Small town life isn’t for everybody. It’s true what they say: everyone really does know everyone else’s business. This is truer than ever in the era of social media, where our lives are bared publicly for all to see. In times like these, anonymity can feel like a has-been reality. There’s nowhere to hide in a small town.
But while social media can be a modern-day soapbox, a place where grievances are aired and messy lives are shared, it can also be a reminder that goodness persists. Although sometimes it’s only lurking in the shadows, it can make an appearance when least expected.
What follows are some real-life heart-warming stories of kindnesses paid without expectation of compensation.
Maylia Bodman has a three-year-old daughter with a rare disease, so the Bodmans travel to Chicago on a monthly basis for testing and follow-ups over a new and promising medical treatment. In early February, the family flew south once again, leaving just before a major snowfall, and returned to mountains of fresh snow. Exhausted after hours spent in hospitals and airports, they knew they’d arrive home and have to deal with the aftermath.
“We were blown away when we got home to find that a neighbour had cleared our entire driveway and walkway,” Maylia says. “We still don’t know which neighbour it was but are extremely grateful for the kindness we have been shown. When you are dealing with some tough things in your life, these sorts of selfless gestures mean the world.”
Another Niverville woman, Sapphire, has also been touched by a small gesture that impacted her life in a big way.
“I moved to Niverville in July and didn’t know anyone here,” Sapphire says. “In November, I had a doctor appointment and it was really cold outside. I was only wearing a hoodie. [There was] snow on the ground and a windchill. As I was walking to the pharmacy, this woman pulled over with her two young kids [and asked], ‘Would you like a ride?’”
Sapphire gratefully accepted the ride and found the stranger not only willing to wait at the pharmacy but ready to drive her home, too. What these strangers would soon discover is that they were neighbours—and they’ve since become fast friends.
Bobby Buhay and his partner Breanne moved to Niverville in 2015. Within a week of their move, neighbours were bringing baked goods and inviting them over for casual visits. On Halloween, a neighbour even delivered a special baby-friendly package for their new son Luke. Other times, the Buhays have been recipients of random acts of driveway snow-clearing.
“I saw an amazing act of kindness last summer,” says Bobby. “I had gone outside to check on a sprinkler and saw a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with people standing by on the sidewalk. I ran over to see what was going on and a gentleman in a wheelchair had tipped backwards off of the sidewalk. Two people had seen it happen and slammed on their brakes to get out and help.”
A town employee had also been nearby cutting grass. The team pulled together to right the wheelchair and get the man back on his way.
“That was amazing to see people actually stop and help without hesitation,” Bobby says.
More recently, Bobby’s parents were the recipients of a pay-it-forward gesture while on a visit to the local Tim Horton’s drive-thru. With four large coffees and donuts in hand, they discovered that their order had been prepaid by the stranger in front of them.
“Someone paying for your coffee is one thing, but that larger order was simply amazing,” Bobby muses. “My parents were so impressed by that.”
Liz Byron tells a story of paying-it-backward where her kind gesture led to an unexpected thank you.
“My partner and I were on our way into [Niverville] on a Friday night,” Liz says. “It was about 7:00 p.m. and it was one of those really cold, deep freeze days. As we turned off Highway 200 onto the 311, we saw a truck on the shoulder, engine off, with its lights on.”
Liz and her partner stopped to check on the driver’s well-being. They waited with him until his stalled engine started again and they knew he’d be okay.
“We then stopped at Gan’s to pick up dinner on our way to see friends, and as we were about to pay for our food, the driver of the truck walked in and said he wanted to pay for our dinner.”
Liz quibbled with the man, arguing that, on a night like that anyone would have done the same.
“We had ordered a large meal for four people,” Liz adds. “He said that he was so comforted to know that if he had been in trouble, he would have had help. He insisted on paying for our dinner and wished us a good evening. It was such an unexpected, generous thing to do and I was very touched.”
Residents of the 55+ development in St. Adolphe also know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a local man’s thoughtfulness. For years, the facility has been the drop-off location for a variety of fresh summer vegetables for their enjoyment. On a regular basis throughout the harvest months, they’ll find pails of cucumbers, carrots, squash, and more waiting in their front foyer.
“Many of the residents are on fixed incomes and to have these treats is amazing,” says Natalie, a resident in the building. “I am not sure if he realizes how grateful we are.”
During the Christmas season, too, 55+ residents there have been gifted with huge festive packages dropped off by a group of anonymous girls. The packages include toiletry essentials and a variety of goodies, chocolates, and handmade cards.
“They have done this on Christmas Eve for years,” Natalie says. “They brighten Christmas for all of us [and it] makes such a difference at this time of year.”
These are just a few of the many thoughtful and sometimes anonymous gestures of goodwill that happen all around us, every day.
If you’re one of the selfless citizens in our communities, we all thank you! However big or small, your kindness does make a difference.