A Time For Kindness

“I helped this woman load her shopping into her car this afternoon, she said she was so grateful that she could marry me.

“I couldn’t believe it, you do something nice for someone and they threaten to ruin your life.”

Happy 2023, Mackay!

I hope that joke started your day with a chuckle.

I chose to open with a good deed with a twist, because over the holidays, particularly in the week leading up to Christmas, I was floored with the generosity displayed by locals to those less fortunate.

And these displays of kindness came in all shapes and forms. Like a post on the Mackay Buy, Swap & Sell Facebook page, where Sonny Williams offered to give a good quality children’s bike away.

He asked, “Are there any mums or dads who need a pressie for a little takka?

“This bike would suit a 5+-year-old. Nothing wrong with it, free to a good home.

“I’d like this bike to go to someone who needs it and whom their child would appreciate. Merry Christmas.”

Another post on the Mums and Bubs of Mackay & the Whitsundays Facebook page showed that it doesn’t need to be a financial contribution to make a difference in a person’s life.

Madison Smith wrote, “I wanted to share about a beautiful and kind lady who helped me at Coles Mt Pleasant.

“I was in the self-serve checkout with my 7-week-old in the carrier and hubby had taken our son to the loo.

“My baby started crying and I had two people push in front of me as I turned to grab a couple of bags. When I got to the checkout, a lady in front of me asked if she could scan and bag my groceries so I could calm my baby.

“It was such a beautiful act of kindness, I’m so appreciative.”

Another story was shared about kindness from Coles Mt Pleasant.

“My son works at Coles Mt Pleasant mainly in the online department,” Tash Salanoa wrote.

“This is Tyrone’s first part-time job and first time working Christmas eve.

“When I picked him up after his shift, he came to the car with a smile from ear-to-ear just beaming and told me how a lovely lady surprised him with a box of chocolates and thanked him.

“Thank you to a lady named Leisa Scott, your kind and thoughtful gesture was so lovely.”

Pauline Nash in Sarina gave a shout-out to a local business who made her day.

She described how she accidentally placed an order for Alcorns Bakery in Andergrove instead of the Sarina store.

“They not only filled my order of bread rolls, but didn’t charge me. It was my mistake, so thank you ladies, I truly appreciate it.”

There were many more acts of kindness, from people picking up the tab for others while shopping, to individuals donating their belongings to those in need.

Now that the tinsel is down, the tree has been packed away and the world is a little less festive, I hope the kindness continues. The period after Christmas can be daunting for many people, emotionally and financially.

If you can spare some time to do good for others, I think January is the month where kindness is needed more so than any other time of the year.

Amanda

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