The Kindness Pandemic
Words by Kate Love
Image by Kylie Paskett, Jamestown, South Australia
Kindness is Contagious too
What do we do when the world feels like it is falling apart around us? Be kind. Small acts of kindness can lift spirits and spread hope.
Everything feels uncertain right now. But what is certain is that we can care for each other.
A virus is spreading rapidly across the globe but so are acts of generosity. Groceries left on people’s doorsteps. Calls from loved ones. Smiles from strangers. We can all do our bit to bring joy into the world especially for those who are struggling.
The Kindness Pandemic has become a place to share inspiring moments of support and connection. Here are some of those heartwarming stories.
Sharing is Caring
We are all in this together.
I work in a bookshop. Today a customer called to set up a $1000 account (to be continuously topped up) so that all the children in her street can buy books. - Tammy
I put notes in my elderly neighbours letterboxes urging them to let me know if they need anything. I heard a quiet knock on the door yesterday and it was one of them asking for toilet paper. I gave him some rolls and 5 minutes later he returned with a pot of honey from his own bees. - Jackie
I was in my local supermarket in Castlemaine with my son who is 6 years old. He was looking at the Easter eggs, I said to him we might have to go without this year. We continued on getting bits and pieces of groceries, then headed to the checkout. We were about to leave the supermarket, when a lady came up to James and gave him an Easter egg. Saying "happy Easter", James and I both said thank you. So this is our kindness story. - Belinda
Today when I visited Woolies, the checkout lady asked me why was I buying so many combs. I explained that I make up toiletry kits for the homeless, so she asked me to wait a moment and went off to talk to her supervisor. When she returned she told me, my combs would be free as I was helping others, how lovely is this? - Lyn
Quite a few years ago I had a really heated row with my elderly neighbour over my (late) dog and we stopped speaking. It was all very silly and we were both upset. As a result she found things to complain about from trees to ivy and fences. Last week with the grocery shortage in Australia I became worried and offered her some essentials if she couldn't get any.
The next day she brought me over six home grown tomatoes. And yesterday my husband offered to mow her lawn so she no longer needed to pay for anyone to do that. I got talking to her and it turns out she's lovely and we both like crafting and have lots in common. We apologised to each other, I finally got to know her by name and we exchanged numbers (other than through council mediation!)
She was looking forward to travelling to remote N.T for Christmas with some German family but all her plans are now on hold so she's feeling a bit lonely. It turns out I really like her. And we finally got to the bottom of why our cat is never hungry since apparently she pops in there for a feed. Haha. And also my son is finally free to get his footballs back when they go over the fence.
Everyone's a winner. - Naomi
The Power of Connection
Never underestimate the power of connection.
I’ve been in self isolation for 7 days and this morning my dear friend Michelle surprised me with a cup of tea, a paleo cookie and a gorgeous orchid. She sat outside my front door 2 metres away and chatted and had morning tea with me. I appreciated it so much and look forward to when I can pay it forward. - Becky
This is pure kindness. My husband is in self isolation (away from me too) so our beautiful BFF’s went down to our beach house, which is where he is, and sat out the front talking to him with a glass of wine. Then they face timed me too so I could join in with my glass of wine. Amanda also did a bakery run, which he was so grateful for and also dropped off more fresh produce for my husband. Times like this make us all appreciate how nice it is to have beautiful friends around us. - Kristy
It was my 50th birthday Saturday and as we have been in quarantine there were no presents except the best gifts ever. Breakfast in bed, flowers from the garden and a screen show of photos of myself and my loved ones. It made me cry. So beautiful and the most special gift from my husband and boys. - Dawnie
My kindness moment came from my son about half an hour ago.
I’m 8 months pregnant and will deliver any day now. I’m and only child, in Melbourne with my husband and bub, and my mum is in the Gold Coast and my dad and stepmum are in southern WA. Stepmum has cancer and therefore zero immune system so is understandably unable to come over... Mum had already decided she was going to come down to look after our 2yr old son and our pup while I’m in hospital.
Because of the new “non essential travel” ban, Mum’s definitely not coming now in fear of catching something on the plane and giving it to my 87yr old grandparents- whom she lives with. Just makes me feel even more alone.
Just burst into tears in my bedroom and my 2yr old came in and saw me crying and ran down to the other end of the house to get daddy/my husband. He doesn’t speak yet so grabbed daddy by the hand and brought him back to me for comfort and family cuddles. Sweet little munchkin. - Kym
A Simple Thank You
A simple thank you can change somebody’s day.
I work at Coles, and I was serving a customer who bought two large boxes of Favourites chocolates. As I went to hand them to him, he shook his head and said "No, those are for you guys, as thanks for all the hard work you've been putting in." I'll be honest, I got a little teary. It's wonderful to know there's kind people in the world, especially during such hard times. - Taylor
I am a teacher in Queensland and today we got to work and found a bunch of our school parents had pitched in money to provide a coffee van for us this morning, along with Easter Eggs and Chocolates. They wrote us an appreciation letter thanking us for being there for their kids in these tough times. It was nice to start my day with a chocolate frappee. While these times are hard for all right now, it's so wonderful to see people connecting and finding gratitude for those around them. It really touched my heart. - Sarah
I’ve been housebound with pregnancy complications for 5 months. When my husband is away for work the postie and delivery drivers have been my main contact with the outside world. We have a routine where they knock then wait to allow me to get to the door. I sign, they pat the dogs, ask how I’m going and wish me a good day. Some days I can’t get to the door so they come to the main window (we have an open plan house) and look in... when they see me they give a thumbs up to see if I’m ok, when I return it they smile, wave, tap the glass and waggle fingers at the dogs, then head off.
Since C19 they changed this to knocking but then coming to the window and putting a note against the glass saying they’d left X parcels by the door, thumbs up and wait to see if I’m ok, then wave and go. Yesterday my fave postie (he loves the dogs) knocked on the door then put a new note against the glass “Got a heavy one. Unlock the door and go back to the kitchen so I can bring it in”. He came in and asked where to put it. He carried it to the room, then when he came back he went to the front door, took off his gloves and gave the boys (dogs) big pats. Afterwards he took out wet wipes and wiped his hands then used hand sanitizer. He asked how I was, how symptoms were, how far along... when I answered he got out a little notebook and jotted things down. I asked what he was doing and he told me “Just keeping track of my special ones. I have 8 of you - a few oldies, a couple of disabled and sick people and you. I keep notes so I know how you’re going to see how I can help out. I’ve just noted that you’re due soon so that if you’re not around in a couple of months time you’re ok and probably off having your baby.” He then asked if there was an outside tap so he could wash his hands and “Hope you have a great day love, you take care now, see you soon.” With that he was gone.
So here’s a huge thank you to the posties and delivery drivers who don’t have to go the extra mile, but often do - from one very grateful and thankful Mum to be. - Rachel
In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind
And lastly I just have to share the story behind this beautiful picture…
When Felix was born, 9 years ago with Down syndrome, I knew he would spread joy, and he has. I'm always getting comments about his smile and his sense of humour!
We have had to self isolate (1 week today) due to him having respiratory issues, but were looking for ways for Felix to still spread some positivity without leaving our home. He loves rainbows and is all about being kind and showing people happiness, so we thought a sign on the fence was a nice idea to bring some cheer to people passing by. We have also painted some rocks and dropped them around town to hopefully make people smile.
Other ways our little community is spreading kindness is by paying it forward when ordering take away coffees. One local store has had so many people pay extra that he has got names of those isolated and delivered coffee and scones to their door.
We have also joined in the "Going on a bear hunt" trend with lots of homes and businesses placing teddy bears in their windows for local children to search for as they drive past. The gardeners amongst us have placed a garden fork with a red ribbon in their front yard.
Felix has always shown me that kindness is contagious. We're all in this together and the only thing that will get us through is by encouraging each other and spreading some joy. - Kylie
Join The Kindness Pandemic and share your stories of small acts of kindness making a big difference.