Circle of kindness

Readers share little reminders of how much goodness there is in the world

“A GENTLEMAN CAME TO MY RESCUE!” While driving to the grocery store one night, my right-rear tire went flat.

Since I was near the store, I decided to keep going. I pulled into the parking lot in a panic. I had no idea what to do. I was especially worried because it would be getting dark soon. Then a kind gentleman putting his groceries away walked over and offered to change my tire for me. Within 15 minutes, he had replaced the flat with the spare from the trunk. I was ever so grateful for this man’s rescue. I will be forever indebted to him for his kindness! — Kathleen Vanderpool Manning,

Memphis, TN

“A COMPLETE STRANGER’S THOUGHTFULNESS BROUGHT TEARS TO OUR EYES!” My life partner, Jim, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that required amputation of his left big toe.

After leaving the hospital, we went to CVS to purchase a cane. We looked at the canes, decided that they were all too expensive and left. But then, realizing that he really needed one, we went back into the store. As we walked in, a stranger approached me with a cane in her hand. She told me she had purchased the cane for Jim. Her thoughtfulness brought tears to our eyes. — Lyn A. Schwarzer,

Nashua, NH

“I OFTEN THINK OF HIS SWEET GESTURE!” Some things you just never forget, and I’ll always remember this.

Many years ago, my husband and I were traveling from Massachusetts to Indiana. We stopped for dinner with our young son in Pennsylvania. There was a man who was a traveling salesman sitting near us, and we started a conversation. We had our meal, and he went on his way. As we went to pay, our waitress told us that the man we’d been chatting with had paid for our meal and asked her to thank us for the conversation. Even after all these years, I often think of that man and his kind gesture.

— Carolyn Shaff, Lafayette, IN