It was sudden, unexpected and as excruciating as any loss. My husband, my best friend, passed away a few weeks before Valentine’s Day. For many years, he would surprise me by purchasing one of the charity hearts in St. Michaels. These hearts are mounted randomly on the tall poles through town in a rolling order as they are purchased over a period of a few weeks, and profit goes to the community food pantry. My husband bought a heart which retained his pet saying for 8 prior years and waited with childish glee for me to find it. This year I ached each time I drove through town seeing the greatest number of hearts ever displayed, but of course not mine.

But one day nearer the holiday date I was progressing homeward by car and recognized “my” heart! I nearly caused an accident as I slammed to a halt in the street, then parked and took a picture to make that my keepsake, although its actual origin this year was unknown. 

I later learned that friends acquired my heart and quickly arranged for its display. Knowing people cared enough to make it possible for me to retain a treasured memory. It really is the little things that count the most in life and doing them for others whenever we can is an opportunity to treasure.  

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course that led to continued discussions.  If interested in learning more about meeting up and joining in on their get togethers, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at [email protected].

We hadn’t as yet found the Italian pastries that were part of our leisurely Sunday morning tradition of a selection of our favorites, a cup of espresso, and the Sunday Times, but we DID find the closest thing to New York pizza.  One day, while waiting for a few slices, we started talking to the owner and took the opportunity to ask where we could find Italian pastries.  His quick response was, “Forget it.”

The conversation continued, our pizza was ready, and the owner asked for our phone number. Weeks went by, and we had forgotten about the exchange when we got a call. “When you get a minute, stop in.” Not knowing what to expect, we were taken completely by surprise when the owner appeared from behind the counter with a large white bakery box, tied with the familiar thin black-and-white cord.  He explained that he had recently visited New York to see his new grandson and passed the bakery every day.  He couldn’t resist bringing us a little taste of home.  It’s difficult to express just how deeply this simple act of kindness moved us. For the first time since leaving New York, we felt like we truly belonged in this new place we now call home.” Grazie Mille!

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course that led to continued discussions.  If interested in learning more about meeting up and joining in on their get togethers, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at [email protected].

It was moving day.  The big load with all the furniture and boxes had just been unloaded, and my husband was on his way back over to the old house for the miscellaneous things that did not fit in the moving truck.  I had our two dogs with me as I set about organizing the kitchen and was making good progress when they both began to tell me they needed to go out.  Got their leashes on, headed out the back door to the deck, and of course, shut the door behind me. Oops. 

I discovered belatedly that the door locked behind us! I did not have my phone, nor did I expect my husband had his. So we found a piece of shade under one of the trees to wait it out on what had turned into a very hot August day.  Along came a new neighbor who struck up a conversation, where she learned what I had done. “Come to on over to my house, I can help!” she enjoined of me.  “We’ll stick the dogs in the back of my SUV and go get the house keys from your husband!” Off we went. Problem solved.  By a new acquaintance in our new neighborhood.  What a great introduction to our community!

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course that led to continued discussions.  If interested in learning more about meeting up and joining in on their get togethers, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at [email protected].

I had just found the perfect table in a store going out of business in St. Michaels. Excited, I bought it on the spot, but was told it needed to be picked up that day.  So, I called the Hubbie to come help me. Well… it didn’t quite fit in the back of our SUV.  Luckily though, he had thought to bring along blankets and tie downs.  As the two of us stood figuring out how we could best get it up on the roof, along came a stranger who stopped to offer assistance!  Suddenly, a monumental task for two seemed much easier!  But the story does not stop there.  As we headed home on St. Michaels Rd, I noticed that our special cargo appeared to be shifting.  No sooner had we pulled over to the side then someone pulled up behind us!  He had stopped to make sure everything was ok, and seeing our dilemma, followed behind us all the way home just to be sure.  Thanks to these kind souls, we got my table home safely and to its new spot in our home.  Every time I sit down to coffee at that table I am reminded of our introduction to this special Eastern Shore culture.

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course that led to continued discussions.  If interested in learning more about meeting up and joining in on their get togethers, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at [email protected].

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course. If interested in learning more about Better Together, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum here. 

My car had developed transmission issues, and I was worried about taking my wife to Annapolis for a medical procedure she needed. My neighbor insisted we take his pick-up instead. Approaching the bridge, I was reminded to turn on the headlights. Not sure about this borrowed vehicle, I turned them on manually. We got to the appointment on time, and the procedure went fine, but two hours later, when it was time to go bring the truck around for her, the engine wouldn’t turn over! Panicking, I noticed that I had left the headlights on, and the battery was dead. I found my pal’s jumper cables, but now what? I had noticed movement in a shiny red car next to me and tapped on the tinted window, blurting out that I had $20 for a jump. Despite my panic, the kind lady knew where the cables should clip and got the truck running in no time. That Angel’s simple act of kindness in a stressful situation got us back on the road home and our neighbor’s kindness got us  there!  Today it feels like we were the subject of a Paul Harvey “Rest of the Story.”

After arriving home after a nice visit to St. Michaels Harbor with my wife, she realized her wallet was missing. A call to and a much-appreciated search by the St. Michaels police turned up nothing. We immediately started listing all the calls to report lost cards and to order replacements. We also accepted that the cash was gone forever.  Minutes later, there was a knock at our front door. A couple told us they had found her wallet. They stopped to deliver it on their drive home to Washington, DC.  They refused any reward other than accepting our heartfelt thank you for their act of kindness.

Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course. If interested in learning more about Better Together, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at [email protected].