It was a year ago that my family was at the hospital on the ICU floor. We were there because my husband’s grandma, my boys great grammy had just passed away. We were on our way to say goodbye and got the phone call when we got to the parking lot at the hospital.
I had both my boys in a double stroller and I strolled up and down the waiting area with them since they were not going to go back to the room. While I was waiting there was a lady sitting waiting until the “normal” hours for visitors in critical care could go back to see their loved ones. I was actually bold for once and asked her who she was visiting. We shared our stories of why we were there and what had happened to them. She was there with her husband who had had injured his neck while in the pool on vacation here in Daytona. He was recovering from surgery he had to have. They had their grandchildren with them and sent them on home and she was here alone, with no one around she knew to help her. She caught a shuttle to the hospital from the hotel and then back to the hotel. I managed to get her name and number and where she was staying. I offered her my name and number as well if she needed someone to help her while she was in town.
After our conversation she went in to see her husband and I never saw her again. We said goodbye to grandma and we were not back to the hospital after that. It was a sad night for us but I just couldn’t get the lady out of my mind, I wanted to do something for her.
I decided to put together a small goody bag for her with a few small snacks, drink and a small devotional I had at home already and a I think (if I remember right) another book I had read already that would hopefully bless her. I added my business card with information and a note of encouragement to her and also included a gift card to a restaurant that was right by the hotel. I dropped it off at the hotel desk and gave them her name and they knew exactly who I was talking about and told me it would be delivered to her.
I was excited to get an email from her a little while after they had made it home to Indiana saying that they were doing well and thanked me for the goody bag and encouragement towards them. Her husband is a preacher and when he told the folks his story they told them about my reaching out to them while he was in the hospital. I sent an email back with our picture and welcomed future emails if they came.
A year has passed exactly (April 1, 2011) from the day I met her and today April 1, 2012 I received another email from her. She gave a testimony about their experience the other day and she mentioned me again and was thankful for someone reaching out to her. I couldn’t believe that I heard from her exactly a year later and the exact day I was starting my random acts of kindness month!! God’s Timing is perfect isn’t it?!
She blessed me so much by sending a short email to me saying she was thinking of me. You never know how one little act of kindness can impact someone else and for so long afterwards. I am thankful God put her in my path that night at the hospital. I think we needed each other then and a year later.
Do you want to participate with me in random acts of kindness this month? I started today and you can check out what I have already done HERE! Check back my goal is 38 random acts since I am turning 38 this month 
How have you showed kindness to someone lately? Have you ever heard back from them?
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Hi Ally,
I was reading your April 1 testimony. My name is Jenn Rice; my husband is the pastor of these folks you’re talking about, and Cheryl is one of my closest friends. A year ago we all heard about Tom’s accident, and many prayers were sent his way. We weren’t sure if he would walk again with that spinal injury. Some of us wanted to drive down to Florida to be with Cheryl, but at the time she felt it would be simpler if she could just focus on her husband. It was a tense few days waiting up here in Indiana, so far away, but Cheryl would text us daily updates. She told us about meeting you in the waiting room, and how you even went the extra mile to leave some goodies for her at the hotel. It was as if you hugged her for us!
I just wanted to thank you personally for taking care of my friend when she was alone. Your kindness deeply impressed her. We picked them up at the airport and got to hear the whole story, and she testified about it at church when they were able to come back.
Just yesterday they both testified again at church about God’s provision a year ago. So many good stories, and we had some new folks who had not heard it last year. Tom’s doctors have said that most people with the same injury he sustained are quadriplegic, but he is walking just as before and has no lasting problems from the accident. We are so thankful to the Lord to have him back; Tom’s chair on the pulpit didn’t stay empty for long!
Hi Jenn, Thanks for the wonderful comments! I sent you an email the other day and thought maybe I should tell you in case it ended up in your junk email! Have a blessed day
[...] an email about a month ago now from my new friend I met while talking at the hospital one night. (see story here) We have been able to stay in touch and she told me about this new young author Brooke Barenfanger. [...]