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Thread: The good guys thread

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Alaska: Where the odds are good, but the goods are odd.
    Posts
    5,701
    Pam Washek knows what it's like to need a little help.

    In 2002, she was sidelined by the chemo and radiation she needed after being diagnosed with sarcoma (a type of soft tissue cancer). But the Wayland, Mass., married mom of three soon discovered "angels were fluttering into my house” to handle chores.

    Without hesitation, family friends and neighbors had jumped in, raising their hands to cook, clean and shuttle kids to soccer practice.

    "I was touched by how the community embraced us," says Washek, 47.

    To pay their kindness forward, Washek teamed up with her friend Jean Seiden (who later died of cancer in 2006) to found what became the Neighbor Brigade, a volunteer network that started as a 40-person email chain.

    Now 3,300 members strong in communities around the state, the group helps families in crisis, including Nick Panzeri, 39, of Billerica, Mass.

    While recovering from brain tumor surgery, Panzeri accepted rides from dozens of strangers to his cognitive therapy sessions.

    "I feel so much less alone," says his wife, Sara.

    So does Brianna Anthony, whose family had meals delivered to them after losing their Natick, Mass., home in a fire. "These people," she says, "really care."

    Washek recently worked through a brief course of treatment for a cancer recurrence, and the Neighbor Brigade helped her, providing her family with meals. And she's still working on her cause, fielding queries from people from Massachusetts, New England and beyond who want to launch their own Neighbor Brigades.

    Says Washek, "People really want to get involved."

    By Moira Bailey and Alexandra Zaslow
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Alaska: Where the odds are good, but the goods are odd.
    Posts
    5,701
    Please share your stories. Remember the Glad Game from the movie Pollyanna?


    "The very name “Pollyanna” has come to mean someone who is eternally upbeat and optimistic, who spreads positivity and
    good will wherever she goes. Before you decide that such unremittingly cheerful behavior is truly nauseating and deserves
    a good smack, think of this: people who take time every day to count their blessings are truly happier (and live longer) than
    those who don’t.

    So spread a little good cheer in the New Year with this great game that helps you to focus on the glad, not the bad. Your heart–and everyone who knows you–will be grateful. It only takes a minute.

    You can play this game when you’re driving in your car, or taking a walk, or sitting at your computer–pretty much under any circumstances.

    Start small: just think of ONE THING that you’re glad for. Maybe it’s the taste of the special coffee that Aunt Ruth from Winnetka sent you for Christmas. Maybe it’s the fact that the holidays are over. Perhaps you have a new love in your life, or an interesting new project to work on. Or you could be glad for your family, or your dog or cat. Really think about whatever it is for a moment. Allow yourself to smile over it. Feel your heart open and glow with gratitude for whatever it is.

    That’s it. But tomorrow, try thinking of two things you’re really, truly glad for. Expand the field of your gratitude every day. Really take time to appreciate the many many blessings you enjoy. You’re alive: you have the capacity to be a beneficial and positive presence on the planet. You are needed–or you wouldn’t be here. Enjoy this life that you have been given! And be glad.

    Inspired by the classic, Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter."
    http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-glad-game.html
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Illinois, USA
    Posts
    28,394
    On the way back from my interview I went to Burger King for lunch. Decided to eat in the car and listen to the radio. As I'm sitting there with the window rolled down, I see a gull about six feet from the driver's door, standing on the pavement, looking intently at me. So I wait a moment to see what he's going to do. He keeps looking. I remember a thread I read on PT that says not to feed bread to birds because it can obstruct their airway. I decide I'll toss him some of the lettuce from my chicken sandwich. I toss a couple of bits of lettuce out the window and he darts up and grabs them! Fella wants to share my lunch! I toss out a couple more and he ignores them. Now I guess he is waiting for the good stuff, so I pull out some of the soft center of the bun, break it up into tiny bits and toss a few out the window. Stinker snarfs them up so fast! And then he waits. "Got any more, lady?" So I gave him just a few more tiny ones from the little bit of the bread I had left. He wanted to share my lunch. Oh, how I wish I'd had a camera.
    Praying for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and around the world.

    I've been Boo'd ... right off the stage!

    Aaahh, I have been defrosted! Thank you, Bonny and Asiel!
    Brrrr, I've been Frosted! Thank you, Asiel and Pomtzu!


    "That's the power of kittens (and puppies too, of course): They can reduce us to quivering masses of Jell-O in about two seconds flat and make us like it. Good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or they'd surely have taken over the world by now." -- Paul Lukas

    "We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays." -- Persius, first century Roman poet

    Cassie's Catster page: http://www.catster.com/cats/448678

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    My Home!
    Posts
    1,822
    Wow....awesome, Elyse!

    Well, my happy story might be a bit baby-ish or.....silly, but, anyway, today, one of the amazingest things happened to me...

    At recess, I saw a girl eating a shawarma and then I really felt like eating one.
    This is what it looks like (Our school's don't look this amazing.. :P )


    I went to the canteen and the line there was too long, so, I decided to come back later. After the juniors had left, I went back to the canteen. I asked the lady there if there was anything left other than chips and biscuits etc. and she said no. I kind of felt bad, but, I decided to buy a packet of Lays or something like that. I was about to ask her to give me some Lays, but, then the other canteen lady interrupted me. A shawarma had fallen on the ground (it didn't get dirty, it was wrapped up in wax paper ) and she asked the other lady to put it on the counter in case some student wanted to buy it. At first I thought I heard wrong. I thought she said something like some other student had to come and buy it. I asked the lady if I could buy it and she said something like of course and that'll be Rs.50. I counted the money in my hand and it was EXACTLY 50 ruppees. I didn't count my money before I left my house. I just grabbed all the small ruppee notes and turns out, I grabbed exactly 50 ruppees. I gave it to her and told her that that was what I had wanted to buy. The two ladies were pretty happy and said, "That's fate. Your name was written down on this shawarma." Meaning I was meant to buy it and eat it. And it tasted great!!

    Anyway, I felt really really really happy after this. Felt like sharing it!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    trenton, new jersey
    Posts
    7,867
    A few summers ago, a dog in Philadelphia was severely abused and tortured. Fortunately help came and he was taken to the emergency vet for treatment but he was in pretty bad shape. Chase Utley plays with the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. When Chase heard about this, he stepped up and paid all of the vet bills so the dog could get the medical care and treatment he needed to make a full recovery. Chase and his wife even went to visit the dog while he was in the veterinary hospital.

    Thank you, Chase Utley!!!!!! While I'm not a Phillies fan, I'll proudly wear your shirt to show my appreciation for all you did to help this beautiful dog recover and have the life he deserves. Bless you, Mr. Utley!
    FIND A PURPOSE IN LIFE.....BE A BAD EXAMPLE

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Alaska: Where the odds are good, but the goods are odd.
    Posts
    5,701
    THE TIRE HERO

    On my way to church for a meeting, my car started to rattle. At a light the driver in the next lane told me I had a flat tire. He said he worked for a tire store a few blocks away, but I was late and decided I'd just deal with it later. When I finally pulled into the parking lot, the same guy from the other lane pulled up. He had followed me to make sure I was okay. Then, in the super-hot sun, he changed my tired with my SUV's jack and spare. When I offered to pay him, he refused, saying that he hoped someone would do the same for his wife.

    Susan, Bellaire, Texas
    Last edited by kuhio98; 09-15-2012 at 10:25 AM.
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Alaska: Where the odds are good, but the goods are odd.
    Posts
    5,701
    THE RAIN LADY

    While walking home from the library with two young daughters, it suddenly started pouring. Our clothes were drenched, the stroller was heavy and I felt like we'd never make it back. Then a stranger stopped her car and handed us her umbrella. I was so grateful. That umbrella now sits in my car waiting for me to return the favor to someone else.

    Amy
    Southport, North Carolina
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

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