4 stories that will warm your heart

Circle of kindness

A sweet serenade

“I was devastated when my 8-week-old basset hound, Daisy, was diagnosed with the parvo virus. I couldn’t imagine losing her so soon…she’d filled all the lonely places in my heart after my husband had passed away.

“As I left Daisy at the vet for treatment, I tearfully told the technician that she probably wouldn’t do well on her own—she always needed me near and even slept at my feet when I taught guitar lessons. Thankfully, they had a 24-hour kennel camera so I could check on her.

“That night, worry knotted my stomach as I logged on to the live feed. I expected to see her crying and upset, but as the image filled my screen, I gazed in awe. The young man I’d spoken to earlier was sitting by her crate, strumming a guitar as Daisy peacefully slept.

“Days later, Daisy was doing much better, and when I picked her up, I spotted the man and hugged him with gratitude. ‘I was just doing my job,’ he said with a shrug.

‘‘‘You brought us both peace when we needed it most,’ I replied. And in that moment, I realized kindness has the power to heal.” —Margaret Taylor, 55, Orlando, FL

Inner strength

A beautiful new reflection

“I groaned as I stood in front of the dressing room mirror in a vibrant floral one-piece swimsuit. I loved the pattern, but just like all the others

I’d tried on, it highlighted the jagged scar that ran down my chest from the bypass surgery I’d had earlier in the year. I guess I’ll just have to spend our family beach vacation hiding under a T-shirt, I thought. Just then, I heard a knock. ‘Doing okay, ma’am?’ the attendant asked.

“Opening the door, I handed her the other suits. ‘I’m striking out,’ I replied with a sigh. Her eyes fell to my scar, and I cringed. Suddenly, she pointed to a long jagged line down the side of her face and neck.

“‘Three years ago, I was nearly killed in a car accident,’ she said. ‘At first, I hated my scar, but now I see it as a reminder that I’m alive, and that makes it…perfect.’

“With tears in my eyes, I looked in the mirror and tried to see past my scar. To my surprise, I saw a strong survivor in a lovely swimsuit. My confidence blooming, I said, ‘I’ll take this one…it’s perfect!’” —Roz King, 61, Dallas