Random Acts Of Kindness

I did it this morning while walking Ruff. There is an elderly homeless foreign lady who I so often see and is always in the same place. How I admire her! She is dressed in so many clothes and carries her wordly possessions with her and there is a deep sadness in her eyes. This morning, I packed a 1kg bag of soft pitted dates and a 1kg bag of almonds that I received for free from Buywholefoodsonline as I order so much from them! I do love dates – there is nothing more delicious than cutting a date open and adding a half a teaspoon of crunchy peanut butter for the sweetest, most delicious treat….but I do have another half eaten bag, so I felt this made the perfect nutritious gift for someone living on the streets…my only worry was that she may have a nut allergy!

I left the bag of wholesome goodness next to her and Ruff sniffed her sleeping blanketed body suspiciously and I silently left before anyone else noticed. It left me with such warmth as I slipped away and walked on with Ruff without her noticing.

I have done it before too while working as a GP vet. There was one particular young man who used to bring in his highly stressed cat and we all despaired when we saw his name pop up on our consultation screens. He would arrive  always dressed in a high viz top with long greasy blonde hair and overwhelming body odour, and he would open the catbox to release his black cat that was semi-feral and most of the consultation was spent trying to catch his cat that was as stressed as he was in the tiny space.

He would tell us how his cat was his only companion and the only thing that loved him. He cared for his very elderly and ill Dad and he was desperately lonely. This was about 4 years ago. I remember scribbling down his address once he left as his desperation left such a mark on me. While buying the usual extensive gifts for my family, that year I bought a huge chocolate selection box, I carefully wrapped it and left a note saying something like “Thank you for all that you do for your father – he is so lucky to have you”. I do remember feeling quite emotional as I posted the parcel.

A year later, while consulting on a busy Saturday morning, his name popped up on my screen and I called him through expecting the usual chaos….but even though his cat was as stressed as usual, this man had undergone quite a change. The body odour had gone, and he had obviously been joining a gym as he appeared stronger and had certain pride in his appearance. I would never know whether receiving the anonymous gift made a difference to his life, but lovely to think that it may have:) I have never shared this story before (it has always been my own secret) but I know that you may have similar stories and experiences of random acts of kindness. If you have, you will know exactly how it feels:)