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Daily Question, October 22

What are the gifts that I have received from strangers recently?

  • Nelson

    It’s been overwhelming training for new job. Any coworker reaching out to offer help is much appreciated. They’re all new to me right now.

  • Ose
    They are so many, as so many things and support, which I may use daily to get my day going is supplied by kind people I most often do not know at all, like the ones who clean the roads for me from the leaves so that I may not slip and fall, the vast system which needs to be looked after until clean water arrives to wash my face by just opening the water tap, or the bread which I only have to go for and buy. As I will not be able to attend a market these days, a dear friend is willing to do some ...

    They are so many, as so many things and support, which I may use daily to get my day going is supplied by kind people I most often do not know at all, like the ones who clean the roads for me from the leaves so that I may not slip and fall, the vast system which needs to be looked after until clean water arrives to wash my face by just opening the water tap, or the bread which I only have to go for and buy. As I will not be able to attend a market these days, a dear friend is willing to do some shopping at the market for me, which I feel is such a gift, and when I arrived somewhere, unexpectedly one of the employers, whom I know only such a little but really appreciate from a few former encounters gave me a big hug. He made me feel so welcome and loved. These are just a few of a vast offer which strangers give as a gift. Being deeply grateful to all of them, I bow my head for their loving kindness. They all are a gift. Thank you dearly, life.

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  • Vids

    I received gifts for my kids from co wife

  • Mica

    Whatever I buy comes to me from strangers, one way and another, and my clean water and the roads and buildings and landscaping I see and enjoy and………………

  • Elaine

    We were at an intimate LIVE jazz concert last evening. It was a hugely generous gift of talent and love and we were transported!

  • Chester

    Yesterday in my local grocery store parking lot an amazing violinist played for the public. Going closer, an older woman, who turned out to be her mother, held a cardboard sign that read she had 4 children and needed help. Suffice to say, I donated, and deeply wished the family well. The music was amazing, potentially magnified by the breeze and warm air. Indeed a gift.

  • Chung van Gog

    Spicy peppers from someone’s garden! 🙂

  • TofuLove
    Kindness from all kinds of people. Last night I trudged out to the store to get some groceries, went by my local grocery store and this cashier was just really friendly, a nice person with everyone she interacted with including me and it made my night kinder, gentler, softer … and that person didn’t give me anything monetary, all she did was express caring. I felt so like not great and it wasn't specific to me, it was like this is just a caring person with everyone who goes through that line...

    Kindness from all kinds of people. Last night I trudged out to the store to get some groceries, went by my local grocery store and this cashier was just really friendly, a nice person with everyone she interacted with including me and it made my night kinder, gentler, softer … and that person didn’t give me anything monetary, all she did was express caring. I felt so like not great and it wasn’t specific to me, it was like this is just a caring person with everyone who goes through that line. And I can deeply admire that humility and the mentality of someone to be able to maintain a caring, positive outlook on life and towards others through a pandemic of so many difficult people that person probably interacts with daily. Materially, I likely have more than that person but in terms of the goodness and the warmth and humility, I’m much poorer than that person and I certainly think they have a lot more bravery. I don’t think that person is operating from a place of trying to be better than anyone else, they just are radiating the humility and goodness inside them that is seeing in others a fellow human being, I really was taken by the warmth, goodness, openness and humility of the person.

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  • Melissa

    Going to the park and having a strangers dog play so happily with my dog. We both smiled and said to each other at the same time. “This is great and will tire them out!”. We both left happy and the dogs too.

  • Hot Sauce

    Last weekend, as I struggled through a 5K race, there were plenty of people I didn’t know on the sidelines cheering me on.

    • Michele

      I love that! It really does make a difference having those ‘cheerleaders’ throughout the 5K:) I need to sign up for one for November.

  • Mary Pat

    OH! So many…..dog walking and dinners and snacks….while we are recovering from Covid, we have had a wonderful response from our church community….we are very grateful……and that doesn’t seem like a big enough word, but it is all I have at the moment….

  • Holly in Ohio

    I’ve received kind, listening ears from people here. ❤

  • Patricia
    This is a small thing, but what came first to my mind as I read the question: Two days ago, I saw a man petting his dog at a crosswalk as I was about to turn right. I slowed, not sure if he was going to stand and begin crossing with his dog. I turned slowly, glancing his way as I went past him. He looked up with a lovely smile on his face, our eyes meeting for just that quick moment. The "gift" I received was a glimpse into the joy he felt being with his dog, enjoying the day and that momen...

    This is a small thing, but what came first to my mind as I read the question: Two days ago, I saw a man petting his dog at a crosswalk as I was about to turn right. I slowed, not sure if he was going to stand and begin crossing with his dog. I turned slowly, glancing his way as I went past him. He looked up with a lovely smile on his face, our eyes meeting for just that quick moment. The “gift” I received was a glimpse into the joy he felt being with his dog, enjoying the day and that moment at a street corner in a little town in northern Wisconsin. I was grateful to remember how many small joys and satisfactions we have all around us, when we have eyes to see.

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    • Sandra

      Smiles are always such wonderful gifts. Smiles from strangers especially so 😊

    • Mica

      Smiles from strangers can be wonderfully rewarding, can’t they, Patricia – I still remember the Sikh on the beach, soon after 9/11 – we passed each other, walking in different directions along the beach in the early morning, and smiled happily at each other.

    • Holly in Ohio

      lovely.

  • Maurice Frank

    I am often aware that my daily life depends on the efforts of people I never see. When I buy food or anything at a store countless people behind the scenes did things that made it possible for that item to appear before me. I drive on roads and hike on trails someone else builds and maintains for me and others. And I can only hope that in return I sometimes contribute to others in ways I don’t see either.

  • Marnie Jackson

    The gift of lending a hand when I was feeling overwhelmed. The gift of taking the initiative and letting me know what I need to do to help.

  • EJP

    The simple kindness and compassion, support and wisdom received from strangers during this difficult time in our lives have proven to be gifts from heaven for my family.

  • devy

    The smiles and good mornings from people who work in stores or who pass me while I’m going for a walk. The gifts of lessons whenever I see individuals who have medical conditions or difficult situations and yet have positive attitudes and appreciate life. I realize that gratitude is the key. The gifts from those here in this forum. I don’t know individuals personally but their contributions open my eyes, let me see things from another angle..

  • sunnypatti
    I can't think of anything from a stranger, but we got a gift from our neighbor yesterday. He actually reached out to my husband a few days ago with the offer. We had this giant mound of dirt sitting in our front yard for the past 2 months after having it taken out from under our house (long story). There was one in the back that my husband worked on, shoveling and spreading for two days to get it taken care of. The front pile was immense, and we've been too busy to take care of it. Well Mike has...

    I can’t think of anything from a stranger, but we got a gift from our neighbor yesterday. He actually reached out to my husband a few days ago with the offer. We had this giant mound of dirt sitting in our front yard for the past 2 months after having it taken out from under our house (long story). There was one in the back that my husband worked on, shoveling and spreading for two days to get it taken care of. The front pile was immense, and we’ve been too busy to take care of it. Well Mike has a tractor and offered to come spread it out for us. We now have a nice, flat front yard and my husband planted grass on the dirt area yesterday afternoon which will be wonderful when it fills in! Mike didn’t have to do that for us. We are friendly with our neighbors, but since we’re pretty spread out, we don’t really talk all that much. We gave Mike some money for his work, but it was still a gift in my eyes! The dirt situation has been more than frustrating, and now it is shifting in a better direction!

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    • Michele

      I’m sure you could bring him a wonderful charcuterie board of your favorite cheeses:)

    • Mica

      Yes, sunnypatti – what a gift!

  • Sandra
    This is timely question. Were I asked to list the gifts I've received from friends and family recently I could write an essay. It draws my attention to the fact that I have been very focused on those gifts and perhaps haven't noticed and appreciated the gifts from strangers. Just thinking back over the past few days I immediately think of the two ladies at the petrol station, one on each day, whose smiles were so marvellous I felt I was wrapped in a hug. Those smiles were real gifts. I left...

    This is timely question. Were I asked to list the gifts I’ve received from friends and family recently I could write an essay. It draws my attention to the fact that I have been very focused on those gifts and perhaps haven’t noticed and appreciated the gifts from strangers. Just thinking back over the past few days I immediately think of the two ladies at the petrol station, one on each day, whose smiles were so marvellous I felt I was wrapped in a hug. Those smiles were real gifts. I left the service station with a smile on my face too. Today I shall pay particular attention to the gifts I know I will receive from strangers. There are always gifts to be relished if I remember to watch for them.

    I shall also add that the gifts from everyone here have been true blessings. In this community it seems, gifts and generosity are boundless ❤️️

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  • Michele

    The delicious cup of coffee and creamer I am starting my morning with is a wonderful gift from a stranger who made them:) Happy Friday everyone:)

    • Patricia

      It’s good to remember those unknown hands and hearts that help get our daily food and drink to us. Thank you!

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