When I was in college, my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. My grandma has always knitted as a hobby, and after Grandpa’s diagnosis, she started knitting constantly to help relieve stress. After a year of near-constant knitting, she had mountains of scarves, hats, socks, mittens, small blankets, and other items piled around the house.

My mom and her siblings convinced Grandma to start selling items to help raise funds for Grandpa’s treatments. It was decided that everyone would take a pile of stuff and sell to coworkers, friends, and neighbors, and then pass the money back to Grandma. I took a pile of stuff to college and posted pictures and prices on social media, along with the story about my grandpa.

A few of my close friends shared the post, and within a week, I had people from all over campus messaging me looking to buy gifts for themselves or their significant others. I sold out of everything within a month and still had people messaging to ask when I would get more stuff from my grandma.

Everyone was super friendly and sympathetic about my grandpa, so even though it was a stressful time trying to balance family needs, the messages from buyers, and my school work, it was a huge morale boost that helped me get through the year.

My grandpa survived his treatments and is still with us today. My grandma has continued to knit, though at a slower pace than she used to, and two or three times a year, we all still get a pile of stuff to sell wherever we are.

I work in EMS. I got off work after 2:00 am due to a late call, and I am headed back in to work for my 10:00 am shift after less than five hours of sleep.

I stop at the nearby superstore to get a few odds and ends and a farewell card for a coworker whose last day is coming up soon. While checking out at the self-checkout, I request $20 cash-back to use to purchase lunch later. 

Two and a half hours later, I am thinking of getting lunch and I reach for my wallet to make sure I have the $20 to use to pay… but it isn’t there. I left it in the self-checkout register. I realize my mistake, tell my coworkers, who good-naturedly laugh at me as I call myself an idiot, and promptly drive down the road to the store hoping there is any chance of getting my cash back. 

When I arrive at the store, receipt in hand, and tell the girl at the self-checkout my story, she apologizes and says she wasn’t there earlier but will ask someone who was. Her coworker immediately walks over to the main self-checkout register and reaches under it to pull out my exact $20 bill, with a duplicate receipt to prove it is mine. Once he sees that my receipt matches, he gives me the $20!

Then, I am on my way, feeling like the luckiest person in the world because no one else swiped my cash and the earlier self-checkout worker caught my blunder and saved it. 

I cannot thank these employees enough; they really restored my faith in humanity. I’ve already submitted an absolutely glowing review on their company survey site, but I felt they needed a little more recognition here.

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for February 2021!

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Read the Feel Good roundup for February 2021!

I work in a very popular chain coffee shop. Most days are pretty basic — a few entitled people here and there but nothing too crazy. On this particular morning, I open after getting about five hours of sleep and have to work with someone I’m not fond of. Halfway through the morning, a couple walks in and comes up to the register. I’m in the middle of taking their order when the man interrupts me.

Man: “You look familiar… Did you work here around this time last year?”

Me: *Slightly confused* “Yes.”

Man: “Oh, my God! Your name is [My Name], right?!”

I’m now even more confused, trying to remember this man’s face. 

Me: “Yeah.” *Chuckles awkwardly*

Man: “Yeah, I remember you! I came in and ordered fourteen drinks at once. You made them all so well and without complaining!”

Me: “Oh, wow! You remember that?”

Man: “Yeah! They were all, like, super-customized drinks! It was awesome. I kept trying to tip you but you said you weren’t allowed to take tips.”

Me: “Were the drinks good, at least?”

Man: *Laughing* “Yeah! You were so awesome that I remember you from a year ago!”

Me: “Oh, my God! That’s amazing. Thank you so much! That just made my day!”

I was smiling so hard and trying not to tear up because after a rough morning, hearing this guy talk so highly of me really touched me. I hope he knows how much I really appreciated the sentiment. Customers like him are rare, but they are the reason I tolerate customer service jobs.

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for February 2021!

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Read the Feel Good roundup for February 2021!

I am flying out to visit my parents several states away. My husband can’t come with me but sends a gift: a loaf of his homemade holiday bread. Since I don’t want to pack the bread in my luggage in case of loss — or crumbs — I tuck it into my carry-on bag. The security line is super-busy, and I get waved aside.

TSA Agent: “Ma’am, we’ll need to look through your bag.”

Me: “I understand.”

The agent opens the bag and lifts out the loaf, which is wrapped in foil and still faintly warm. He looks profoundly confused.

Me: “Oh, that’s holiday bread. My husband baked it.”

TSA Agent: *Taking a slow sniff* “It’s… bread.”

Me: “Yep. It’s got raisins and dried cherries in it.”

TSA Agent: *Smiling* “I’m terribly afraid I have to confiscate this.”

Me: “Confiscate some warm melted butter to put on top of it, too!”

He waved me through with a smile, and the bread got safely to my parents, who enjoyed it.

I work in a family-owned Greek restaurant. I’m not quite sixteen and this is my first job. After a few months of work, I can generally handle most tasks, such as filling drinks, making salads, and taking phone orders.

It’s been a stressful shift so far. My boss — an old Greek lady — is micromanaging everything she can. I already struggle with anxiety, especially when taking phone calls, but it got so bad that I was on the verge of tears at one point.

The phone rings while I’m trying to fill drinks, so I have to stop and rush over to fix it.

Me: “Hi, this is [Restaurant]. How can I help you?”

Caller: “Hi, I’d like to place a to-go order.”

Me: “Absolutely, what can I get you?”

Caller: “I’d like a Greek salad with extra sauce and pita bread. Do you guys still have anchovies?”

Me: “No, sir, I’m sorry. Anything else for you today?”

Caller: “Um, how about some spaghetti with meat sauce? Oh, and an extra toast. With lots of butter and seasoning on that.”

Me: “Absolutely, sir. Will that be all today?”

Caller: “Yes, it will. Y’know, I have no idea how people like you put up with us idiots and still manage to be so cheerful. It’s a blessing.”

I’m speechless.

Caller: “Thank you so much. It’s so nice to hear a happy voice.”

Me: “No, thank you, sir. Can I get your name and phone number, please?”

The caller gives me both.

Me: “This is [Restaurant], next to [Store], and your order will be ready in ten minutes. Thank you!”

I had a smile on my face for the rest of my shift.

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for February 2021!

Read the next Feel Good roundup for February 2021 story!

Read the Feel Good roundup for February 2021!