Unmasking the Real Heroes.

To the real community heroes: kind people everywhere,

There’s something different about kind people—they really care. They care about what they are doing and how they make others feel; they just care differently than the rest of the world, and it’s these kinds of people that are the real community heroes.

Anyone that encounters one of these people experiences another drop of hope in the world. The smiling faces, helping hands, generous gifts, patient spirits, and passionate drives that these souls release— make the world a better place. I know it sounds cliche and maybe a bit too vague, but I am deeply inspired by “kind” people that don’t have a name or any close relational or social connection. They are just people being kind, and I take notice of the world around me being inspired and bettered by each of them. They make me want to be a nicer, more generous, and more thoughtful person.

So in honor of KIND People Everywhere I recognize only a few:

To the kind young man I watched get out of a small white Toyota,

As I sat at the red light across the highway from you, I noticed the passenger door open up and you climbed out. You had a small bag in your hand and quickly walked to push the crosswalk button closest to you. I thought it was strange that you got out, but then I noticed a homeless man in the median not far from where you stood. I thought the bag was for him…and then someone called to you from the car you had just exited. You ran back as someone handed you a few more bags, and I looked around to see who they may be intended for. There was a homeless woman sitting down on the sidewalk at the light beside me. I hadn’t noticed until you got out. You made me look—and now I could see that there were four people in need. The crosswalk light changed and I watched you approach the first person and hand them a bag. I imagined what was inside but really wondered how the person must feel to be noticed and helped—despite the contents inside. The first man extended his hand for a shake and you did not shy away from accepting his hand. You embraced his grasp and nodded as you headed across the next four lanes of traffic to the woman sitting down beside me. As she took her bag, the truck behind me laid on their horn to tell me it was time to move on. I didn’t get to see her reaction but I imagine she was thankful and glad that someone in the world still cared. I too am grateful—grateful that there are still kind people in the world inspiring others to keep going, to keep hoping, to keep living and reminding them that someone else notices them. Hats off to you—Mr. Youngman— that day you inspired me to do more and raise my kids to do the same. Thanks for making a difference in my life and causing me to really see the people around me.

To the young high-school student working the drive thru window of McDonald’s,

Just the other day I pulled up to the ordering speaker and your bubbly, positive voice rang out at me, “Welcome to McDonald’s what can I get for you?”, you chimed cheerily. Believe me when I say it wasn’t your typical drive thru exchange, and I should know because I have five kids and we frequently drive thru way more than I like. The experience is usually quite stressful and rushed. I’m usually not sure the person in the window is really even listening to what I’m saying, but not you. You made me feel like I was the only one in that line and that you were happy to be there. Yes I said, “You were happy to be there!” When I got to the window, you were still smiling and commented on my hair. I know it's silly, right? No, you made a 40 yr old mom— feel really good! As I pulled up to the second window, your manager stood passing the fulfilled orders out, and I said, “I’m not sure if it was you that put her at the 1st window but she is definitely the girl for the job!” “I knew that you were going to say that before you even started talking,” your manager replied, “the car in front of you just said the same thing.” So there you have it, I’m not making this up. More than one person noticed your kindness that day at the window. Here I am saying thanks again for taking your job seriously and going above and beyond the call of duty. You are a hero in my book and I think the person in that car in front of me would say the same!

I could definitely go on and write tribute after tribute, so

to every other kind person that smiles at me at the grocery store, stops to compliment me on my beautiful family at Chick-fil-A, or secretly pays for our dinner because it’s Christmas time and you just wanted to do something nice. You are the real heroes! You are giving people hope, changing the world one act at a time and keeping people sane as they fight their way through this life. Keep up the good work and please know it is Greatly Appreciated by this fellow human.

Sincerely a receiver of such kindness,

Natalie Stover