Simple Acts of Kindness

Driving on the highway the other day, traffic was thick and cars were flowing in on the entrance ramp one after another. What did I do? Speed up and get in front of the pack of cars trying to get onto the highway, or slow down and let them all in? I decided to slow down and let them in, and this gentleman in front of me must have waved a dozen times thanking me for letting him in without a fight. I had that good feeling for obviously making that man's life (at least for that brief second) a little easier.

I am in my car several hours a day, as I am a home health PTA, so I have seen many people who have needed help. In a split second, I have had to make a decision to help or continue on my way. The gratification of helping a stranger in their time of need is so powerful. Although your paths may never cross again in life, you have made a difference in their life and they will forever be grateful.

A few years ago, I was on my way to work. It was winter, and there was black ice that morning. I was at a stop light, and three cars back. When traffic started to move, I noticed an elderly man on his hands and knees in the bike lane. I stopped next to him, rolled down my window, at which time I saw blood dripping from his chin, and asked him if he was ok, and he replied "no." Did these other three vehicles in front of me not see this gentleman crawling on the ground? Incredible. I pulled over, got out of my car and went over to him. He told me he was out walking his dog, slipped on some ice and busted his chin. I called 9-1-1, had him apply pressure to his wound, and went up his driveway to his house to notify his son. When the ambulance arrived, I quietly got back into my car and drove to work.

You see, I didn't do anything major or amazing, I just got him help in the way of a phone call and a knock on a door.... simple! If I had not stopped, if more cars drove by and no one stopped, who knows what could have happened.

This past summer, there was another incident, this time it was an overturned vehicle on the highway. I was driving east bound on the highway and a Jeep Cherokee was coming towards me going west bound. It appeared the person driving lost control, hit the median and flipped the vechicle over on its top. I immediately called 9-1-1and, a gave dispatch the location. I sat there for a minute, took everything I had just witnessed in and took a deep breath. Then I thought, what if this person needs CPR? I know CPR, I need to help. I got out of my car, crossed 2 lanes of very busy traffic, jumped the median and ran to the car. The woman was pulling herself out of the window, and had only a small laceration on her forehead. A home health nurse was also there, handed me some gauze and we applied it to her head. In minutes, the EMTs arrived, and took over. I stood with this nurse and another witness, held hands, and prayed. Then, I went back to my car and continued on with my day.

Again, nothing extraordinary or outstanding, just a simple (but important) phone call, a little gauze and a prayer, then back to work.

Let's talk about something a little more "simple." For instance, holding a door, saying thank you, saying hi, asking how are you? Simple acts, simple questions, but what a difference it makes in someones day or maybe even someones life. Kindness goes a long way. It will always come back to you. Slow down, breathe in a little fresh air, open your eyes and look around a while. This Earth that we live on is extraordinary. Extend your hand every once in a while, and trust me, you will be amazed at what comes your way.