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Memorial Day weekend isn’t all just about barbecues and beach parties – it’s also about honoring service members who have fought for the values of our country. That’s why Josh Rainey didn’t mind spending a couple hundred bucks on a young service member trying to get home to see his family. Keaton Tilson, after being stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, was given permission at the very last minute to fly home to Granite City, Illinois and see his family for Memorial Day weekend. But after spending two days at the airport attempting to wait for a seat on standby, the Army mechanic was starting to lose hope. When Josh overheard his story at the airport, however, he offered to give his ticket to Keaton. The airport staff explained that their policy prevented people from exchanging tickets, but Josh didn’t give up. He then called his wife, who agreed that they should buy a ticket for the young man themselves. The ticket, which cost $341, was a small price to pay for the heartfelt hug, the memory of which will last Josh a lifetime. “He walked away and came back and asked if he could hug me, and I think we both had to fight back the tears after that,” Rainey stated.  “It was pennies, pennies on the dollar compared to what I got back from that hug.” A touch of a moment could sometimes last a lifetime, and this here too tends to fall in such direction. Let’s continue to dish out kindness where ever we go.

If you’re feeling down about your situation, take a moment to reflect on the inspiring journey of Norma Heath. After losing her job several years ago, Norma fell into a deep depression, leading to homelessness and struggles with addiction, which prevented her from completing her education. However, everything changed two years ago when she discovered Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter in Boston, Massachusetts. There, she received vital counseling and support. A pivotal moment for Norma was when volunteers encouraged her to articulate her goals. Her list included small, manageable objectives like attending doctor’s appointments and avoiding negative influences, but it also featured her ultimate aspiration: graduating from Harvard University. Recently, at the age of 51, Norma achieved that dream, graduating with a degree in psychology from the prestigious Ivy League institution. In her own words, “Some days, you feel like giving up. But people around us are going to be our cheerleaders. If I can do it, then you can do it.” When resilience if fueled by kindness, there’s hardly a thing that’s impossible to achieve.

A waitress who did a good deed for a pair of firefighters was overwhelmed when they returned the favor—for her father. Instead of a bill for their breakfast, Liz Woodward brought a pair of New Jersey firefighters a thank you note. They’d just spent 24 hours battling the blaze at a local warehouse, and the waitress wanted to do something nice for them. “Your breakfast is on me today,” the note read, along with little drawings of a fire ax and helmet. “Thank you for all that you do.” Firefighter Tim Young posted the story and a photo of the note to Facebook, urging people to eat at the diner where she worked. But then, he found out the waitress had a GoFundMe campaign that she was using to raise $17,000 to buy her father a wheelchair-accessible van. “Turns out, the young lady who gave us a free meal is really the one that could use the help,” Young wrote in another post. The firefighter’s plea spread like wildfire. His posts were shared thousands of times and 1,000 people donated more than $67,000 — $50,000 above her goal. “This is just one example of how so many people in this world have incredible hearts and they pay it forward, so the circle keeps on moving,” Woodward told news outlet.

Nine years ago, Jonny Benjamin was perched on the edge of Waterloo Bridge, ready to take his own life. But fate intervened in the form of Neil Laybourn, a passing stranger who stopped to talk him down. Recently, the two crossed the finish line of the London Marathon together. Jonny, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age 20, had reached a breaking point. But Neil’s compassionate words, “I really believe you’re going to get better, mate,” gave him hope. The pair went their separate ways, but Jonny never forgot his savior. In 2014, he launched a campaign, which went viral and reunited the two men. Since their emotional reunion, Jonny and Neil have become the best of friends and advocates for suicide prevention. They have met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who support mental health charities like Heads Together. Together, they ran the 2017 London Marathon, completing the 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 28 minutes. Jonny’s journey has not been without challenges. He has faced setbacks in his training and even experienced a psychotic episode in public. But through it all, Neil has been by his side, supporting him and reminding him of the progress they’ve made. As Jonny and Neil crossed the finish line together, they celebrated not only their physical accomplishment but also the emotional journey they have shared. Their story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope, and that a simple act of kindness can change the course of a life forever.

A group of young people went to Jackson Park in Missouri to swim in the stream on a pleasant day. Hubble Creek, located in Jackson City Park, was a popular spot for kids to enjoy the water. However, heavy rains had recently caused flooding, creating a dangerous current beneath the bridge. Suddenly, a girl went missing from the pool while four boys were playing nearby. One of the boys, Aiden Kyle, told his friends that the little girl had left just a few minutes earlier. Despite the rain and rising water levels, everyone continued to swim and splash around, although the boys were concerned about what had happened to the little girl, Kinsley Stuart. In a matter of seconds, Aiden spotted Kinsley’s hand near the bridge area and jumped in to grab it. Realizing he needed help to rescue her from the strong current, he called his friend Isaiah Randol. Isaiah rushed over and took hold of her hand while Aiden swam alongside. The other two boys joined in, and together they managed to pull her out of the water despite the powerful current. Everyone emerged safely, and Kinsley was taken to the hospital immediately, where she was later discharged. Kinsley’s parents expressed their gratitude repeatedly for the boys who saved their daughter. They wanted to thank the staff at Kenny’s Burger Flipping Company, who always welcomed the boys to eat for free. They believed that no amount of money could compare to what the boys had done for their family. No one could imagine what might have happened if these heroes had not been there during that critical moment. We would be doing great service to humanity if we awaken the consciousness of kindness in our children, and at the earliest opportunity.

In late April, a devastating EF4 tornado struck Oklahoma, trapping nine-year-old Branson Baker and his parents, Wayne and Lindy, in their pickup truck. As they were en route to a friend’s storm shelter, the tornado uprooted a tree, crashing it into their vehicle and leaving Wayne and Lindy severely injured. In a moment of sheer bravery, Branson managed to escape the wreckage and guided by flashes of lightning, ran over a mile to seek help, all while fearing for his parents’ lives. His last words to them were a heartfelt plea: “Mom, Dad, please don’t die, I will be back.” Branson’s determination proved crucial as he located a neighbor who followed him back to the scene, where first responders were already tending to his injured parents. Wayne suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a sternum, while Lindy faced even graver challenges with a punctured lung and fractures in her neck and back. Both are currently recovering at OU Medical Center, supported by their community, which has rallied to raise over $10,000 for their medical expenses. Branson’s uncle, Johnny, expressed immense pride in his nephew’s courage, noting that not many adults would have acted with such quick resolve in a crisis. The Baker family’s story has inspired many, including Branson’s baseball teammates, who wore stickers in support during a recent game. Branson channeled his emotions into the game, hitting a home run dedicated to his parents. The community’s admiration for him has been reflected in a GoFundMe campaign, celebrating him as a small but mighty hero with a bright future ahead. As the Bakers continue their recovery, they are grateful for the outpouring of support and the heroic actions of their young son who became their “Superman” in a trying moment. If and when we’re determined to do kind things, not even age can stop us. May we continue to rise to the height of kindness, regardless.

Warm and heartfelt greetings! We’re back, just as promised. Today, we’re excited to share highlights from all our activities over the past month. Sit back and enjoy this visual journey through our experiences! Thank you for your continued readership, keep a date with us, same time, same site. Keep T.A.L.K.ing

Three inmates could have taken advantage of their security supervisor’s medical emergency – but instead, they stayed by his side and ensured that he was taken care of. The Bladen County inmates from North Carolina were picking up trash on the side of the road as a part of a program that allows them to perform community service in exchange for having their jail time reduced. Their work was interrupted, however, when their supervisor James Smith started to stumble, which led him to fall into a ditch. The inmates immediately rushed to his side. When Smith was unable to answer basic questions, the men used his phone to call for an ambulance before stopping traffic and asking drivers for help, according to the sheriff department Paramedics escorted Smith to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where doctors were able to diagnose the episode as a stroke. While the supervisor has been recovering in the hospital, each of the three men were honoured with the sheriff department’s esteemed Life-Saving Award. The awards can dramatically improve their chances of landing employment once they are released from prison, but the men say that they are simply happy that Smith is okay. “At the end of the day, knowing he is OK, that makes you feel better,” one of the inmates told WECT, with another inmate adding: “He’s a good man. He’s more than a police officer. He’s more or less like my friend. He’s just a really good guy all the way around.” Upon presenting the awards, Sheriff Jim McVicker said: “It goes to show, if you treat people right, they’ll return the favour and treat you right, and that’s exactly what these men have done here.” At this point, it is evident that what goes around, comes around. So, let’s keep dishing out kindness.

Truly, Together Everyone Achieves More [TEAM]! This Colorado pair brings new meaning to the word “determination”. When one couldn’t walk and the other couldn’t see, they teamed up to share their love of the great outdoors. Melanie Knecht was born with spina bifida, so she uses a wheelchair to get around. Trevor Hahn only recently became blind after he contracted glaucoma five years ago. Both living in Fort Collins, Colorado, the two met at an adaptive boxing class—and they soon ran into each other again at an adaptive rock-climbing class. They immediately bonded over Knecht’s lifelong hobby of camping and Hahn’s passion for outdoor sports. When she told him about her recent trip to Easter Island, where she got the opportunity to be carried on another person’s back, it was a “eureka” moment. Even though his sight was gone, he’d been able to scale a Himalayan peak, using poles and spoken directions from his companions. They started small, but next month—with her vision and his strength—they will trek to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain. “It just seemed like common sense,” Knecht told Good Morning America. “He’s the legs, I’m the eyes — boom! Together, we’re the dream team.” At the start of each hike, a friend lifts Knecht into a carrier on Hahn’s back. From that point on, she gives him verbal directions to navigate the trail. Since February, they have been sharing their hiking adventures on Instagram. It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life,” Hahn stated. “The best part is being able to make her smile—that gives me purpose.” In addition to this sense of purpose, the two share an understanding of how difficult it can be asking able-bodied or sighted people for assistance in everyday life. They get immeasurable satisfaction from being able to do this on their own. That’s the human spirit,” Hahn told Outside magazine. “If you want something bad enough, and you find the right people—who also want what you want—you can do anything. Nothing is impossible for us to achieve, if only we work together in kindness as a team.