What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

[Phoenix84]

What is the kindest/nicest thing anyone has ever done for you? If you can't think of a single thing, a "top 3" or "top 5" ect. will suffice.

[Deleted]

Man, I can't even think of anything. I need more coffee   or I'm an unappreciative bitch . . . 

My mom coming out to live with me for a couple months to help run my household when DD had a serious medical issue.

[zibazinski]

Friends coming downtown when DH was in the hospital and making me leave his room and eat lunch with them. To this day I'm not sure who came or what I ate but it was a very good thing. I was a total wreck running on fumes.

[busymom]

I'm feeling very blessed as I think of all of the good things people have done for me over the years.

My Mom for taking care of our oldest when I was in the hospital having our youngest (I always ended up in the hospital longer than average).  Both of my parents for gifting us with a large amount of cash when our oldest was born, so I could stay home for the first year with my baby, if we made the money stretch (which we did!).  Another relative gave us a gift of money, with the purpose of hiring a housekeeper for a full house cleaning after our oldest was born.  We've also had other situations where relatives stepped in to do babysitting when we had various emergencies.  A good friend realized I might not have ordered enough cake for DD's open house, & she not only ordered another cake for me, but refused to let me pay her back, telling me that was her gift for the party.  Life may have it's challenges, but, life is still good! 

[Deleted]

My first husband was mean and put me down a lot, even though the last 5 years of the marriage I was the only one with a job.

Years later, after I'd married DH, I was on the phone with my son who was at college having a pretty contentious discussion about his bad grades. DS hung up on me. DH called him back and said, "You do not EVER hang up on your mother". I was stunned.  I'd never had anyone advocate for me like that. DS and I finished our conversation. Eventually he got his act together. He never has hung up on me since, although I'm happy to say we really don't have contentious discussions anymore.  I think DH played a huge role in showing DS how to be a good husband.

[Bonny]

Lots of things:

25+ years ago we were considering relocating to the SF Bay Area from the Washington DC area. DH could go out on a business trip but the company he worked with was so cheap they wouldn't pay for my flight. A colleague of DH's who became a friend of mine gave me a non-stop RT ticket. I think it was one of those "use or lose it" frequent flyer deals but it was still a very kind thing to do.

I have kind friends who let me stay with them when I'm doing my landlord thing. I usually return the favor by taking them out to dinner.

MIL did a couple of nice things for us. She let us live in her condo for six months while we saved up a deposit for our first home. 20 years ago she gave up her nice apartment in San Francisco and moved into our little SF Bay Area house so we could buy our current house non-contingent. Unfortunately she never stops letting you know how nice she was and how we "owe" her.  Last year she wanted us to give her one of our rental houses (with over $400k of equity) because she helped us out.  We joke that MIL never actually gives gifts; they are just loans.

ETA: I'm not offended by this behavior BTW. One of the good things my folks (esp my father) did was to make sure that if you ever used or borrowed something from someone that you "pay" them back. For example if you borrowed the car you returned it with a full tank of gas.

[mmhmm]

Oh, gosh! So many things! Acts of kindness from patients, work-mates, family and friends over the years. Little, hand-made gifts given me by patients. Those really mean a lot. Really, there are just too many acts of spontaneous kindness for me to pick just one.

However, one I often remember is the goat given to an Indonesian family I was staying with by their next-door neighbor. I'd spent an hour, or so, talking to him in Indonesian and answering his questions about the US. He gave the goat for our dinner as a thank-you for my time. Heck, I'd enjoyed the conversation and learned much about his life in Indonesia while we were talking. What he didn't know was - the goat had poked his little head through the open window and tried to eat the mosquito netting over my bed early that morning. The goat and I had bonded at that time. When I found out, that night at dinner, the neighbor had given his only goat I had a little trouble getting the meal down. One just doesn't dine on one's friends! 

[swamp]

I was campaigning, working full time, had 2 little kids, and my mom was in the hospital. I had signed my son up for hockey, it started the day after Election Day. I hadn't had time to go buy the equipment. 

My my friend bought it for me. Without me asking. And another lawyer whose kids play hockey let me take one of his used ones because the one I had was too small. He even delivered it to my office. 

[mroped]

In the first 24 hours in this country I ended up in INS detention.
My English was limited to a few words and knew nobody. I ended up in Berks Co. Prison in Pa where I spent the next three months of my detention.
Out of the blue, I get called and am being told that someone is here to talk to me.
Got in there and there is this sweet lady and her husband, picking the phone-through the glass conversation- and asking me how am I doing. I was completely lost and confused. 
First I tought that they wanna sell me into some religios thing but all they wanted was to talk to me and if I'd agree, they'd sponsor me. And all that in a few minutes conversation!
When I was released after background checks and such were done, I lived with them for two weeks.
This couple changed my life, I can say that for certain! I love them and respect them as much as I do my parents and I'll do so till the day I die.

[Tired Tess]

My youngest brother is a wonderful man.  He is so good to me and my kids.  He never leaves my house without asking "before I go, is there anything I can do for you".  The man is a treasure and has helped me many, many times.  He has painted, put up the shed, fixed shutters, taken the kids camping, hiking, and motorcycle shows.  

I wouldn't be lost without him, But, boy oh boy, a ton of stuff wouldn't get done!

[zibazinski]

Jun 6, 2015 12:30:34 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Oh, gosh! So many things! Acts of kindness from patients, work-mates, family and friends over the years. Little, hand-made gifts given me by patients. Those really mean a lot. Really, there are just too many acts of spontaneous kindness for me to pick just one.

However, one I often remember is the goat given to an Indonesian family I was staying with by their next-door neighbor. I'd spent an hour, or so, talking to him in Indonesian and answering his questions about the US. He gave the goat for our dinner as a thank-you for my time. Heck, I'd enjoyed the conversation and learned much about his life in Indonesia while we were talking. What he didn't know was - the goat had poked his little head through the open window and tried to eat the mosquito netting over my bed early that morning. The goat and I had bonded at that time. When I found out, that night at dinner, the neighbor had given his only goat I had a little trouble getting the meal down. One just doesn't dine on one's friends! 

I think that goes along with the concept of one not eating family members. I remember when we got another cat, I had to point out that the ferrets were not large rats but welcome family members. Very confusing for her

[mmhmm]

Jun 6, 2015 13:31:24 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Jun 6, 2015 12:30:34 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Oh, gosh! So many things! Acts of kindness from patients, work-mates, family and friends over the years. Little, hand-made gifts given me by patients. Those really mean a lot. Really, there are just too many acts of spontaneous kindness for me to pick just one.

However, one I often remember is the goat given to an Indonesian family I was staying with by their next-door neighbor. I'd spent an hour, or so, talking to him in Indonesian and answering his questions about the US. He gave the goat for our dinner as a thank-you for my time. Heck, I'd enjoyed the conversation and learned much about his life in Indonesia while we were talking. What he didn't know was - the goat had poked his little head through the open window and tried to eat the mosquito netting over my bed early that morning. The goat and I had bonded at that time. When I found out, that night at dinner, the neighbor had given his only goat I had a little trouble getting the meal down. One just doesn't dine on one's friends! 

I think that goes along with the concept of one not eating family members. I remember when we got another cat, I had to point out that the ferrets were not large rats but welcome family members. Very confusing for her

<chuckle> I empathize. I've had to convince my mother's cat, Sylvia, of the same thing regarding The Chooch. Sylvia, too, was befuddled. Looked like lunch to her! 

[cronewitch]

My family does nice things for each other all the time. My little brother has been wonderful. He built a wheel chair ramp when ISO was injured, helped me move truck loads of stuff out when I divorced and kept my stuff at his house until I found an apartment then moved it all while I was at work, picking up my new furniture from all the stores. This year he painted my living and dining rooms with his son and his son hung new blinds. Today his son is taking me to dinner. He also kept our mom her last 6 years so didn't need to and almost every week invites me over to play cards and usually dinner.

We don't allow eating family members either we had a small bird and the cat wasn't allowed to even pet his tail. Now with 26 pet chickens we may need to break the no eating family members rule.

[zibazinski]

You and MPL?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

My best friend dumped everything and got on a plane and flew across the country (despite being deathly afraid of flying) when I was released from the hospital to help TD when I first got home.  My sister flew out the following week to give him more help.

My old boss drove me 400 miles RT for a follow up for one of my surgeries.  I could drive, but not that far.

My coworker took care of my car and apartment for 18 months while I was out here dealing with my medical issues.

[flamingo]

My DH has been very supportive of me and my career. He's semi-retired, and I'm mid-career. We've moved across the country twice for my job, and before it's all over, I foresee another move (back to warmer climates). He's done it all (mostly) without complaint. And when he does complain, he follows it up by saying how it's all worth it because I'm so happy with my job/career and that's what matters most to him. Sometimes, I'm not sure he means it , but it makes me feel good that he's so supportive and willing to just do what needs done. 

[cronewitch]

Jun 6, 2015 14:53:26 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

You and MPL?

Yes, ISO got 2.3 acres and it has a chicken house, he likes chickens so I ordered him 25 but they shipped 26, hatched 5/11 so pretty little. Last week I taught them to play with orange slices. They peck at them until they are just little rind strips then run around with them and others try to steal them seems like a good chicken game. They also like to eat termites so are having fun. Twenty 23 are female so we should get some eggs.

[zibazinski]

They like greens too. Like watermelon rinds.

[TheOtherMe]

Top one has to be all of my friends who took care of me and hauled me around after my surgery and 28 day stay in hospital.  So many different ones stepped up and made life tolerable while I recovered.

Mom flying out to help me on one of moves.  She really didn't like to fly, but knew I was in a very emotionally difficult spot after ugly break up.  That was reason for move out of town.  She came and did anything I asked of her.  I had gotten valium to give to my 3 cats for the hour drive to new location.  It sedated 2 of the cats, but freaked the other one out.  When we got to the house, the beds were already set up but needed bedding.  Cat would not stop howling unless I was holding her, so mom made two beds and we both collapsed.

[JustLurkin]

I have a very blessed life.

The most recent nice thing was my mom recently going to her favorite restaurant for the first time since starting chemo.  She was finally ready to go out and had been looking forward to it all week.  I went the day before to let the staff know she was sick, and looked different from the last time she had been there, and please don't do or say anything that would make her cry.  Our regular waitress cried a little and thanked me for stopping by. 

Before we went the next day, my mom was so nervous, like getting ready for a first date.  She said her feet hurt so she'd have to wear bedroom shoes, but I could go get our food to go if I would be embarrassed.  Then she spent a long time debating whether or not she needed a hat, she looked so relieved when I told her not to wear one.  When we arrived a table was ready and all of the staff were their "normal" selves and my mom enjoyed herself.  (Even though a table was ready, it took a few minutes to get seated, I figure the staff was getting a good look at my mom and getting themselves together.)  She was so proud of herself for making it through the meal without crying. 

[quince]

When my husband and I had been dating for 6 months, we were talking about moving in together. I let him know my finances, and he immediately offered me 5K to put toward my cc debt. I took the money, and tracked that debt, with 5% interest, until we got married, but he didn't intend it as a loan.  He intended it as a gift.
It also wasn't just because we were dating: he'd offered the same kind of help to mutual friends in the past, and at that time, he was living on his grad student stipend, so it's not a case of a surplus of income, either. He's just...really nice. Really nice in general is even better than really nice because it is the honeymoon stage of the relationship.

He is still awesome, so maybe the nicest thing he has done for me is marrying me. 

ETA: The nicest thing about his offer wasn't just the offer, it was that offering to help was accepting me where I had fucked up. 

[cronewitch]

Jun 7, 2015 23:35:27 GMT -5 JustLurkin said:

I have a very blessed life.

The most recent nice thing was my mom recently going to her favorite restaurant for the first time since starting chemo.  She was finally ready to go out and had been looking forward to it all week.  I went the day before to let the staff know she was sick, and looked different from the last time she had been there, and please don't do or say anything that would make her cry.  Our regular waitress cried a little and thanked me for stopping by. 

Before we went the next day, my mom was so nervous, like getting ready for a first date.  She said her feet hurt so she'd have to wear bedroom shoes, but I could go get our food to go if I would be embarrassed.  Then she spent a long time debating whether or not she needed a hat, she looked so relieved when I told her not to wear one.  When we arrived a table was ready and all of the staff were their "normal" selves and my mom enjoyed herself.  (Even though a table was ready, it took a few minutes to get seated, I figure the staff was getting a good look at my mom and getting themselves together.)  She was so proud of herself for making it through the meal without crying. 

My nephew's wife is obese and on oxygen as well as sever mental problems making her not want to be around anyone. She had my nephew invited me to join them for dinner last night, I was honored she would want me around. When we got to the restaurant two other parties arrived at the same time and were first, we were told it would be 5 minutes but they seated us before even 1 minute and before the people ahead of us. I think they might have done that because she has oxygen and no place to sit in the waiting area. We had a very pleasant dinner and a manager came by to check on everything and the entire staff was professional.

[toomuchreality]

Jun 6, 2015 9:28:17 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

What is the kindest/nicest thing anyone has ever done for you? If you can't think of a single thing, a "top 3" or "top 5" ect. will suffice.

How about you?




A few weeks ago, the lady in line ahead of me at the store, gave the cashier an extra $10 and told her to put it toward my bill. I had no idea, until after she was gone. And have no idea who she was.   -Nice!

My brother came back into my life, after no one in the family had see or talked to him in over 30 years. We spent probably 4-5 days a week, doing things together, for the year before his death. He died at my place. I was the only one he got back in touch with, really. It means a lot to me.

My family has done a lot of things that have helped me out, over the years. I will always be grateful.

Once I got so stressed out at Petsmart, when I got back to my car & tried to go home, I knew I shouldn't drive. By the time I pulled back in to another parking place, I couldn't figure out how to use my cell phone, to get help. A few hours later, I finally got in touch with the manager of the apts where I live, but I was having a hard time expressing myself. She figured out where I was, arranged for someone to come with her (to drive my car), and she came and got me and my ferret. She made sure I was home and safe, before she left.  
When my stress level came down, I was fine. But it was so scary, for 3-4 hours!