An Act of Kindness

I received this email from a friend this morning. It touched me beyond words. I had to share it.

I visit a mentally challenged man every morning when I get coffee. His name is Louie. Yesterday Louie was beside himself.

He can’t speak, he just mumbles. He was shaking his fists and making throat slashing signs. I couldn’t figure out why.

Then I found out that the state workers across the street had stolen his hat while they were teasing him.

Today I brought him a new hat. He started cheering and shaking my hand. I have never seen anyone as happy as Louie just now.

It made me feel good. How can a mentally handicapped man renew my faith in life?

Such a simple gesture meant so much.

I think in the grand scheme of things Louie may have helped me more than I could ever help him.

Life is funny. One seemingly small, random act of kindness can change your perspective on everything.

“Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.”

Kevin Heath

Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity)
– Van Gogh

3 thoughts on “An Act of Kindness”

Your friend rocks! (As do you.)
It really doesn’t take much to cheer someone up.

Hope karma comes around to visit the workers…

I have worked with developmentally disabled people for a number of years. In the beginning, I will admit that the sight of a few very affected individuals would make me pause, not allowing myself to really find out who they were. It didnt take long for me to learn that they are just like us, only I think they are better.

I have never met any other group of people that were so innocent, trusting, and “good”. In the beginning, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Over the years, I know that I have learned much more from them than vice-versa.

And now I can’t imagine doing anything else. Your friend is a sweet soul to lend a hand to someone like Louie. Far too many people are more like the construction workers.

Lunargirl