When being nice comes back to you

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi Everybody and Merry Christmas along with Happy Holidays for all,

Went to the mailbox yesterday and on top of my mail was a plain envelope with only my nick-name and last name wrote on it. Hmmmmmmm.

So, I of course opened that baby up right away. I was stunned and curious. This is for me? Oh Oh what have I done now was my first thought, then I thought why would someone do this?

Well inside was a $20 bill. I live in the country and hear every car drive in or pass by, but I heard nothing yesterday. Just when the mail lady brought the mail to the box.

At first I felt guilty, surely there are more deserving persons who need this money.

Then I racked my brain trying to remember if I held a door open in town or something of that nature. Couldn't think of anything out of my normal scheme of life.

So I decided to use the money to help fill my truck up with gas. I have appointments the next three days and 1/4 tank of gas. I agreed with myself lol

that that is what this money is for.

Isn't it hard to take a nice gesture from some other nice person and feel you deserve it? I've been pretty darn nice all my life, exxcept to liers and thiefs.

Any one else have an experience like this? I'd really appreciate some feed back.

Thanks!:monkeydance:

I was raised in a small, more cattle than people, town by a mother and grandmother who lived this and taught me this from an early age. (Pay it forward). There was a railroad on the back part of our property and grandma used to make lunch for the "hobos" (that is what they called themselves) who used to come through never expecting anything in return. They would always do some little chore around our farm, there were plenty to do, before leaving and always saying thank you to gram in return. I am GLAD that people practice this, I try to live up to what gram would have done.

People in my class always ask why I help them, give them notes, and so on and what I want in return. I always tell them, "Gram would have wanted it and all I want in return is for them to help someone some day." Of course, now living in busy Florida, people look at you weird when you say stuff like that.

Call it karma, paying it forward, receiving back 3 times what you put out, keeping things in balance, just plain doing a good deed, if more people just took the time to make someones day a little better, maybe we wouldn't see the things we see everyday in the hospitals we are all in.

Bless all of you who give without thinking of the return, bless all of you who will read these stories and maybe take a smile away for your day.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences (sniff, sniff). When my daughter was little and asking if Santa was real I used to tell her that Santa was the spirit of the holiday- the giving spirit. Good to know it shines through unexpectedly in so many places.

Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

I was looking through my "special" Christmas cards over the weekend & came across one I rec'd 11 years ago. It was from a patient who I'd cared for at the end of her hospitalization - her physical healing was going well but her surgically-induced menopause was making it rough for her. I was pregnant & while I cared for her we chatted. I usually interject humor when I'm experiencing personal discomfort. While pregnant, I would become weepy from time to time & joked about my "whores moaning" when talking about my hormones. The patient enjoyed the humor.

Her card thanked me for caring for her and had many nice things to say about me. It's meant a lot to me over the years.

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Great thread!

To the OP: enjoy and use the $20. You do deserve it!!

Not long ago I was talking to a drug rep and telling her I remembered her from a few years before when I was in a different clinic. I remembered I'd met her but no details. She said: "Oh, I knew exactly who you were, I remembered you really well!" When I was surprised, she said "When I first started out as a rep, with so-and-so company, you were actually the very first person I ever talked to. I remember how nice you were to me and how much that helped me when I was really nervous, first getting started. I've never forgotten you!"

I was floored; I had no idea and had completely forgotten it! Like some of the others posting here, it didn't seem that much to me, but it made an impact on her; fortunately, a positive one!

Things like that are things you can "pull out" at times when you're feeling discouraged or like you're no good to anybody. They are also things that sometimes remind me to be a little more careful about what I do and say!

Specializes in Endoscopy.

I received a card just yesterday from a 88 year old pt I took care of over the weekend. He had hand-written a note inside that said how thankful he was for the attention I gave him, and even told me that I was his angel. This is the first time since becoming a nurse (1 year ago) that I have received something like this, and it truly made my day. Actually, it made my Christmas, knowing that I touched someone in such a special way is the best gift ever.

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I had something happen to me recently, in fact the last time I worked.

Well, I had a patient around the time when I was off orientation and he so happened to be husband to a nursing instructor at the University. Talk about a nervous newbie! This patient of mine had suffered a stroke and was on Lasix BID...

Unfortunately we give our lasix at around 2100. He did not have a foley and his DW had to spend half the night helping him with the urinal. She got angry at me and told me I should have considered this before giving the Lasix...and to reschedule the med at 1800...I apologized and everything and she did apologize to me for becoming so angry.

So the day before yesterday I was beginning my shift and a new person was starting. I tend to be kind to new people 'cause I know it's a difficult transition. Cracking jokes, usually self deprecating. Anyway, later in the shift he comes to me and says: "You were my nurse. I am so glad to tell you this, but I had suffered a stroke. I was really messed up, overweight and all; I lost 150 lbs. And thanks to you and everybody I am here. The docs said I was a helpless case. But now, look at me, I'm in nursing school! And now I can help those who have had strokes!" Our tele floor will now be transitioning to rehabbing victims of stroke and he is on the committee. Is this not what being a nurse is all about!? I was in awe to say the least!

Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
It's called "paying it forward". You in turn do something for someone else anonymously.

I remember giving the coat off my back literally, but geez that was 1980.......

Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
this brought a tear to my eye. how generous you are and what a beautiful story....

i willbe an rn,etc is another added bonus to me. my new mantra? you rock.

sharona:balloons:

Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
Great thread!

To the OP: enjoy and use the $20. You do deserve it!!

Not long ago I was talking to a drug rep and telling her I remembered her from a few years before when I was in a different clinic. I remembered I'd met her but no details. She said: "Oh, I knew exactly who you were, I remembered you really well!" When I was surprised, she said "When I first started out as a rep, with so-and-so company, you were actually the very first person I ever talked to. I remember how nice you were to me and how much that helped me when I was really nervous, first getting started. I've never forgotten you!"

I was floored; I had no idea and had completely forgotten it! Like some of the others posting here, it didn't seem that much to me, but it made an impact on her; fortunately, a positive one!

Things like that are things you can "pull out" at times when you're feeling discouraged or like you're no good to anybody. They are also things that sometimes remind me to be a little more careful about what I do and say!

How true santhony! Saint for the hopeless! I try everyday to watch what I say or do and it's frustrating at times, but I like to be the better person and not go "down" to a different lower level. Hope that doesn't sound conceited, it's not meant to be that way.

To all of you: Your stories are making me cry, making me feel like a little kid reading a great story and just letting the graciousness of all of you flow on, thanks! I'm glad you all are able to share this, it's precious to me.

Sharona

Specializes in Med-Surg.

All of these stories are just so amazing and wonderful and I'm so happy there are so many people like this out there, the world needs you. My parents raised me very well and because of them I love to help others and do something to make someone else happy. Now this next story has nothing to do with nursing, but does follow with the thread, and I still remember it in detail to this day (I must have been about 6 or 7 when it happened, i'm now 24):

My dad used to commute from NJ to Manhattan everyday for work and would always go through Port Authority (this HUGE bus/train terminal in the city). He would always see the same elderly homeless couple everyday in their same spot. Well one day he decided to take my brother, sister and I into the city with him. We packed up some of my parent's old winter coats and made a few brown bag lunches and were on our way! Sure enough, when we got to Port Authority the couple was there in their usual spot. We gave them the coats and the lunches and you should have seen the smiles on their faces. They were not the kind of homeless people that sat their with signs or cups begging for change, they just stayed there and enjoyed each others company. I'm sure they have since passed on and are in a better place now, but because of that one action, I now continue to help out the less fortunate any chance I can. Thank you all for your wonderful stories, continue to be the person that you are, and keep the stories coming!!

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

How hard it is to accept the words "thank you" when someone says them to you. It is so easy to refuse the gift...I feel I am at work, and I'm only doing my job, even if I like to spend that extra time with someone. Being told "thank you" can really make my day. Accepting a gift is harder, I don't know why.

Sharona, that is such a beautiful thing someone did for you. And the fact they gave the 20 dollars anonymously is even nicer...you can't refuse it! And you don't even know what you did! You obviously made someone else's day...

This thread is giving me goose bumps...

I had gone to my office to drop some paper work off. A somewhat close friend of mine at work commented on my new car. I jokingly said "ahhh its nice being independently wealthy". I asked about her new car (its a couple of yrs old but the newest car she's ever had) and she replied that it was pretty much totalled after an accident. (wasn't her fault but the person who hit her has no insurance, no job, nothing to take to recoup the money for the repairs) She had to go through her insurance to pay the damages. But she had a $500 deductible and she had to pay for a rental car while she was waiting for her to car to be fixed. I felt awful for her. she's been struggling lately and this being so close to Christmas it must be tight for her.

Fast forward a week later, I'm back in the office and asked how the body work ended up w/her car. She got teary eyed and said that it was done, looked like it was brand new. I said great, so why the teary eyes? She said she didn't know when she would be able to get together the money for the deductible and the body shop wouldn't release the car until the $500 was paid. I didn't know what to say, and just said oh, I'm so sorry.

Later on that day I went to work with $1000 cash in an envelope handed it to her and without a word, walked out the door. She called me and asked what the $ was for. I told her go get your car. And use the extra $ for whatever you need. She didn't want to take the $ as she didn't know when she'd be able to pay it back. Told her give me what you can spare each month and it will be paid off when it is..no time frame, if it took a year or longer..it was fine with me. My only REQUIREMENT of her was, in the future if there is ever a time she could help out someone else in need..that she do it.

Currently the hubby and I are comfortable with finances. We have everything we need and some things that we just wanted for us or the kids. But about 13 yrs ago I was down and out. and a good hearted soul helped me out..telling me that I could pay the $ back when I could..even if it was only $10 a month but his only requirement of ME was...if I was ever in the position to help out someone who needed it that I do it. I have been doing so ever since. Even if in small ways, I try to "pay it forward" every day.

**It's possible that I might not ever get the money back but I didn't give what I'll miss or what I couldn't afford. And I did it to help a person in need, hoping that one day, she will in turn help out another person in a bad way..**

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