Random Act of Kindness

By: Lourdes G. Mon

 

When one’s house burns down, it’s a surreal, scary and a terrible feeling. You think that it is something that you only see on tv, in the news, but not happening to you. Here’s a story about a newlywed of six months, let’s call them Tom and Jane, had this experience that changed their life together forever. Coming home to their 4-room house, their first home together, with everything they got from wedding gifts to new household items they are starting with, were lost in an instant.

It was wintertime, and their house was covered with snow. There were several feet on snow on the side of the house. As they pulled into the driveway, they saw a wisp of snow on the roof, it looked funny. It was grey. Tom and Jane suddenly realized what it was. Smoke. Smoke!

Five hours and countless firefighters later, there was nothing left. Immediately, Tom and Jane were surrounded by neighbors and amazing people they never met before. Neighbors who hardly knew them, brought blankets and warm drinks, for them and for the firefighters. People tucked folded $5 or $10 dollar bills into Jane’s numb hand or in her pocket as they hugged her, trying to reassure her agonizing heart. She could not imagine the enormity of the life she and Tom are facing. All material belongings are now dust. In front of her, everything was lost.

With her husband in a neighbor’s house talking to the fire inspector, the fire department reported that the fire was caused by faulty wiring. It had started as overheated lights soaked into tar coated beams, building a hot and smoking fire in the basement. Had they been home, they may have died, since the fire started from under the doorway to their bedroom. They had smoke alarms, but if they were deeply asleep, they may not have heard them. That was a lucky break, if you could call it a break.

Jane stood in the front yard alone, helpless with only hot tears profusely running down her cheeks. Jane could not move; just stood stationary. Nearby was one firefighter, named Peter, who was there from the start of the first fire truck until the fire was completely put out. All dirtied-up and fatigued, he walked by Jane, and she whispered “Thank you.”

Peter said “come here” and put his big arms around Jane. She bursts into tears in the arms of this big, wet, dirty stranger. For the first time, she felt safe, and she just knew for the moment in his arms nothing else bad could happen. She relaxed a bit, and her emotion poured out and cried every tear that she held back during the preceeding hours.

He lifted Jane’s chin, looked at her and said “This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.” Peter kissed her forehead before he left.

Peter started a fundraising he held at the Firefighters Social Club. He set-up an appointment with the Red Cross, to make sure Tom and Jane had a place to stay. He helped provide basic needs for their apartment, like delivering a sofa. He was also responsible for envelopes containing cash donations of $40-$50 by numerous people that were inserted underneath the door of the apartment. Because of the random act of kindness demonstrated by Peter, he became a very close friend of Tom & Jane.

One day, Jane asked Peter why he took upon himself to help her. He responded, “When I saw you there, I could feel how alone you felt, and I couldn’t let you think that was all there was… I wanted you to have hope.”

Years later, Peter died, and Jane attended his wake that was kept for hours and hours. There was an honor guard from the fire department for crowd-control. He was a big loss to the entire town. His wife and children never knew how he helped people rebuild, aside from being a firefighter. Slowly, people whom Peter helped, encircled his wife, relating to her how much Peter helped them and how much he meant to them. Each one discovered that in their sadness, sorrows, and painful experiences being victims of fire, I am repeating Peter’s consoling and inspiring words, “This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.”

To end the story, Jane pointed out. “Peter was right… people helped, and better things came. His kindness to me and to so many, will never be forgotten.” Even just one person can make a difference in many people’s lives at any given time.