What's the Nicest Thing Anyone Has Done for You?

The nicest thing, just today, was that my 3 almost 4 year old son told me:
"You're the best Mommy in the whole wide world...." in his own words. And then he hugged and kissed me. He told me that just out of the blue.. for no particular reason.
It makes me feel appreciated.... because other than that, I don't get much of that. LOL
Ugh.

all the best,
Susan

Smile, be friendly & TALK to me. (I am deaf and feel isolated a lot because all I get most of the time are the standard "hi, how are you, good, bye" but no REAL conversation.)

Probably not what you're looking for though. A fun card & a note of appreciation in the mail, an outing for lunch or whatever together. Probably not *the* nicest thing anyone has ever done, I'll have to think more on that.

My parents gave me a happy childhood! You don't have to have money to do that for someone. My husband supported me while I went back to school and earned my Masters Degree so I could change careers.

no home, no money, no friends, no family, in my early 20s...that was my start in the states. yes, i had a backpack. i had just come from the most terrible period of my and anyone's life. then i met her. she met me. she invited me to her home, a total stranger, she knew nothing about me or my family, but she made me her daughter. 11 years later, she's still my mom. how can i thank her?
i can't, but my kids call her grandma.

My husband carried our daughter to her grave. I had forgotten to ask someone to be her pallbearer. We didn't discover it until we were on the way to the cemetery. We mulled it around and I offered to do it, but he said no mother should have to carry their child to their grave. I fell in love with him all over again that day.

I don't have a specific example for you, but your post and all the answers made me think of the five love languages. These are basically ways that people feel loved (and give love in return). Here are the five and quickly what they are:
Physical touch (hugs, pats on the back, kisses, etc.)
Gifts (anything large or small - from a gift card to a flower)
Acts of Service (doing something - wash the car, mow the yard)
Quality Time (undivided attention given to the person - conversation or time)
Words of Affirmation (encouragement or positive recognition)

The theory says that we give love the same way we want to receive it. My husband is a physical touch, so he is very affectionate but also needs that from me to feel loved. I'm not a physical touch, so I have to consciously make that effort to touch and hug and kiss him because that's what he needs. I'm a gifts/words of affirmation, so that's what I naturally want to do for him.

When showing appreciation (love) to someone, consider covering more than one category if you don't know what love language that person needs. A physical touch or words of affirmation person may not think as highly of a gift card than someone who is a gifts or acts of service.

A possible solution could be to write a heart-felt note (words of aff) and put a gift card (gift) for a "service" inside (like cleaning or free car wash), then hand-deliver it (quality time) with a hug (physical touch). Then you'll have all the bases covered :)

On a different note, my MOPS group gave everyone a little box with kind words that other moms had written about us. Whenever I have a down day, I pull out the box and read all the encouraging comments about me. That might be a fun gift to give.

When I was working at a cafeteria and going to school with the little one on my own, I had a regular customer whom I got to know pretty well. I used to save his favorite dish for him if he got in late and would pull it out of the frige for him when he arrived. During the Christmas rush, when he was done eating he motioned for me to clear his table as he slipped out the door. He had left a $100 tip for me. Oh how I needed that money.

Good question, I have a few but one that I'll never forget happened about 8 years ago when my husband and I were still very young with a newborn baby girl.

Money was tight, we were living in a one bedroom apt with barely enough money to pay the bills. We went to get gas in the small truck my husband owned one night on the way to my moms house and my husband had about $5 in change, literally quarters and dimes to pay for the gas.

We weren't "broke" just struggling and we needed gas so he payed with the rest of the change he had in his pockets. As he was pumping, an elderly man who had been in the station and noticed him paying with change came up to him at the pump to hand him some money. He said he had seen him paying with "change" and just wanted to help. (keep in mind, this man had not seen me or had any idea we had a newborn baby to care for and he still wanted to help). My husband quickly told him no thank you, we're ok but the man insisted and said to him to just make sure he helps someone out anytime he sees someone else in need of help.

So with him insisting he take the money, my husband thankfully accepted (assuming it was nothing more than maybe a $10 or $20) gets in the truck to drive off, looks at the money and sees the man gave him a $100 bill!!

I will never forget that man or that day.......he was like an angel, I mean who does that kind of stuff for strangers? He didn't know anything about my husband, only felt bad for him and gave him $100 of his hard earned money. By the time he realized what he had given us, the man was gone and never seen again....but never forgotten. We remind ourselves all the time about what he did for us and will always remember what he said, to just help someone else who we see that needs help.

I wish I could see him one more time and give him a BIG hug.....we will always be so very thankful for what he did that day. It was such a blessing. : )

Sometimes the simplest things can mean so much to a person....

I lost my older sister this past January, she was only 42, ten years older than me, to a heart condition. It was very sudden and my heart literally broke when I heard my mothers voice on the phone that morning with the saddening news.

I was unfortunatly on the other line with a girl from work coaching her through my activities for the day because I was home sick... When she heard me crying uncontrollably and found out what had just happened, she just told me not to worry about work, she would handle it.

When I came home from spending the day consoling my neice and nephew and brother in law, I found not only a huge food basket, but a gift card to the grocery store, a card signed by all of the employees and a really nice plant basket.

The grocery store card helped me offer some food to my sisters household, the card helped me cope, and the planter stills sits right on my kitchen counter, where I water it every day and think wonderful thoughts of my sister.

When I returned to work the following week, I found that she really did handle it all while I was gone, including getting other staff to come into my department and help with every little thing.

She truly is a great co-worker, always thoughtful, and actually cares. I wish more people could be like her. ( o-yeah, I should probably mention that I had been working at the same place for 5 years, but had just moved into my department in November, so I really had only known her for 2 months or so before this happened.)

I think most tiomes we act surprised when strangers, or near strangers show acts of kindness... but it happens all the time, people see someone in need and react.
I know I have tried to be more like that for the past couple of months!

I was having a horrible day and nothing was going right. My daughters kept screaming, I had to run to the store to get formula and food. I spent forver in the store trying to get my girls to calm down. I get to the check out stand and go to grab my debit from my walet... guess what? I had left it at home... I told the girl to just forget it and I would come back after my hubby got home. The lady behind me asked what the problem was and I told her nothing everything was fine. She looked at me shook her head and told the lady to ring it up on her list. I kept begging the lady not to do it. She didnt listen. She told me that if I wanted to thank her then I should take a minute to relax. She told me she knew what it was like to be a young mom and that having 2 babies so close is a handful. I told her I couldnt except the food she had bought. She smiled and told me she did it to make things easier with me and that people should be more willing to help other people out. I tired to repay her and she refused! I ended up leaving (with everything I had went to the store for) and having this feeling that I still can not explain. I think about it all the time and the smile the lady gave me. She sent me home with the warmest of all hearts. I went back that weekend and the cashier who had checked me out the day it had happened asked me if I knew the lady. I said no and she literly stoped and stared at me. She told me she had NEVER seen anyone do something like that for a complete stranger. To some people thats probably not much, but with the day I had been having... I wish I could see the woman again, to thank her AGAIN. I went and helped out someone the very next day and I try everday to help. Whether its helping someone find the correct size diapers/pull ups, needing extra change or whatever it may be. Everytime I do I remember how wonderful that lady was to me... Sorry this was long it brought that feeling back and I had to share. God Bless!

Several things come to mind that happened in the last 2 months. My beautiful, healthy mother (age 60) passed away on vacation with my dad in Mexico on May 16th. Such a shock! She was my best friend. Here are some of the nice things people did following this tragedy:

My mom was founding floating in the resort swimming pool; a young couple did CPR on her for 45 minutes without stopping until some sort of "medical team" arrived. The couple thought Mom was already dead when she was pulled out of the water, but they kept working on her anyway.

A second couple at the resort stayed by my Dad's side another HOUR in the pouring rain until the coroner came to pronounce my mother dead and take her body away. My dad had only known that couple for one afternoon.

When I heard the news at 6:15 on a Monday morning, I went running across the street like a crazy woman, banging on my neighbor's door (my husband was out of town). My sweet neighbor jumped out of bed, ran to the door and just held me and let me bawl. She then came over to my house, called work for me, held me while I called my husband, helped me get my 3-year-old to daycare, and drove me to my grandma's house so that I could break the news to her in person. This same neighbor organized dinners the following week and was just "there".

I had some photos made at Wolf/Ritz Camera for the service. I was very tearful when I came to pick them up. The manager (whom I'd never met before) asked me if I was okay. I told him what the pics were for, and he came around the counter, asked if he could hug me, and gave the pics for free.

Another day, I went to get a massage and was sitting in the "quiet room" with others waiting for our massage time. I began to cry pretty hard (as quietly as I could). The man across the room saw me and I said I was sorry. He said, "It's okay." I closed my eyes to try to stop crying more, and when I opened them, the man's wife was squatted down beside me with her hand on my shoulder. She didn't say a word--just looked at me with these caring eyes. I told her why I was sad, and she just nodded her head and patted my back as I spoke. When I stopped talking, she asked if she could have my name so that she and her husband could pray for me that night. Wow!

One last thing . . . since Mom died, I had been silently hoping someone would give me a bracelet, necklace, figurine, or something for me to hold or wear in remembrance of her. About 2 weeks after she died, a friend of hers who makes jewelry sent me a charm bracelet she made and a beautiful letter!! I opened it and read the letter, and of course, started crying. My 3-year-old son asked what was wrong and offered hugs. He asked again why I was crying and I finally told him, "I miss my mommy!" As he wiped the tears off my face, he looked at me and said, "I'll be your mommy."

Thanks for posting this question. I've been wanting to share these stories.

Mine is actually happening right now. I have a unique situtation, my husband and I are full time care givers for his mother. We have a 3 yr old and one on the way and the only vacations we get are seperate (cause one always has to stay to take care of his mom). My nieghbor is actually raking care of her for the next 3 days so we were able to take my 3 year old to Disneyland before the new baby comes. It means more than the owrld to me that she would do this to give us some wonderful family time. So we are here at Disney enjoying ourselves (daughter is napping right now so I am sneaking in some computer time hehe)

one time I was sitting outside with my son and this lady in a white jeep turns around and pulls into the drive to the parking lot(we live in an apartment)and stops gets out and walks up to and takes my hand and says god told me to stop here and so here you are take this and buy you a new outfit,use this for whatever you may need and in my hand she handed me a 100 dollar bill,I beg and pleaded at her and told her we were fine and my family is a very giving family and she would need this for herself ands she said,well still use it for what you need i have to listen to god and he told me to stop here may god bless her to this day,she was an angel. always do unto others as they would do for you,that's the greatest gift. thanks and god bless!!

We had an armed robbery home invasion. We decided to move. Since it wasn't planned, money was tight. Someone anonimously sent us a beautiful card saying they were praying for us and put $50 in it. Another neighbor gave us a beautiful scripture she had done in caligraphy.
When my oldest son was 2 and a half and I was pregnant, we headed off to the Dallas zoo, about a 20 mile trip from our house. When I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I had no cash. The attendant paid it for me.
Victoria

Wow! I have a bunch of examples. Here are two.

I had just bought my first home (I was single) and I was going on a planned vacation with my BFF for a week. My boyfriend at the time, completely cleaned and re-pointed the brick on my house while I was gone AND painted my shutters AND awnings as a surprise for when I got back.

On the same trip, we went to SF airport to return home, I dropped my friend, baggage, carry on bags at the curbside check in and went myself to return the rental car. Got completely lost and was heading back onto the freeway! In complete panic, I exited and asked a courier truck driver where Avis was--I must of looked completely stricken because he took O. look at me, said "Follow me!", changed lanes, and led me right to the rental return. An angel in a courier uniform for sure.

Oh by the way, the boyfriend who re-pointed my brick house is now my husband! :-)

Recently I was talking to a friend about a particularly tough time that I had with a certain number of "friends" and how they had excluded my son from their sons' birthday parties and playdate activities even though our boys are all the same age and are in the same kindergarten class, most likely because my son has autism. When my friend told me, "I've been meaning to tell you, L., how much I admire all that you have done for your son . . ." I felt 10 feet tall. Sometimes a simple, sincere compliment can lift the soul.

i love this thread :)
when i was a kid and our family had just recently moved into our house and didnt know anyone, there was a huge snowstorm and we couldnt get out. knock on the door, it was our neighbor across the street, who had a severe limp from years of polio, came across in 3 feet of snow with a bag of bagels and cream cheese for our family. never forgot that.

The kindest things are the things that strangers do on a daily basis. It really makes you want to pay it forward. Whether it's complimenting a strangers shirt, or holding a door open when you've got your hands full of kids, those things mean the world to me and I do my best to even simply smile at people in stores and stuff. The greatest gift you can give is give appreciation and respect without expecting anything in return, because a gift with strings attached is no gift at all. Just trying to be a nicer, happier person to everyone and everyone makes me happier, makes me feel better about myself, and it makes me feel good when other people I don't even know are out there doing the same thing. Just SMILE :)

K.: What a wonderful post...so positive. A nice way to give reflective pause especially in the fast paced life of parenting.

I have a dear friend that is so very thoughtful. Years ago when I was newly married, my mother became terminally ill. I moved back home to care for her. The days were long, emotional and physically exhausting. My friend (a nurse) came over and had dinner with me. She helped ease our (mine and my mother's) fears, prayed with us and provided support. Mom died about 2 months later. Shortly after her death, this same friend sent me a very generous gift card to a local restaurant to use on a very long overdue date night with my husband.

Another example with the same friend: One of my favorite musical artists was appearing at a bookstore close to my friend's hometown. I asked her to go with me. She agreed. As it almost always happens, something came up at the last minute with one of the kids making it impossible for me to go. My friend went ahead without me. She bought his latest CD, had it autographed and secretly delivered it to my door a few weeks later.

Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like her!

Listen unconditionally and without judgment.

The nicest thing anyone's done for me is to be my friend, genuinely, unconditionally, and without reservation.

Most of my thoughts are from my own personal diagnosis with cancer. It's the little things. People asking how you are then, now, and always - really caring about how you as a person are doing. People who offered to take our kids for a few hours (they were 2 and 3 months at diagnosis) so my husband could mow the yard, go grocery shopping, etc.
One coworker drove me home from chemo a few times so my husband could get the kids from day care.

The NICEST thing has been people who wear a LIVESTRONG bracelet for me during and after treatment. I will wear one forever in honor of all the people I know who have, are fighting, are survivors and have lost the cancer battle. Believe me, you notice when someone stops wearing it, and it hurts tremendously.

For me, though, the only appreciation I really ever seek is a "Thank you" and a smile (or hug).

Thanks for posting a really nice message this morning. I needed it as my soon-to-be 36 year old cousin has had a bad diagnosis of cancer, too, 18 days after the birth of his daughter.

I'm actually thankful for your post.
I have been so fortunate to have so many people do kind things for me that there is no way I could put "nicest" on any of them.
I've had a rough few days. Very rough.
Today, there were flowers and a card left on my doorstep from two of my dearest friends telling me how much they love me and what a good person I am. They said to never forget how much I have meant to them no matter what seems to fall apart around me.
It's their anniversary and they thought of ME.

They were headed for divorce years ago. I actually met the husband first during a separation, we have boys the same age, I was moving to a different house and he offered to help me move. I called the number and got his wife who wanted to know just why the heck I was calling her husband. But, offering to help someone was exactly his nature and she and I became best of friends too.
Anyway, some of her friends didn't like her husband spending time with me, didn't like him coming to my house. They kept telling her I was "after her man." A couple of them even called me a slut. Women can be so mean. It couldn't have been farther from the truth.
I loved them both so much that I couldn't bear to see them break up. He confided in me. She confided in me. They are both such good people, I knew they could fix things. He had to give a little. She had to give a little. What they were doing wasn't working and it was time for a new approach or they were going to throw it all away.
Anyway, that was 12 years ago.
The nicest thing that happened to me, today, was them celebrating another anniversary and buying me flowers and a card for the love I've shown them. I never let them give up.

Listen, I'm no saint. I wanted them together for selfish reasons. How could I possibly divide my loyalty between two people that I loved so much? And their kids?

There are all kinds of ways to touch someone's life and show appreciation.
Even random acts of kindness go a long way.

I hope you get some great responses.
For today, my heart is full.

Best wishes.

After my hearing issues reached a sudden drop off (sensitivity to sound and hearing loss), many people in the general public have NOT been nice. I'm 52, single. I have found out who IS nice in this world (even more understanding than my own mother, sadly) and that has been my friend Donna. She is such a wonderful friend to so many people. Beautiful on the inside AND the out (she turns every head in the room). Thank you Donna...and please, everyone, realize that everyone of us, nearly, is fighting a 'battle' or series of that you may not see. Look people in the eyes, and give them a genuine smile and comment...everyone you meet needs it.

when my car burnt to the ground out fo state in the winter on the way to a funeral the 911 dispatcher took up a collection for us. they offered us a rental car a bus ticket or a collection. the money she collected was used to replace what was lost in the car fire. a little goes a long way. I didn't realize till I got to the funeral my sons shoes had burnt up since he was in a sleeper. they bought me diapers wipes a diaper bag tippies gave me 3 baby blankets.

they also called ahead when we got 50 miles down the road we got met by a state trooper whos police force had also taken up a collectioin for us. they bought us diner at mcdonalds we chose the resturant even though they offered us a nice restraunt due to the play area.

Even if they only donated $1 that bought a tippy cup. we needed everything from deodrant to toothbrushes and shoes and etc. take up a collection for them if they are strapped for money. tell people the $1-$2 donations can make a huge diffrence to someone in a bad predicament. if they donate $5 even better.
the only way we had to show appreciation to god only knows how many people was by the papers and thank you cards. and we probably didnt get it expressed to everyone involved. you asked what the nicest thing done for us was and that was it and man was it a desperately needed blessing. you don't realize how much someone looses in a fire till you been there.

I was doing a pedicure at home and my then 3yr old son took lotion and lotioned my feet for me.

I was crying once for something and my 16 mo old son wipes the tears from my eyes and gave me a pat on the shoulder...that brought MORE tears..:-))

I was having a tough day and my husband made breakfast for me in bed - just because - it wasn't any special occasion

My sister bought my favorite snack and drove 30 mins out of her way to give it to me

I once came home to flowers planted in my front yard. My girl friend took it upon herself to surprise me. I just thought it was the nicest thing anyone just did for me because she wanted to.

I think that mailing a card is a big thing. I know that when I receive a card in the mail "just because", it means so much. A friend of mine likes to suprise people by making them dinner and delivering it to their home. For my husband, I like to write him a little love note and put it in his truck to find in the morning, or in his lunch box. (Can you tell what my Love Language is?) The small things make a difference.
I am glad you asked this question K.! It has been awesome to read all the posts!

when my father passed away last fall, one of the ladies who visited the funeral said one of the sweetest things to me: she said that he was always a very courteous gentleman. He always took the time to greet her, always had a personal question for her, & always opened the door for her or made a point to assist her in some way.

It brought home the fact that Dad did make a point, not only to do this himself, but to instill that grace in his grandsons......& attempted to promote this skill in his SILs. This innate common courtesy is now what I focus on when out & about. I take time to talk to the cashier clerks, I take time to speak with anyone giving me eye contact.....I try to say something helpful - no matter where I am.

Flipping it around, it makes me feel good to pull a smile from someone, to brighten their day.......& sometimes I have to work really hard at getting myself to break out of my "world", but it's always worth it! I consider this one of my Dad's last gifts. Peace.

I've just read all the previous responses and am practically in tears. Usually when I'm in tears first thing in the morning it's NOT for a good reason! But I've received such a lift reading what everyone has experienced and how thankful they are. It seems to me that a lot of it boils down to *seeing* other people - whether relatives, friends, or strangers - and treating them like *real people*, instead of being wrapped up in our own lives and just looking past (or using) everyone else.

Often the nicest things other folks do for me is, when they find something positive or likable in me, to say so out loud! It may not seem like much, but it makes my day to know that somebody thinks I'm worthwhile in some way. And I suspect a lot of other people might feel the same.

I think the nicest things are the unexpected. One year my neighbor cut my grass for me as a Mothers Day gift.

I've enjoyed reading the other responses. Thanks for helping me with my own trip down memory lane to remember all the nice things people have done.

One that came to mind, is when we had moved to a new city. After school, my daughters went to a friend's house to play. I received a message from this friend that they were going to a gym and I could pick up my daughters at the gym. I didn't know where this gym was or how to find it. The roads in this city were very confusing. I met my neighbor in the parking lot of our neighborhood and asked her to help me with directions. She started to explain how to get there and part way through her explanation....told me that I should just follow her and she drove ahead of me and took me to the gym. (It was about 20 minutes away.)
It meant a lot that she took the time to help me.

I have been blessed with great friends who have given care to me over the last year. My husband left me in August at that time had a bulging disk and needed surgery but also needed an adenoma removed from my adrenal gland 1st. I could not take care of myself well and 2 friends came over and cleaned my house before my first surgery and then friends just called, brought food and just visited. I have since had the back surgery and my friends are still there. Helping with yard work and lifting things that I just can't do. I also have a friend who went to court and just sat with me and waited. I have had friends take my girls places knowing that I could not do the walking or that I was working. But phone calls, emails, and just being there for me all the time that is what is great and great feeling! Hey even a card does it for me. I have one friend who will bring her bag of "tricks" nail kit and do my nails while we talk. How relaxing is that?? So I hope this helps.

first thing that came to mind is when my husband puts gas in my car. As far as non spouse, a nice written card or letter.

Our neighbor helped my husband build our deck last year because we couldn't afford to pay someone to do it. Right now, my hubby is at the neighbor's house helping him build his patio, and he feels great about being able to repay the favor. I also have a neighbor (and friend) who watches my kids for free so I can work, and I return the favor. Random acts of kindness are always a great way to show people that you care! Good for you!

When I was PTA president at our daughters school one year. One of the the moms who was also a teacher, took my daughter and her daughter to the library to finish their homework, gave our daughter a snack and let them play at her home. She then told me she would feed our daughter dinner and bring her home "Once I had gone home and had a glass of wine."
Awesome memory. She is still one of my best friends and I was honored by her mother asking me to help throw this friend, her daughter a party. I was so honored to meet her relatives and be treated like family.

I am also honored and touched each time I am asked to help anyone. I love giving and helping. I try to also ask for help, especially with new friends. I think it gives us a special bond.

My husband and I wanted to go out to dinner but didn't have a babysitter. We took our infant to the restaurant. Well, he started screaming (which was not like him) so we told the server to make our food to go (it hadn't made it to our able yet). To our surprise two other couples offered to watch the baby while we ate. I don't know if we looked desperate or what but it was the sweetest thing that meant a lot to us. We didn't take them up on it, we went ahead and went home but we have never forgotten that act of kindness.

My husband made a scrap book with photos and comments of our relationship upto the first year of marriage for our first wedding anniversary. We had bought a house and he had gone round to all the new neighbours and taken pictures of them.He wrote a story with it - a fairytale , it was the most precious and unique gift I ever had, I feel very lucky and grateful having him in my life.

My husband is one of those people who wake up and jump out of bed and is wide awake! Me...not so much! Every single morning he brings me in a cup of coffee and bagel and puts it next to me while I'm still in bed and barely awake. And while I'm "slowly" getting ready, he is getting all 3 kids up and making them breakfast. He's so sweet and kind to me, I am blessed. Oh, and he knows I LOVE flowers so every couple weeks he brings me home a bouquet for our dinning room table. He does so many things really, I think it's all the consistant little things that really add up.

This is so great to ask this question!

We have never had lots of family support for much of anything, but my husband has some co-workers that have always been there for us, especially when we went through some rough times with some serious health issue with our little girl. They would visit us in the hospital and brought bags of snacks and things for us. One girl had a son that was also in the hospital, and she talked with me for so long and that meant more to me than anything. Our little ones were dealing with very different things, but we shared a lot of the same emotions, and it was so nice to have that support.

We decided we needed to take our daughter to see a specialist in Cleveland, which is like a 16 hr car drive. Just before going on the trip, my husbands co-workers were there once again. They went shopping and got Kylie some toys, and clothes, and treats for our trip. They were very thoughtful with everything they purchases, and made sure everything was purple...you see, purple is the color for epilepsy and our daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy when she was just 5 1/2 months old.

I had sent out an email to some friends to let them know when Purple Day was...a day to wear purple in support of those with epilepsy. A friend said she was going to send me a pic of her and her co-workers. I cried when I saw the huge group of people that wre in the picture and wore purple for our little girl.

Overall, the nicest things are when people smile at you and just acknowledge you are there. Holding the door for you, having a little chat with someone in line at the store, stopping by to say hello, calling you just to see how you are doing.

One of the sweetest things ever done for me was after my mother died...I was teaching high school. I had one class of seniors and when they heard what had happened as I was out a whole week. They collected money together for a few days and then walked after school to a near by restaurant and purchased a family sized dinner and had another teacher deliver it to my home with a card for all of them.

These kids were from one of the poorest areas of our city and so to this day I have no idea how they came up with the money. In fact most of the time I was feeding them...one whole drawer of my file cabinet was full of food items they were always free to have as "snacks".

They were the best group of teens ever...they touched me more than anyone because of the sacrifice they made to comfort me.

I have to say I have been blessed many times over with niceties from friends and family. Total strangers have been really nice too in times of need. I think the best thing you can do is simple kind actions and giving of your time. If someone has a death in the family -take them food and offer to watch the kids for a little while or something. If you see someone broken down -don't endanger yourself, but stop, roll down the window and see if you can call someone for them on your cell phone. I also have to say that one of the nicest things friends and family do for me -they probably don't even know -but they trust me with their deepest, darkest secrets. Honestly, some I wish I didn't know, but it does make me feel good that they feel okay telling me their troubles. You can send a card or flowers or just pick up the phone to see if someone is okay. It really is the little stuff that often says the most.

My husband was deployed for 4 months, and I was at home with 2 young kids and a full-time job. We had a huge snowstorm, and when I looked outside the next morning, my neighbor had completely shoveled my driveway. That same neighbor cut my grass unexpectedly once Spring came. During that same time, a friend of mine kept both of my kids overnight, so I could get a good night's sleep and sleep in the next morning. It was so unexpected, so needed, and I appreciated it SO much!

My sister just graduated college and she has decided to take a job teaching the Dominican Republic for 2 years, without pay. She feels led to do this, and she has to raise the money to pay for her trip and living expenses. My husband was on a plane with a lady, and they started talking. The lady worked for a religious organization, so hubby told her the story about my sister. She ended up giving my husband a check for $500 (!!!) to give to my sister for her trip. He tried to refuse it, but she said that when God tells her to do something, she doesn't argue! She was a perfect stranger who became a guardian angel for my sister!!

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I agree with many others, what a wonderful question and for me what a great reminder that we all can help someone even in a small way. And as many others have said, I have so many thoughts that come to mind it's hard to come up with just a couple.

I often tell people that my husband and I rarely exchange presents, but we give each other gifts all the time. When the kids were little and as a mom/wife I was about at my breaking point, my dear husband would just take them somewhere and be gone for a while. Without asking or prompting!
I think someone already mentioned too about how their husband fills their gas tank for them.
My kids, now 20 and 16 telling me they love me! OK, it is a fairly rare occurrance these days, which makes it even more special!

My mom is a cancer survivor. But when she was sick I sent out emails to all my friends asking for thoughts and prayers. I have at least 2 friends who will ask about my mom and her health every time I see them even now 7 years later!

My husband and I like to do things very quietly and never want recognition for what we do. We have been known to just pick a person or a couple or even a small group of people and ask to pick up their tab at a restaurant. We ask that the server/manager NOT tell who it was (most of the time we've already left anyway) but just to say their bill was paid.

This has been a very uplifting and inspirational thread. YOU K. have already done something nice for everyone who has read through the posts!!

I'm not sure if this is the nicest, but it is the only one I can think of at the moment.
After my daughter was born & died, my check book & ID had been stolen (& used) & we had financial struggles as my husband's work was not stable & he had to drive 4 hrs. to find work. I was at home alone with our 2.5 y/o & grieving. I checked the mail one day to find an envelope with our last name on it. I opened it to find a $200 gift card to Walmart! The envelope did not have a return address or anything else on it, so someone had to walk up to my house to put it in the mail box. I can't tell you how appreciative i was. It allowed me to relax a little & not be worried about grocery money for a little while.

God bless!

It really is about the thought. My husband - then boyfriend - and I were going through a rough time. I'd called off our engagement (long story of fear of committment on my side...). It was our dating 'anniversary' and we were going to dinner. I didn't even think to get a card given the situation. He showed up to my door, with a guitar... I'd always said I wanted lessons. The card he brought shared that he thought I was a wonderful person who deserved to be happy. The guitar was for me to pursue what made me happy, and he hoped someday that would include him... I cried and we will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary this year.... I'm so lucky!

What a wonderful responses. I cant think of one huge thing that stands out, but for me it was always the little stuff. My older sister used to have a garden and she would always send me home with flowers from it. Then there were just the words of encouragement. As silly as it sounds one time after my boss made me cry my older brother offered to slash his tires for me. ( he never did it, but just knowing that he would do that made me feel better to have someone watching out for me.) Special meals nothing fancy or even coming home to find that my hubby cleaned the kitchen for me. A stranger offering me change when I have been a quarter short. Little acts or words of kindness can go such a long way. I am glad you asked this question, it makes me think of how lucky I have been and it makes me smile thinking of so many little things that have brighten my life. Thank you. :-)

What a wonderful question!!! Thanks so very much.

A friend came over and weeded my garden and told my unemployed son (he and his wife were living with my wife and me) about a job and used his influence to make sure my son got the job.

I read a story about a man that sold a greeting card company he founded to a company like Hallmark. As part of the deal he made sure each of his employees had a job with the new owners. He gave each of his employees a five figure bonus as a parting gift. The story went on to say he spent the rest of his life giving away his money anonymously.

He would put money in envelopes and go around to shelters and visit poor parts of town. When he found someone or a family that was there due to bad luck or circumstances beyond their control, he would give them an envelope with money in it and leave without ever telling them who he was. He would simply wish them well and hope they had better luck in the future. After he was almost mugged he went to the police and asked for an escort. At first they refused, not believing what he said he was doing. He refused many interviews from newspapers until he learned he had a terminal illness. (If I ever become financially independent, I would like to follow his example.)

Thanks again for your question.

I think the best thing to do is being there for them. I have this one friend who has been there through everything and never asks nothing in return, she has been there with the birth of 2 of my children, the long stays in the hospital, the baby showers, the birthdays, the break ups, when my sister passed away she was there every step of the way doing more for me and my family then my own family does. I dont know how I could repay her either... except be there for her unconditionaly like she has been for me. I am glad that you posted this.. makes me stop and think how fortunate I am. oh and I cant forget the NKOTB concert that she took me to for my 30th bday!

I think the nicest thing that has been done for me was....
My dad had a liver transplant a few months back, my neighbor/friend not only keep my daughter (and dogs!) for about 9 hours (she has 2 boys also!), but took her to the grocery store and knowing I let her pick out treats, she let her do the same, and than when my husband got home and picked her up, she made him and her dinner and dessert... That meant so much to me, considering I was 2 hours away from home, not knowing when surgery would be over, and I didn't have to worry about my home...
That saying I would also have to so all the people who prayed for my dad during his worst!!

My best friend died for me on the cross.

A few weeks ago I went to a restaurant that had moved from one location to another. I went there for lunch (used to go all the time) and wanted to try the new location. When I got there I found out that they only took cash or a specific credit card (which I did not have). Instead of asking to borrow money from one of my coworkers who was there, I was simply going to sit with them while they ate. The owner of the restaurant remembered me from going there so often in the past (probably have been 1x in the past year but in previous years would go 1x a week) and she said that lunch was on her - and that I could bring the money at a later time. I thought that was so sweet!!! She made my day. And the next week I took the money back to her!

I am hoping the people who did this nice deed for me are reading this because I was never able to thank them. When I was 32 weeks pregnant I tried to drive to work on an icy day because I had no more sick or vacation time since I had to use it all for my coming maternity leave. Unfortunatley, my car slid down a hill and off the road into a telephone pole which totaled my car. I was able to get out on my own and the next thing I know a man and woman were walking toward me. They got our of their cars and came to help me. The man flagged down a firetruck that was headed to another accident down the road (it was a REALLY icy day) and called my husband for me while the woman held me tight as I sobbed. By the grace of God my baby and I ended up being perfectly fine but I will never, ever forget the kindness of those two caring strangers.

A Lot of people did really nice things for me when I was pregant. My Sister in Law stands out. She threw me the greatest babyshower ever. She also hand made a mum for the hospital door - in Dallas Cowboys colors with a football theme. She HATES the Cowboys. But I love them, so it meant even more.

So far as a random act of kindess to show appreciation, I make people cakes. I find out there favorite cake and make the best one I know how. I buy an appropriate plate or serving platter from a dollar store, so they'll have a reminder after the cake is eaten.

I don't think this will help, but I read through all the responses and just wanted to share. Mine is more of what my dad said to me on my wedding day as we danced. He told me he has and will always be proud of me. On my wedding day, I was 13 weeks pregnant. After all the things I had felt in the previous 13 weeks, ashamed and like a huge disappointment to my parent's, I knew my dad loved me unconditionally. And they still gave me the most beautiful day of my life, even though I felt undeserving. My parent's love is a gift from God.

I'll chime in with the rest of the gang, what a WONDERFUL question to allow us to reflect on some of our unexpected blessings, and be reminded of ways to bless others.

My goodness, as I start thinking, there are just countless things that I could tell about, but one little one that stands out happened one day when I was out just doing some casual shopping with my son. We were about to leave a store that has an Icee machine, and usually, I let him get a slushie when we are out shopping and they have them. Well, at this particular store, their refreshment counter wasn't taking debit cards, and I had no cash whatsoever on me. Well, I had told my son prior to leaving the store that he could get a slushie, but when I saw the sign saying they weren't accepting debit cards, I had to tell him he couldn't get one because I didn't have any cash. Well, he was heartbroken, and I was consoling him as we were walking out the door. There happened to be a store worker sitting outside the doors having a break, and she overheard our conversation, and she called my son over and gave him $2 to go get a slush. I insisted he didn't need it and although it was very kind, it wasn't necessary, but she insisted, and sent my son inside to get his slush.

My son was flabbergasted. And so was I. I took that opportunity to teach my son about being generous and charitable, and sharing what we have with others when we get a chance like that store lady did on that day. My son actually came home and told everyone he came in contact with for the next couple days about the nice lady at the store who didn't have to, but bought him a slushie when mommy didn't have any dollars. :)

It wasn't anything monumental, but it was meaningful to us, and it reminded us to share our good fortune when we can.

1) I was nearly 40 when I had my 1st son, knew all too well how fast time passes, and I wasn't ready to leave him with a sitter until he was FOUR! But really, everyone needs a break sometimes, and my friend Becky, whom I trust and adore, would call me up and say "Can I come over and watch M--- this Saturday?" This was way BETTER than if she told me she'd be willing to watch him for me.

2) When son #2 came home, the folks at my church threw us a baby-shower. This us a BIG deal when one adopts a child! So few people think to throw adoptive parents a shower, but even better, they realized the shower was one day before his 1st birthday and did the research & work to make the party for C-- into a D'Ol (Korean 1st birthday party). This was QUITE special.

3) We found out I was pregnant with son #3, K--, right after C-- came home to us - he was still grieving for his foster family. We were happy but overwhelmed. A mother at M--'s preschool organized the parents there to bring us dinners. THEN someone at church organized folks to bring us dinners too! This was AMAZING. Sons 2 and 3 got home-cooked meals for those 1st 3 weeks, when otherwise, we would have been doing well to give them Cheerios for dinner.

Awesome question. Thanks for starting my day with it! : )

We have been down to one car for awhile now, almost a year with no luck finding something reliable and cheap. Also just having a baby we have no extra money to save for a car. About 2 weeks ago my husbands father called and said he's shipping us a van...he got all the repairs done on it and fixed it up nice ! I was floored ..........

what a great thing to read about...made me want to respond just reading the others :)

It really is the little things that stand out the most.

I have a friend. Her sister has 3 boys. I will come home many times to find a box of hand me downs washed, folded and sorted for my son on the porch. This women does not even know me; however she provides. I love that!

Another time we decided to go out to eat with my family...unscheduled and unprepared. That is we had run out to go to the store and ended up at the restaurant with my 10 month old son and no diapers or wipes! He had a dirty diaper and I did not want him or us to have to sit and wait in this condition. The people at the next table heard our dilemma. They were sitting with their 4 kids. The father handed me a diaper and a thing of wipes!!! I was so surprised I cried!!! People, especially strangers, just are not like that anymore!!!

And then there is my mother and sister in law the night before I had my son. I had been on bed rest for a month and on a strict diet for 4 months. My mother showed up with a pizza and my sister in law showed up and cleaned my whole house!!! WOW!!!

These are the times I look back on and remember when I am feeling down!!!

I had to ask for it, instead of it just being a nice 'gesture.' But when I was towards the end of my pregnancy, my mom had her maid (who goes to HER house weekly) come to MY HOUSE that one day and do a good deep-cleaning. So with your prego friends - offer to hire a maid or be her maid for one or two whole days and help do a good clean!

And when my friend was pregnant with twins and on bed-rest, I'd come by her apt after school with a Sonic Cherry Lime-ade (her favorite) and we'd just chat and hang out and laugh. Her husband worked a lot and she was tired/lonely I think. Then, when babies were about to arrive, a group of us (her co-worker teacher friends) surprised her with a nursery decoration. One gal made curtains with a matching lamp-shade. One of us bought a pink rug. We cleaned the room and hung some cute frames. We hung a sign on the baby's door that said something like "Smith Twins' Nursery." Her husband took her to the movies and we came in and when she came home we were waiting for her in the babies' new room. Then when babies arrived, I still stopped by with Sonic drinks and I even spent the night with her and her husband one night (I was married at the time too, husband understood my love to love others). She and I took the 'early shift' while her husband slept. 3am we went to sleep while husband took the early morning shift (it's not easy with TWINS! They did not have any family in the state. All were hours-flight away) Then when the babies were older, a friend and I babysat for free while she and husband went on a date. I texted her during their date "All is okay here. We're doing fine. Enjoy your date" since I know she was probably worried about her girls. She loved it.

When we adopted our daughter our church family came over to our home and decorated. We arrived home at 2a.m. it was such a surprize to see balloons in the yard, pink paper on our front door, confetti all over the house etc. It was great!

I just have to say I love the responses! I have read all of them and are blown away by the compassion and love that people have shown. When life is rough--it takes only a minute to make me smile--my husband and of course my children! They are so precious!!!. My husband is the best! He knows exactly what I need, when I need it and loves me unconditionally. I couldn't ask for a better husband, best friend or daddy to our children. God sent me a great gift-- Him!

Hi, i was 62 when i lost my husband of59.i live outside the city.i went to a singles breakfast,met a woman that was going thru a divorce and we became friends.i had no one to help me practice my driving.she helped me drive and at 64 i got my licence.now at 66 i feel free ,have a boyfriend,and life is great.thanks nicole your the best.

What a fantastic question! Teared up at lots of the answers. I will have to think about the nicest thing ever, but lots of little things come to mind. When my husband and I got married, I had to give him my engagement ring so the wedding band could be soldered on and then he kept it for the ceremony, so I didn't have it for a few days. I told him it was strange how I'd gotten so used to wearing it and I missed it. The morning of our wedding while we girls were getting ready and having our pictures taken, he sent his best man to bring me a note and one of those candy ring pops to tell me how much he loved me and that the candy ring was temporary but the wedding ring would be forever. So sweet!

Another thing is that our neighbor at our little starter house was single and in her 50's but in great shape and very thoughtful. Whenever she made cookies or cake, she would bring us some. She left for work before us in the mornings and when it snowed, would shovel our walkway.

When I was 16, my dad had to have triple-bypass open heart surgery. It was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced. One of my friends came and stayed with me and my family for hours at the hospital.

Sometimes my husband will cut flowers from our yard and bring them in and put them in a vase for me because he knows I love flowers.

Getting a card or a phone call from a friend I haven't heard from in awhile is always a great little pick me up.

For May day, my best friend and I would leave flowers on our friends doorsteps with a little note telling them how much they mean to us. I think they enjoyed the surprise.

Sometimes on the weekend when I'm exhausted from being up several weeknights with the kiddos, my husband will take them on an outing in the morning so I can sleep in.

The best date I ever went on with my husband was a double date where we went ice skating and then we went back to his house and watched The Cutting Edge. It wasn't anything fancy, it was that he went to the trouble to come up with a themed evening. He had obviously put a lot of thought into it. That's what made is special.

Thanks for asking this and getting some great ideas posted for all of us!

WOW! I have to agree with 8kidsdad, this is an amazing question. I have been reading some of the answers you got and I am near to tears.
I have been very bless and many people have done nice things for me.
Now I look back, the nicest thing somebody have done for me it was my own family.
She is living in Mexico with the rest of my family, but every time I have my kids, she will leave anything and come here to help me. She even offered to come live with us so I could finish study.
I have to say that she is married, so I think I should thank her husband for being supportive too.
I have a rich aunt, and if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have never be able to travel as I did when I was a child.

I'm loving all these answers! Such a positive post!

A few summers ago, I spent a lot of time watching my nieces and nephew. Their parents were working a lot and I offered to take them swimming, to the zoo, just to my house, etc., so they wouldn't sit at home all summer alone. We had a lot of fun that summer, although sometimes it was a lot of work.

At the end of the summer, just before school started, they all came over and brought me a huge bouquet of flowers and a card with a nice note in it (they had money issues and I hadn't wanted anything from them for the summer moneywise).

It was such a surprise and the flowers were beautiful! Made me feel great, and appreciated!

I think the nicest things a person can do for another is being there when things are hard. An old friend of mine ( we have unfortunatly not been able to stay in contact much since I moved) probably has done the nicest thing for me a couple years ago. I have a mood disorder and an eating disorder and one year I was in and out of the hospital constantly for self injury. she was always the one there with me. I remember one night in particular she sat on the ER floor next to me (I lived in a big city and if you weren't dying you either had to sit in a chair or the floor once admitted to the ER.) she sat there for hours before she finally had to leave to go to her own treatment (she was really sick at the time) after her treatment she had to go straight to work so I know she got no sleep. Then she called me every break she had, and she let me take spot with me (a stuffed dog we found at work and shared...she said when she couldnt be there for me spot could...I know this sounds a little childish but if you have a mood disorder you would understand) when she visited me the next day she brought me my favorite brand of tomato juice, because she knew I wouldn't be eating but she also knew i would drink the juice, nobody else would have known that, I guess it just helps when you reliese how much someone knows the little things that can make you feel better.

I don't think it's about the size of the appreciation, I think it's the thoughtfulness.

Last year, when my DH was out of work, my part time boss "gave" me use of the party area of our pool for free, plus a discount on the food for my daughter's birthday party. She helped make my daughter's party a spectacular event, with almost nothing "lost" to her and very little out of pocket for us.

As a thank you, I had my birthday girl work on a special art project that took LOTS of time and hard work. We gave it to my boss with a heart-felt thank you. She was blown away - knowing how hard my daughter must have worked on it and promptly put it up in her office.

That taught me that "bosses" get more out of their employees when they take care of them. I have and will continue to "help" her by picking up extra shifts and doing what I can for her.

Oh, this is such a wonderful thought to discuss and know/realize many times little things are the world.

I am sure i have had many incidents thus far in my life on daily basis, but dont pay much attentions to them. This post and many responses just made me realize to just do that..

I remember one particular phase in my life when i was going thru a very difficult phase in my life. It was this person I met at work (who is now my dear friend) was there every step of the way. When I look back now and think about the past time, i can truly say that today I am very happy and greatful and living happy life, but I would not have been here, if it was not for a person who I met at work. She was there for each and every moment of those sad days, making sure that I am not alone. Making sure that I am at peace, making sure that I see some positivity in life, in people (I am very negative person by nature, and I can not help it). She not only helped me during those difficult moments but also to a degree changed my outlook on life: to see the glass as half full, and not as half empty.

Everyone deserves to have atleast one friend/sister/family like that.

Kristie, I am sure you are very good person and will touch peoples life around you, just shows from the question you have.