His first words were, “You don’t know me. I’m calling from DC. Your daughter Tiffiny is fine but she was in a car accident. She asked me to call you. She’s on her way to Georgetown Hospital Emergency room by ambulance. She seems okay but might have a broken hand. If you get a paper and pencil, I will give you all the information.”<br /><br />He did, hospital phone number, address, where accident occurred, etc. And, of course, in our shock, we never did get his name. <br /><br />Pat MarinelliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-64967048038167835032009-04-29T23:09:00.000-05:002009-04-29T23:09:00.000-05:00I have a couple Wayback titles, Anne, but not this...I have a couple Wayback titles, Anne, but not this one--yet. You've roped me in! :) The most recent nice thing someone did for me is my sister got free tkts and invited me to go see Vince Gil with her on Thursday night. I'll be going with her and my other sister, and my good friend and neighbor. It's going to be fun! :)Stacey Joy Netzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908548379784017162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-60937796040154215232009-04-29T21:01:00.000-05:002009-04-29T21:01:00.000-05:00Loretta--siblings are special. I have a sister lik...Loretta--siblings are special. I have a sister like that and my father's brother also was there whenever he needed him which in his later years was a lot. I'm sure there are special halos waiting for them.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-48206159061808793852009-04-29T20:57:00.000-05:002009-04-29T20:57:00.000-05:00Mary--the world is a better place with people like...Mary--the world is a better place with people like your friend's mother--and a poorer place for the loss of your friend. May every child in need have a friend with a mother like your friend's.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-66686359062831093662009-04-29T20:43:00.000-05:002009-04-29T20:43:00.000-05:00The kindness of strangers, yes that I have encount...The kindness of strangers, yes that I have encountered but the most kindness I have felt come from my sister. I have had 2 strokes and she has been beside me all the way. I tried to tell her that she doesn't have to be at everything but there she be. I love her.LORETTA CANTONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11565717709469489851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-50136210272621777372009-04-29T20:01:00.000-05:002009-04-29T20:01:00.000-05:00I really had to think about this one. I think the ...I really had to think about this one. I think the kindest thing anyone ever did for me was done by my best friends mother. She knew I had problems at home, and let me stay frequently. But when my parents moved to another country, I did not want to go. I wanted to finish the school year out, I wanted to be with people who cared. There were a lot of kids in my family and I was on the bottom of the list. This wonderful person took me in her home, bought me clothes that didn't make me into a geek, she encouraged and guided me into a more confident place in my own head. I love her till t his day, and my girlfriend, sister, died of brain cancer. How sad. I still keep in touch.Mary Ricksenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12676306822821614446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-4935468926051699302009-04-29T19:21:00.000-05:002009-04-29T19:21:00.000-05:00Kathye-it's heartwarming what a thoughtful gesture...Kathye-it's heartwarming what a thoughtful gesture during difficult times can mean to the person waiting--all the more so because it was someone who didn't know you.<br /><br />Debra--The idea that someone cared enough to help you when they didn't have to speaks to a generosity of spirit that I'm glad is out there.<br /><br />Emma--now there's a caring stepmom-in-law! Isn't it amazing though how many things you have to worry about when you have enough on your mind--like giving birth!:) Nice you now have one less thing on the list. Congrats on the impending little one:)<br /><br />Mickey-thanks for stopping by :). How great he reached out and you could connect with someone who can share those memories with you--that's a very special kindness.Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-1005417712653240052009-04-29T18:28:00.000-05:002009-04-29T18:28:00.000-05:00Lovely post, Anne. My kindness to share came from ...Lovely post, Anne. My kindness to share came from a rather reclusive cousin of mine. He rarely visits anybody, yet one particularly awful day, he appeared at my door with a smile on his face and two hours to spare. He hadn't been to my home in many years. We had a chance to talk about our mothers, two sisters who were inseperable. Sometmes even the smallest gesture can touch a person's heart.M.Flagghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103836537099873046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-20732879511702836932009-04-29T16:43:00.000-05:002009-04-29T16:43:00.000-05:00Beautiful post. The most recent kind thing that ha...Beautiful post. The most recent kind thing that has happened to me was my stepmother-in-law offered to come by the house when I go into labor and take care of my dogs. I hadn't thought of how they were going to get fed and would have felt horrible if I'd forgotten about them.Emma Laihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575747694031510440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-75727019593199670362009-04-29T15:00:00.000-05:002009-04-29T15:00:00.000-05:00Once when I was out of change, and my calling card...Once when I was out of change, and my calling card wouldn't work on a pay phone, a very kind stranger gave me money so I could make a phone call to get a ride home. Not too exciting, I know, but I've always remembered that.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-25878896560825931442009-04-29T14:53:00.000-05:002009-04-29T14:53:00.000-05:00I remember bring the the hospital waiting room aft...I remember bring the the hospital waiting room after my hubsband's surgery and one of the other 'waiters' brought me back a coffee and snack from the hospital coffe shop. I didn't relize how hungry I had been until I took the first bite of the cookie.<br /><br />It's a mall thing, but I never forgot that and always try to return the favor if I have to wait for a long time and notice other people do also.Kathye Quickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17689731913318677231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-41415375306163952172009-04-29T13:00:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:00:00.000-05:00Penny, how nice that she never mentioned her role ...Penny, how nice that she never mentioned her role in getting the shuttle to stop until much later. Now you have to get on the internet and find Jo Morris! You know she'll love to hear from you!Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-85670431318822446482009-04-29T12:37:00.000-05:002009-04-29T12:37:00.000-05:00Gosh, this is so hard because so many people have ...Gosh, this is so hard because so many people have nice things for me.<br /><br />In 1987, not long after I first began writing, I attended my first writing conference. (This trip had many firsts -- first time to travel by myself, first time to fly, first time to check myself into a hotel, etc.)<br /><br />Did I mention that I was a young mother and six weeks away from giving birth to my fourth child? (I thought I had seven weeks to go, but he came early.)<br /><br />Here I was, at the Dallas airport, dragging this huge suitcase (no wheels) and my tummy out to here, trying to catch a shuttle (again...had never done this before). Thankfully, a shuttle stopped for me. <br /><br />I was exhausted and took a seat. The young lady in front of me turned around and asked me if I was going to the Romance Writers of America conference. Yup, I sure was. We struck up a friendship and saw each other throughout the conference.<br /><br />Several conferences later (some of those as roommates) I found out she was the reason the shuttle stop for me. She told the driver I was with her. <br /><br />We were best friends for many years. Somehow over the past few years we've lost touch. Her name is Jo Morris. I miss you, Jo!Penny Raderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05012014043686359253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-90054259427976298592009-04-29T11:33:00.000-05:002009-04-29T11:33:00.000-05:00Wow, Nancy. What a thoughtful neighbor (and so sor...Wow, Nancy. What a thoughtful neighbor (and so sorry for your loss) during such a difficult time for you. And as to your secret sender--what a nice surprise. Aren't some people just great!Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-36327914719445340832009-04-29T11:27:00.000-05:002009-04-29T11:27:00.000-05:00A neighbor,who I did not know well but whose daug...A neighbor,who I did not know well but whose daughter went to chool with my daughter , came by the day after my husband died to ask if I needed a ride to the funeral home to pick out a casket.<br /> No one else in the family remembered I didn't drive and even if I did didn't have the car which had been left at my husband's work place.<br /> A happier experience was receiving the A-Z of regency London in the mail from some one who has never revealed her identity to me.Nancynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-61676599780368572282009-04-29T10:44:00.000-05:002009-04-29T10:44:00.000-05:00With two grandchildren in tow, I bet you were reli...With two grandchildren in tow, I bet you were relieved!:) Thanks for sharing!Anne Carrolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459916746850595922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9214972889018241369.post-83444328385332103152009-04-29T08:56:00.000-05:002009-04-29T08:56:00.000-05:00My husband and I had went to see my daughter who w...My husband and I had went to see my daughter who was working in Denver at the time. We had stayed a few days and then started home. We were bringing two of the grandchildren back with us. We had car trouble in Kansas, barely got off the side of the interstate. A couple with their son stopped almost immediately. They were local so they knew of a repair shop close. The problem turned out to be minor, but it could have been worse, if they had not stopped immediately and helped. They would not take anything for helping us but our thanks:)Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625886775965231468noreply@blogger.com