I ask you to remember Thor by sharing some good you’ve done this year. These random acts of kindness are the love that holds this world together. Thank you for commenting and helping us remember Thor!
I ask you to remember Thor by sharing some good you’ve done this year. These random acts of kindness are the love that holds this world together. Thank you for commenting and helping us remember Thor!
Bought a motorbike for a village pastor in northern India who had no personal transportation to use for either ministry or personal use.
Bought two goats for a peasant farmer that I met in North India.
Nancy and I went through our pantry and put together two large bags of food for the local food pantry.
While at an outdoor concert I noticed an elderly lady struggling with her lawn chair walking from the parking lot so I helped her with her chair and set it up for her.
I invoke Thor’s memory with all my Random Acts of Kindness. Recently they have centered around providing migrants with clothing, books, and school supplies. My alderman has been great at distributing these things. My next goal is to address homelessness.
In honor of Thor’s kindness, I sent a small package to a grieving family whose mother very recently died.
Yesterday I was a patient advocate for my friend D….. who is scheduled for open heart surgery.
I must’ve given it to him, he has a bad heart valve also… But is a candidate for open heart because his valve has two flappers, unlike mine, which had three flappers. So scientific I am.
OMG, open heart surgery!
Yes, that’s what I thought but because his valve is not round, it’s oval shaped… He gets open heart surgery to open the heart … the surgeon cuts out & around the existing valve and places in a new bovine valve thing…
He is a tad younger than I am, and in much better shape than I am physically, and meets the qualifications for the better valve job than the TAVAR Valve replacement, a tricky but quick up the vein procedure I had.
Friday morning I spent at the hospital with him learning about what that procedure involves… Way more than my overnight valve job.
After the operation,
6-7 days in hospital, then 6 weeks of restricted lifting activity. And for this 68 year old who lives alone in his home- his daughters live way out of state….No Driving+ someone in the home with him 24/7. … for a week or so?
I did say I would stay at his house for the week. His humble pie was accepting help from others and putting up with me for an entire week. It left him with uncertainty, but we’ve been friends for years.
He got a notebook 4 inches thick of information and instructions after the surgery. It was given to him with a bottle of surgery soap and we left the hospital, quite overwhelmed, but informed.
Even this patient advocate was a blur with the factual details of this operation. Not sure I have all the details right.
Friend told me yesterday about a Mom and kids starting over from awful relationship. Definitely sounds like a family where Thor (and Jen) would jump in. Collected household stuff she requested and gave her a gift card and some cash to help. Hope to do more…
A person I’ve done business with in the past recently had a baby. I learned he was facing financial difficulties so I donated pampers and wipes. Little gesture but he was extremely moved by the action.
I donated my daughter’s bedroom furniture to someone who works really hard to provide for his family. He’s always doing for others even though he struggles financially. The furniture was in excellent condition. He said his kids were very happy and grateful. It fells really good to give to others.
I helped my son move across the country to Seattle with UHaul and all.
Just bought the persons meal in the drive thru behind us. The worker promised she would hand the person a Pay It Forward button.
In the spirit of paying forward Thor’s kindness, I volunteered to help a law enforcement agency find an answer to a missing person case.
My friend had fallen on ‘skimpy’ times. She and her husband to be had plans to marry at City Hall. I encouraged her to go to Macy’s and try on fancy dresses-just for fun. She found one she loved. Looked like something Ginger Rodgers could wear. I collaborated with the Macy’s lady. She told my friend it had just been marked down to $99-the exact amount of her budget. We got the dress and I paid the difference.
I’m gonna write this on behalf of my family and myself. I bought pizza for my team because they have been working incredibly hard over the last few weeks and especially over the last week.
My aunt Kay and dog Maggie, visited with one of her elderly neighbours because she has no one else and is lonely.
My cousin also made a special point to chat with a neighbour and coworker.
The biggest act of kindness in my family today though was by my mom who got through the entire day without killing either me or her grandchildren and that is always worth celebrating. Thanks, Mom. We love you.
Was selling my daughter’s old bike on FB marketplace. Buyer didn’t have enough so just let him have the bike. He said it was for his daughter’s birthday – her first bike. <3
Spent my day Monday volunteering at my local food pantry, distributing food for over 100+ famliies in the 60618 and 60641 area codes.
I provided a breakfast and treats to the Oak Park police station today.
Migrants assist
I’m grateful to organize our block party–an event that kicked off when I moved in 2+ years ago–many neighbors of 20+ years had never met before!
Of course some of the most satisfying pay-it-forward moments are the ‘poop bag’ rescues for my fellow pup-friends:)
Thank you for reminding me to Pay it Forward, and to honor Thor’s life.
We have a friend in a messy relationship and we assembled a great group of people that have found their way forward and had a cook out where she could get support and good advice (and drinks).
Tom & I made & distributed 50 lunches for the homeless in Chicago. I took a plate of muffins & cookies to our police department.
I put together a bag of clothes for the lady who used to be the family Nany. She has overcame a lot in her life, raised her son on her own who is now a nurse. She deserves to be pampered.
I paid school tuition and for two children here back home.
I helped my uncle with a few of his errands by driving him around and getting him organized.
I’ve donated several home items to those around me in need.
Livi, Truong and I ( Tai was at work) went up to the cancer center with mom for her appointment. We dropped off snacks and drinks to the nursing staff and doctors that work with mom! They seemed excited to get the recognition!!
We were in Italy where caffè sospeso (Italian for suspended coffee or pending coffee) is a cup of coffee paid for in advance as an anonymous act. We bought a bunch at our morning spot in Thor’s honor. Sending you love Jen ❤️
Brought dinner to a friend’s sister who we have never met who is having chemo and radiation and considered it a gift from Thor and Jen.
I’m working on a care package for my friend who’s going through a rough time
I sent love to a stranger’s family who is undoubtedly missing their son Colin who died of brain cancer at 22. I’m sitting on the bench dedicated to his memory on this beautiful summer evening. I looked up his obit and posted a note on his memorial page. Even 16 years later, he’s not forgotten.
Today I went out of my way to greet people on the street, not just smile, which I tend to do anyway, but also say hello. I enjoyed amazing responses and I hope that the smiles spread.
I gave one of the assistants at the salon I go to $40 unsolicited so she could purchase something and not need to go a long way home to get cash.
I make sure to carry cash now(after years of seeing no need for it!)and give cash on hand whenever I can to the many people outside grocery stores and pharmacies who are trying to get started in our country.
I donated to Mrs Southworth’s ambitious reading program at Joy Elementary school in Michigan City Indiana. The majority of her early readers are from low income families.
I also donated cash to 2 Venezuelan families I encountered in the city on July 9th,
What’s interesting is that I was also the recipient of kindness that day. I had just sat down for lunch at a Whole Foods when I realized I had forgotten napkins. I moment later a young man from a nearby table delivered some. So sweet and appreciated.
My son helped my dad. He is 82 and needed some help this weekend
Lola and I met A homeless man two nights ago to whom we gave our dinner. We returned the next day to see if he was still there and in his place was another homeless gentleman. Lola asked him if he wanted some breakfast so we bought him a coffee and a croissant. When we got back to the car, Lola said to me “Mommy, it feels good to be kind.”
I was in the checkout line at Walmart. I let an older gentleman behind me check out first because he only had a few things. He was very appreciative and thanked me. We also talked a little, while waiting.
Gave a monetary gift to a person who needed some help to get through a situation.
All about paying it forward.
I have gone out of my way to keep an employee employed, because he is going through a lot with his ex and his kids and he is having a tough time keeping it together. I helped him use our employee assistance program for counseling and I keep him onboard even though it would be easier to let him go.
I have been keeping up this mental health forum just incase someone who needs it finds it at the right time: https://mhforum.net/
My tradition in remembering Thor is to donate to Billy Boys Blueberry Farm.I found out that they will not be open this year. As life changes, I decided to donate to State Line Blueberry Farm. They were thrilled to participate. They remembered the story about Thor, but said they were going to get more information because they wanted the recipients of the donation to hear his story. With sadness and a smile, I pictured a hawk flying above me. I’ll feel you around, my friend.
Just giving more to folks on the street and doing some 10 dollar gifts and not just change and singles.
I set up a sharing library in front of our family’s home.
While in my squad car the other day, I went in the drive thru at Starbucks. I looked in my rear view and saw a mother with her two kids waiting in the long line. Knowing every minute counts when riding with little ones, I paid for their order and had the window attendant add two cake pops for the little ones. Happen they enjoyed them.
I always try to pay it forward to the youth of our city. While purchasing a sandwich at a fast food restaurant I encourage young people by explaining how love always wins over hate!
God bless you Jennifer!
Thank you for keeping me informed!
Fred
I have a client who ran into financial difficulties. He contacted me to cancel his appointments and I told him I would continue working with him free of charge until he gets everything straightened out.
I donated to the Thor Soderberg Fund.
– donated /exchange of clothes among them for the kids. Such a nice system.
– got a few needed items for people back home
– Noëlla paid for my hotel room when we went to France
– Noëlla’s friends offered their time to take me places (shopping, gym, lunch/dinner) – lovely community that welcomed me
My act of kindness is still in process. I am supporting two colleagues who are job hunting after a lay off. Both are talented and would add value to any school organization. The first act was to reach out and ask how I might help
Before grocery shopping I asked the woman standing outside if she needed anything. She said a bottle of Coca Cola. I asked if she needed anything else and she said a loaf of white bread. My daughter and I bought both for her and she was very happy. It was such a small act on our part, but connected with the unseen and ignored who just need a loaf of bread and a drink is such a small act. I love that you do this in your sweet husband’s honor.
In honor of all of Thor’s acts of kindness, while at a store, I gave an elderly couple behind me my store credit /coupon so they could use it for their purchase.
In honoring Thor, my son Jack paid it forward by opening a door for a senior citizen to help him out.
I had given Cubs tickets to my son’s mother for the game on this coming Sunday. Sadly, her mom got extremely sick and she went to her home to stay with her in these last days. At the beginning of July she told me she would probably not use the tickets even though she loves to go, big Cubs fan.
I often go down to David’s in New Buffalo for a breakfast sandwich and I’ve gotten to know the young people who work there. There’s a number of Cubs fans among them and none of them had ever been to a Major League game so I thought it would be nice to let one of them have the tickets.
I didn’t want to press my son’s Mom on sending me the tickets under the circumstances. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pull it off. But last weekend she sent them to me and I told the folks down at David’s they could have them. They chose between themselves and a fellow named Neal got them.
I was in Paris right after I got your email. I walked by a woman who was searching through the trash. At first I passed her, but then I walked back and offered her some money. She refused – she said she was just sorting the trash. LOL! But I tried.