Stories by afriendlysmile (13 matches)

Band-Aid for A Broken Heart

I'd just like to share this story I have just read with you: "Hi Mum, what are you doing?", asked Susie. "I'm making a casserole for Mrs Smith next door," said her mother. "Why?" asked Susie, who was only six years old. "Because Mrs Smith is very sad; she lost her daughter and she has a broken heart.  We need to take care of her for a little while." "Why, Mum?" "You see, Susie, when someone is very, very said, they have trouble doing the little things like making dinner or other chores.  Because we're part of a community and Mrs Smith is our neighbour we need to do some things to help her.  Mrs Smith won't ever be able to talk with her daughter or hug her do all those wonderful things that mum and daughters do together. You are a very smart gir, Susie; maybe you'll think of some way to help take care ... Read Full Story >>

A Chance Encounter And a Priceless Lesson

Last weekend, I was walking across the village green when I saw an elderly gentleman on the bench, just  overlooking the duck pond.  I thought he looked abit forlorn so I went over and sat next to him. After a few comments about how nice the weather was and how there were alot of ducks in the pond today , he told me how he used to come with his wife and watch the children feed the ducks with their mums.  They didn't have any children of their own. He explained he had been married for 54 years when his wife died and how much he missed sharing all the little things with her.   Like a beautiful sunset .  He now lives in a care home.  I remarked at how wonderful it must've been to have been married for so long and to have so many happy memories.  He took out a large ... Read Full Story >>

Swift Reaction At a Circus

Once when I was a teenager,  my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus.  Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.  This family made a big impression on me.  There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12.  You could tell they didn't have a lot of money.  Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean.  The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by-two behind their parents, holding hands.  They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night.  One could sense they had never been to the circus before.  It promised to be a highlight of their young lives. The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be.  The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as ... Read Full Story >>

Welcome Gift For A New Neighbor

A new neighbour has moved into the bungalow that an old friend used to occupy.  He was always popping over with fruits from his garden, films of  his world travel and sometimes just  for a cup of tea and a chat.  He suddenly died and it was so sad to see his empty property.

Now a lady has moved in.  So I went over and introduced myself -- she is a lovely friendly person.  While she was out, I went over and popped a  "welcome to your new home" card through the door, left a bunch of flowers and a smile  card on her doorstep.

When I returned later that day she was laughing and chatting with another neighbour about who could have left the gift.   We all ended up laughing and smiling.  And it looks like the start of a happy friendship.  It is so important to create relationships with your neighbours.

A little thought is often all that's required.

Who Can I Make Happy Today

March is here, spring just round the corner, crocus are bursting with colour. I visited the charity  table.  All the things I donated last week have gone but instead of just books and records there is a variety of items, tools, garden seeds, even some tins of cat and dog food. This time I donated a pair of gloves, a scarf, a child's toy, a chess set and some paint brushes.  People have a chance to get something they need and get the pleasure of giving. I was so pleased that other people were getting involved I decided to try and do another smiley act. I wandered around - would it be a lone elderly lady or a pleasant shop keeper?  Then I spotted a young man trying to get people to change there gas supply.  People just grunted at him or ignorned him as if he had a cloak of invisibility.  So I ... Read Full Story >>

Six year old Adam's Gift To Us All

A story that made me appreciate how precious life is. While recuperating from her second open heart surgery at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, my six-year-old daughter Kelley was moved from the intensive care unit to the floor with  the other children.  Because a section of the floor was closed, Kelley was put in the wing reserved for cancer patients. In the adjacent room, a six-year-old boy named Adam was fighting a battle with leukemia.  Adam stayed at the hospital for a portion of each month while receiving chemotherapy treatments.  Every day Adam sauntered into Kelley's room to visit, pushing the pole that held his chemotherapy bag.  Despite the discomfort of the treatments, Adam was always smiling and cheerful.  He entertained us for hours with his many stories.  Adam had a way of finding the positive and the humor in any situation, however difficult. One particular day, I was feeling tired and anxious ... Read Full Story >>

An Old Man's Can of Oil

Wherever he went, he carried it with him.  If he found a door that was squeaking, he would put a spot of oil on the hinges; if a neighbour's sewing machine wasn't running smoothly, he was always ready with his oil can; and all the boys in the neighbourhood knew where to go if their bikes were needing attention.

As the old man went through life, he and his oil can were always there to make life pleasanter and easier for those with whom he came into contact.

It is only a story I've heard, but perhaps some of the folk we meet have problems that make their life difficult and irritable.  And perhaps, like that old man, we can lubricate it with the oil of kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness.

If we have our own can of oil ready for such occasions, what a difference it can make!

A shop full of smiles

Hi Everyone,

While packing a bag of items for a charity shop in the village, I thought about the volunteers who work there.  Every week they turn up and donate their time.

I thought I would take them a little surprise.  I got a nice thank you card and wrote in the message.   (For the happy and friendly ladies who work here, your time is very appreciated).  With the donated items and a bunch of flowers I went and handed them over.

You should have seen the happy faces - the whole shop was full of smiles. 

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity by Joseph Addison.

Afriendlysmile :):)

Super Act Of Kindness

Just read this story in our evening paper.

A local volunteer and mum is selling her £375,000 ($750,000) house to build a help centre in Northern Uganda. Over the past six years she has made several trips to the impovrished country and worked at the Kasana Childrens Centre in Luweero, now she plans to stay out there indefinitely.

She says "I have a vision to build a help centre for people who are in times of trouble there, those who have lost members of their families through Aids and other ways. For example, I met one woman who had gone looking for her eldest daughter who had gone missing.  When she got back, her house had burned down and her two babies had died in the fire."

"She had nothing.  I want to be able to help people like this and provide them shelter".

What a wonderful kind woman and  a pure shining light in this  sometimes murky world. Also we realize how fortunate we are compared to the people she is trying to help.

God bless her and her cause.

Afriendlysmile :)

Five Pounds For A Big Issue

I was in the city of York this last week.  If you are ever near  Yorkshire, don't miss going there -- you will not be disappointed.  The history of the city goes right back to the Romans and Vikings, when it used to be called Jorvik.  There are so many fabulous places to visit, like the stunning cathedral.

I thought I would do an act on kindness on the oldie worldie streets.  I saw a man was selling Big Issue magazines for a £1 -- it is a scheme for homeless people to raise money.  He wasn't having much luck as everybody just averted their eyes;  it must be soul  destroying to be ignored all the time. 

I went over to him and said hi and gave him £5.  Quickly, he started to find the change and I told him it didn't matter.  You would not of believed the transformation that came over him when he gave me a big smile!  He looked a different person, a human being with a heart and soul.

"Thank you, thank you," he beamed.  I felt really pleased that such a little can make a big a difference to someones day.

A Beautiful Day

The sun is shinging, birds are singing it feels really good to be alive.

Got a lovely surprize today a box of chocolates and biscuits.

They where from a young couple we know who have a baby  a few months old.

The baby was  quite ill in hospital a few weeks ago and when I visted them they had been sleeping at the hospital and only eating crisps and biscuits.  I gave them £10 to get something to eat and told them to take a few hours break and I would watch the baby.  The hugs and kisses I got when they got back made my day.

Feeling on top of the world I decided to take a housebound neighbour a brighly coloured house plant, I made her a cup and we had a chat.

What a perfect day!

Stage Hand

Been very busy lately helping out with scenery, costumes and props for the school play.

I asked one girl performer  what night her mother was coming to watch, she looked rather down and said she wasn't.  I know that her mum is single and would not have much money, so last night on the way to the opening we called at her house and said we had a spare ticket, she jumped at the chance to come.

The beaming face of her daughter when she saw her mum sitting next to us was worth a million pounds.

Love and Smiles

Afriendlysmile  

Carrier Bag Angel

Last Saturday on a shopping trip I noticed a lady with four carrier bags come out of the store and walk to the bus stop.  That particular bus goes my way so I thought I would ask her if she wanted a lift with it being a chilly day and the weekend service being a bit sparce.

She most gladly excepted.  Chatting on the way, she revealed she was a cartaker for her sick husband and elderly mother.  One of the highlights of her week is the flower arranging she does at church. 

Despite the daily grind that this lady had to endure, she had such a positive and cheerful outlook in thinking of others to brighten up their lives with flowers.  It made me think how we are surrounded by angels in the most unexpected forms.   She was so thankful for my little help. I gave her a big hug and said she had made my day.

A big thanks to all caretakers out there.

Advice From An Old Man

Carrier Bag Angel

A trip to the grocery store

Inspired

Breakfast Kindness