CONTENT WARNING: Animal Death (Natural Causes)

When I was nineteen I had just moved into my first apartment. I got a kitten from a friend’s cat that had kittens. I suffered from severe (suicidal) depression at the time, barely leaving the house or doing anything. Once I had a kitten to care for, I had a lot more motivation to care for myself. It was a huge step in getting myself into therapy and recovering. No matter how bad things got, I always had my baby kitty who always loved me. She lives with me for eighteen years in reasonably good health but eventually, her kidneys give out and it is her time.

Unfortunately, I have just lost my job and we are pretty broke. As we are long-time, reliable clients of the vet, they agree to let us pay in installments. I sell some crafts I make online so I make social media posts promoting my craft site to help cover the costs of my baby kitty’s euthanasia and cremation. About a week later of stressful, sad job-hunting and desperate crafting, I get a phone call from the vet:

Vet: “I have some news for you.”

Me: *confused* “Okay…”

Vet: “Someone called in and anonymously paid your bill.”

Me: “What…?”

Vet: “They made us swear to keep it anonymous, but your entire vet bill has been cleared up. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Me: *sobbing uncontrollably*

I don’t think I will ever be able to thank that anonymous donor enough. My kitty was a literal lifesaver. Losing her (even after having her for eighteen years) was crushing to me. I worried the stress was going to push me back into the depression again, but this act of kindness brought me back. Thank you.

(It’s 1995 and I’m 15 and going through a very bad time in my life. One day I go into my local cinema just to use the toilet, and as I’m in the foyer about to leave a woman comes up to me.)

Woman: “Excuse me, would you like this ticket to see this new film?”

Me: “I can’t afford to buy that from you, but the box office will give you a refund.”

Woman: “I know, but I’d like you to have it. We have one spare and it’s yours if you want it. You don’t have to give me any money; I just want you to enjoy this film.”

Me: *almost at the point of tears, at this generosity* “Well, thank you. Thank you so much!”

(The film was ‘Toy Story.’ Lady, it’s been twenty years, but you showed me how a simple act of kindness can make someone’s life so much better. Thank you.)

(I am at work when an elderly man comes in with his wife. He and his wife sit down at our beauty studio where the employees usually apply makeup to the customers. The woman sits in a chair while our makeup artist gives him brushes. Seeing this from a distance I get curious.)

Me: “Excuse me, sir, I apologise if I am intruding but I just wanted to ask why you’re learning how to apply makeup to your wife?”

Husband: “Not at all. My wife is going blind, you see. I want to learn to apply her makeup because I want her to feel beautiful.”

(Such a small but touching gesture. Five years later it’s still one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen at work.)

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(My mom is working at the local [Big Thrift Store]. It has begun to rain and she has just finished up her shift. She spots an umbrella for sale and takes it up to the register.)

Mom: “I didn’t know it was going to rain. Guess I’m going to need this umbrella.”

Supervisor: “You can’t buy that!”

Mom: “But it’s raining. Why not?”

Supervisor: “Because you work here; you shouldn’t be shopping!”

Mom: “But I just finished my shift and I would like to go home but it’s pouring outside. Can I please just buy the umbrella?”

Supervisor: “No!”

(A customer has noticed this exchange.)

Customer: “I’d like to buy that umbrella, please.”

Supervisor: “Sure! That’ll be [amount].”

(The customer takes the purchase and hands it to my mom, then turns to the supervisor.)

Customer: “You are f****** ridiculous…”

(Thank you, kind man who helped my mom. To the nasty Supervisor: up yours!)

(Working at a toy store, I see a lot of horrible parents refuse to buy toys for their children because they think the toy is for the “wrong” gender. One day, a grandma and a little boy come in. The little boy is about five, and has many mannerisms that people characterize as “feminine” or “gay.”)

Grandma: “Hello. Do you have any batons?”

Me: “Yes, we do. They’re right over here.”

Boy: “Oh, yay! They have batons!” *claps hands excitedly, jumps up and down*

Grandma: “We’ll take one, please.”

(They left, with the boy soooo happy about his baton. To the grandma it was no big deal, and she was just happy that they found what he wanted. Whenever I have a bad day, I always remember baton-grandma and feel better about the world.)