Today is World Kindness Day and we are joined by authors Ann McIntosh, Lucy Morris and Sophia James who share their stories of receiving small acts of kindness from loved ones and strangers alike, and what its means to them.

An act of kindness, no matter how big or small, is never wasted.

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Ann McIntosh

The year after moving from Jamaica to Canada, I experienced my very first ice storm. Knowing I already had balance issues, my brain insisted traversing the ice was the worst danger it had ever encountered. Determined to conquer this new fear, I started crossing the parking lot outside of the college I was attending. About twenty feet from the entrance, I froze, unable to move another inch. On the verge of tears, I heard someone call out to me.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I shook my head.

The woman came over to me and took my arm to walk with me to the door.

That was how I met Kady, who to this day is one of my dearest friends, and one of the kindest, most empathetic people I know. That small act of kindness has stuck with me to this day, although it’s been about fifteen years since this incident occurred, and the memory still makes me tear up.

Not out of shame, now, but because the power of that small gesture hasn’t faded. Here’s to Kady, and all the kind people of this world!

 

Lucy Morris

I’ve been the recipient of a lot of kindness in the last couple of years. When I lost my mum suddenly in 2020, my mother’s friends were so supportive to me, especially her best friend Nina. She helped me plan the funeral, and also gave me a place to stay after the long drives back and forth. My friends were amazing too. Sending me both flowers and freezer meals to keep me going through the lockdown and grief. I couldn’t have done it without them, especially Kelly who came and sat with me during the hardest days.

But kindness doesn’t have to be these grand gestures of friendship. I’ve been humbled by small things too. A successful author helping a newbie like me, by inviting me to join their writing group (looking at you Sue). Or, the many writers who support the community as volunteers (like the Romantic Novelists Association). Or, even, the lady who gave me a pound to pay for the parking meter when I had no spare change… All these people make our lives a little easier each day, and I hope I do the same in return.

 

Sophia James

When I was a poor student at uni I hit a new model BMW in my old model Morris Minor.

A well dressed guy in a business suit got out, looked at the easily seen damage and my tears and said ‘Let’s just forget this happened.’ Then he got in to his car and drove off.

I watched him as he left, in my old hippie clothes and no way at all to pay a huge bill, and I felt so thankful for his kindness.

Years later I paid it back when a young student had her car towed and was crying because she couldn’t afford to get it returned. I got out the money from a nearby AGM machine, thinking of the well dressed guy in his business suit as I did so.

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We’d love to hear your acts of kindness stories, please tweet us @MillsandBoon

By Lauren Gardiner