On Monday, writer Nicole Cliffe asked people to share the kindest thing a stranger has said or done to them. The responses are beautiful.
Here are some of the best I came across:
1. This hug from a stranger:
I was stranded in an airport alone when I was 17 after my connection was cancelled, I was clearly distressed and needed my mom. This woman came over and asked if she could give me a hug, and I just bawled into her arms, and she told me it would be ok. I'll never forget that.
54 people are talking about this
2. This woman shared a time a stranger defended her against body-shamers:
I was 8 and at the park district pool and boys were making fun of me for being fat and as I started walking away crying this gorgeous college-age woman sprung to my defense and got them kicked out and then she had me come over to hang out with her gorgeous coed friends
They were so sweet and patient with me. Who was like. Deeply anxious and needy and abused and unloved and all sorts of things. But they just shared their tab and trashy magazines and painted my nails blue and told me I was pretty and they liked my bathing suit.
121 people are talking about this
3. And this woman shared a similar story:
I was at the grocery store when I was pregnant with my 6yo. I am short and carried HUGE so people were constantly stopping me to say things like "you're about to pop!" which this lady did, and when I said I was still 6 months, she was horrified. "Oh my god I was NEVER that big."
This woman literally rolled her cart between us, stood close to that woman and looked me in the eye and said "I THINK YOU LOOK GREAT." Then glared at the woman and rolled away.
35 people are talking about this
4. This empathetic couple:
Ex and kid and I had just gotten off a red-eye flight during which the baby was overtired, feverish and crying much of the flight. Couple in their 60s sidled up to us at baggage claim and the woman said "You two are doing a great job" and I promptly burst into tears.
47 people are talking about this
5. And this caring doctor:
A doctor held my hand while I cried before being knocked out & having a D & C because I had miscarried & needed surgery. The last thing I remember was him standing over me holding my hand & saying “it’s gonna be ok, Elaine”. He wasn’t even my OB, but I switched to him after that
See laney's other Tweets
6. These generous people:
I used to work at a homeless shelter. I knew a few men who, when they had some spare change and were bored, would walk around and feed parking meters.
61 people are talking about this
7. This wholesome hipster:
I’ve told this story before but it remains the best: One time when I was living in San Francisco I had a panic attack downtown and a kindly hipster rescued me and escorted me home, concerned that I might get even more lost and freaked out.
The best part of the story, though, is that his friends kept saying he should just call the cops and he said something along the lines of ‘we don’t call the cops on people in mental health distress, it isn’t safe, I’ll meet up with you guys later.'
152 people are talking about this
8. This apologetic driver:
Dude in truck honked at me at intersection while I waited for older woman to cross street. I gave him the finger. He honked again. I gave big middle finger wave. He followed me to parking lot. Blocked my car. I got out ready to throw. He got out. HUGE MAN. I thought I'm dead. 1/2
He put out his hand to shake. Explained he honked but noticed his error when he saw the woman so honked again to say sorry. He followed me to personally apologize so he wouldn't ruin my day. We shook hands. Changed me forever. And I was glad he didn't waste me. 2/2
82 people are talking about this
9. This subway angel:
I fainted on the subway once and a kind, elderly Chinese woman who spoke no English waited with me, held my hand, and fed me grapes while we waited for the EMTs. When they finally came, she patted my hand three times and put my hand on her heart before leaving.
273 people are talking about this
10. This beautiful man:
A stranger stopped me from jumping from an overpass over the autobahn when I had a stillborn. He listened. He let me cry as much as I needed. Than he told me that he doesn’t understand why bad things happen to some, but to keep hope that things will get better. He was right.
75 people are talking about this
11. This patient, thoughtful man:
We once had a man wait outside a restaurant for god knows how long. When we got to our car he told us he noticed our car seats AND that our brakes were visibly bad. He worked for a shop & replaced our brake system free to keep the kids safe because he knew it would be expensive.
44 people are talking about this
12. And this beautiful staff:
Had 1 day to start IVF with no warning due to aggressive cancer diagnosis. Private cost $10,000; Doc made a call to Public hospital; got in same day. Nurses all stayed late to get my treatment underway. Cost: basically free. Got two eggs and 3.5 years later had my baby daughter.
169 people are talking about this
13. This helpful stranger:
i was driving in a snowstorm in rochester As One Does, but wasn't used to the car and slid into a snowbank some 12 feet from the driveway i was aiming for and got stuck. a stranger pulled over in traffic and helped me dig the car out, then went on his way.
73 people are talking about this
14. This complimentary woman:
One time I was finishing a reading before class & was sitting on a bench outside. A stranger tapped my shoulder & said, “I’m sorry, but the way the light was shining on you, you looked like an angel” then walked off. I think abt her every day
170 people are talking about this
15. This owner:
My mother had just died after a brutal fight with cancer. I walk aimlessly & eventually wandered into a Mexican diner. I had delicious green chilaquiles, and then realized I didn’t have my wallet.
The owner told not to worry.
It was exactly what my mom would have done.
129 people are talking about this
Now if you'll excuse me...
Fox