Stories by kmc_sjc (5 matches)

Because fire fighters need appreciation too!

Last summer, on one of the hottest days in San Jose, California, a small fire broke out on the deck of one of our neighbors in our condominium complex. San Jose Fire responded immediately and quickly took care of the situation. As is always the case, they responded in full firefighting gear, despite the 100º+ temperature.

After they departed the property, my son suggested that we should do something nice for the firefighters. I asked what he had in mind. "Let's get them some pie and ice cream and take it to the fire station." So we did.

We delivered three pies and three quarts of ice cream about 7:30 that evening. The look on the faces of the firefighters was priceless. Pure gratitude -- just as we were grateful for all they did to keep our community safe that day.

The Watermelon

I was in line at the grocery store check-out counter waiting for the woman ahead of me to pay for her groceries. At first, I wasn't paying attention to what was going on. Soon, however, I realized that she was struggling to decide which item or items to leave behind, as the combination of food stamps and cash still left her unable to pay for everything in her basket.

The woman said she would pass on the watermelon. With that, the young girl with the woman reminded her that she had promised they would get watermelon that day. The woman gently explained her financial situation to the small child, but the disappointment in the little girl's eyes was unmistakable. I got the attention of the cashier and offered to pay for the watermelon.
 
The cost, to me, was nothing. The joy, however, in the eyes of the woman and young child was priceless. I was so grateful for the opportunity to do something so simple. In fact, I think I benefited more from this act of kindness than they did.

 

My Hunger For Food, His Hunger For Connection

I was hungry, so I took my 8-year-old Shih Tzu, "Jack," on a walk to my favorite café, about a quarter-mile from my home. They have a nice outside patio area which, in the late afternoon, is usually vacant. I ordered a burger and iced tea and went outside to await my order. While waiting for my meal, a homeless man on a bicycle stopped to ask if there was a grocery store in the neighborhood. After I gave him directions, he asked if I had graduated from Santa Clara University. (I was wearing a SCU t-shirt.) I told him that, yes, I graduated some time ago. Little did I know that this simple response would lead to a 90-minute conversation. The man, Michael, told me he was 50 years old. He was intelligent. Very intelligent. Unfortunately, drug use had derailed both his formal education and his pursuit of success in the ... Read Full Story >>

Learning Qualities of Empathetic Listening

Have you ever had someone tell you, "I know exactly how you feel"? Or, have you ever said that very thing to someone else?  A friend recently lost his job -- to what, in today's business world, is commonly referred to as "restructuring." Others call it for what it often is -- out with the old, in with the new. He was devastated. He loved his job. He was doing what he felt called to do. He was being compensated appropriately for his time and skills. And he's four years away from retirement. Speaking with him at a local café yesterday, he was sharing his sense of loss, describing his disappointment, anger, frustration, and fear. As we spoke, an acquaintance of his approached our table and, though not invited to do so, sat down to join us. Within seconds of comprehending what my friend and I were discussing, he blurted out, "I ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift Of Anonymity

The Gift of Anonymity I've been described as a social person. It's true. I enjoy meeting people. I love getting together with friends for lunch or a drink at Starbucks and spending hours just talking. I'm usually pretty good at remembering people's names, too. And, most often, I'm comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with others, despite the fact that….. I'm male. For several years now, I've been a faithful Facebook user. When social media emerged in the technology world, I couldn't think of any reason why I would make use of it. I thought it was just for teens and young adults. My boys had MySpace accounts, then switched over to Facebook. My siblings, too, created FB accounts. When my wife launched her FB page, I wondered why. Then, when my mother -- yes, my mother (she's 86) -- created a Facebook page, I decided to give in and join the ... Read Full Story >>

A Slice of Kindness For His First Day On The Job

Compassion can heal

For Me It Was More Than Just A Batch of Brownies

Opening My Heart, Hearth, and Home

I touched her hands-and she my heart

Smiling At 'strangers'