When Chad called me Sunday afternoon about his truck breaking down in Kansas City, I was so concerned. First, I know he has no extra money for truck repairs. He’s been looking for a full time job since graduating from college almost a year ago but he’s working two part-time jobs now — 32 hours a week at Wal-Mart and 12 – 15 hours for a local bank and then he works as an election poll person for every election so he’s really trying hard but there’s just not much money left over to save. Being in KC, he was going to be at the mercy of wherever that truck was towed. There was no way he could afford to have it towed all the way back to our mechanic in Nevada and it would certainly cost more than Chad had to get the fuel pump changed but that’s the only vehicle he has.
It turned out that his friend from Nevada is engaged to a girl from Belton and I don’t know how Chad ended up talking to his friend while on the side of the interstate, but his friend called his future father-in-law who went with his flat bed trailer and picked up Chad’s truck and brought it to his house. They couldn’t get it fixed Sunday night . . the bed had to be taken off, the fuel tank drained and partially removed. The man wanted Chad to be there when he was working on it and Chad couldn’t go til yesterday. It was about 10 p.m. by the time they got everything put back together. Chad called and he went on and on about how nice those people were.
The man wouldn’t take any money for his labor or for his gas for going to pick up Chad’s truck, which was probably about 50 miles from his house. They made several trips to the auto parts store. They got a discount at the parts store so the part that would have been over $300, Chad got for a bit less than $250. The man told Chad that when he needs help or an extra set of hands as he called it, he’ll call Chad to come help him. Chad was pretty excited about that because he said “Mom, I can learn so much from that man.”
I’m very thankful to that man for sharing his knowledge and spending his time helping Chad, and to his wife for allowing Nicole to stay in her home while the truck was being worked on. I doubt they even fully understand how much they helped Chad and how good it made me feel knowing someone was caring for them and helping them.
Chad asked me to make them a quilt and I certainly will so now I need to get busy and get a quilt made for him and maybe a pair of socks for her.
There truly are a lot of good people left but it’s too bad the news is filled with stories of bad deeds and we don’t hear enough about the good deeds.
Linda S says
I think it’s wonderful that good people seem to find good people. Won’t they be surprised to get a wonderful quilt and perhaps some socks. They are truly giving people, and it’s wonderful that you raised a boy who truly appreciates the gifts he’s being given.
Lee says
Wonderful, heart-warming story. And you’re right, there are good people in the world but we just don’t hear enough about them!, so thank you for sharing Chad’s story, and I love his attitude that shown in what he said: “Mom, I can learn so much from that man.” It’s a wonderful thing when a young man can recognize such things 🙂 🙂
Peggy says
It is nice to know that there are still people out in the world willing to help others. We know people like that also, but he was in reality helping a stranger and teaching him at the same time.
It is nice also of you to make him a quilt and her a pair of socks. I know they don’t expect anything, so it will be a really nice surprise.
Penny J Holliday says
Judy ~ Reading this has made such a good start for my day! No matter how old our children are they’re always in our hearts.Thanks for sharing this heart warming story about Chad. There are good people out there! Penny in So CA
vickie van dyken says
It is soooo much better to start the day with good news!! There are good people around and I believe God just puts them in our way when we need them:) It’s nice when we can show appreciation. I am certain that those people will really appreciate recieving a hand made quilt and some socks. Hooray for great stories like this!! I hope we can all participate in giving back and helping out in some way.
NancyB says
What a wonderful story. That couple’s generosity will touch so many people (your readers and friends and families, Chad’s and Nicole’s friends and families). Next, we all pass on that spirit. Wonderful!
Becky in VA says
What a heart warming story. Everyone benefited from this – the givers and the receivers. Just think how nice it made this man feel to do so much for Chad. Many lessons learned by everyone involved.
Karin says
I almost had tears in my eyes thinking how generous those people were to someone they didn’t even know! Amazing! I can totally feel your pain knowing Chad didn’t have money to spare AND being so far from him so you couldn’t help….. LOVE that the man ended up being a ‘teacher’ of sorts too! Bravo! I think a quilt will be an awesome ‘thank you’ gift! Can’t wait to see what you come up with 🙂
Linda in NE says
As Chad & Nicole found out, there are wonderful people in the world and it’s so sad the media concentrates on the bad ones. I really think the country’s morale would be so much better if every newspaper and newscast had more stories about good people than bad ones.
Why not make a quilt for the couple to share and a pair of socks for each? The wife might feel slighted if he gets a quilt and she gets socks, though there’s lots of time invested in both. Just a thought.
Karen says
What a heart warming story. I often wish when I watch the news that for every ‘bad’ story they balance it with a ‘good’ story like this one.
I’m sure they’ll love the quilt and socks – I can hear those needles clicking away!
CarolE says
This is why I subscribe to your blog but don’t subscribe to a newspaper.
pdudgeon says
what a great story!
Just goes to show that we never know how a simple good deed will be received, how far the lesson will be spread, and how great an influence it will have on others to do the same.
Freda Henderson says
That is a wonderful story. You don’t hear many good ones anymore. They will love the gifts you are making for them.
shirley bruner says
ahhh…that is just wonderful. it’s always nice to help folks. you never know when you will need the favor back.
lw says
This post made me miss my dad so much– he was a mechanic, and a good one, and he would have people who needed repairs come over and he’d work with them to fix their cars so they’d know how to do it the next time. He wouldn’t let them pay, either, just buy lunch.
Nan says
What a great story! Thank you for sharing.
Winona says
Judy, I have been broken down along side the road several times in my life. I have never yet been broke down and NOT have someone stop to help me. Sometimes, several people have stopped. I loved this story of Chad and wish more stories like this were shared. There are still lots of good people left in the world.
Joni in La. says
What a wonderful world it can be when people “do unto others….”. Some people just don’t get that “what goes around comes around”. Those sayings are just that because they are true. Too bad more people just don’t get it.
I loved Chad’s remark about “learning so much from that man”.
Alma says
This good gesture will stay with Chad forever.
Yes, there are more good people but we never hear about them. I know they will appreciate the quilt(s), socks, or whatever you send them. I was raised to believe that we repay people by doing something for someone else– someday.
Passing along acts of kindness.
Rita E in AZ says
Judy, you do so many kind things for others so it’s wonderful to hear that you and your family also receive kindness from folks whose paths cross yours. Thank you for sharing such a feel good story.
Elizabeth says
Thats just Awesome! We need a good story at least once day!
Leslie Sorenson says
Bible study this morning, your good folks story just now. My day is going great. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Kay says
What a wonderful story…there is so many good people in this world we just don’t hear enough stories about them..
I’ve always say a special thanks in my heart for the help that strangers /friends have done for my children and hope I can forward the good deed on in some way.
Love reading your blog and seeing your quilts.
Osagebluffquilter says
What an inspiring story. I’d love to see their face when they get a hand made quilt, and homemade knitted socks!!
melissa says
I really believe in the concepts of “pay it forward” and “random acts of kindness”. I’ve had both occur in my life and every time it had a profound effect on me. We all have the ability to change our corner of the world by practicing kindness every day. I think “future father in law” and his wife were probably pleased to help Chad. Most of us were young, broke and in need of help at some point in our lives and it feels so good to have opportunities to pay it back by helping out someone else.
Sherry Moran says
Great story, great people and it just reaffirms my faith in people. Most people are good; we just don’t hear enough about them.
Kathleen says
Thanks for sharing this news. I sometimes wish there was a news channel that only reported on good things that happened that day. I wonder if we heard more good than bad, if people would feel better and pass on that goodness to others.
Pam says
Good people prove that this is the land of opportunity not the land of entitlement.
Thanks for sharing. You have the right to be proud of your son. He has a good mother.
Linda Kay says
It’s so nice to know that someone is helping your baby boy out! There are good folks left in this world! =)
Marla says
Judy, your story gives me hope for our future! Bless those nice people.
Joan in NE says
Be sure to show us which quilt your making for them. Just a real blessing there still are people who will lend a hand when needed.
Hope the baby chick gets better. Although I seem to remember we always lost a few chicks every year.
JoAn GODFREY says
i need a like button!!!! how nice of them. i know my husband would have done the same thing if he could. we live on a major highway. we have given lots of mower gas to drivers, changed flat tires, called for hit deer, taken water and offered the bathroom the day after christmas one year when we woke up to a parking lot in front of the house because of ice…that lasted over 8 hours. so nice of you to make the quilt and socks. they will really appreciate them.
Debbie in Alaska says
Such a wonderful story! I’m so glad you shared it.
Mel Meister says
Your story made me smile. I believe there is more good in the world than bad.
Debi says
that’s really lovely Judy – obviously Chad is a chip off his mum and dad’s block to be a nice person worthy of helping too – they probably got a kick out of helping him too – and in turn getting to know them both.! Wish I could help to get a quilt too (kidding) haha
Beth says
I always tell my kids that it is not enough to just thank profusely and appropriately the person who helped th. They must also “pay it forward” by helping others who are in need.
nancy says
Thank you for sharing this story. Guardian Angels on earth. Brought tears to my eyes with a happy ending.
Doe in Mi says
Wonderful story Judy. Thanks for sharing. We all need to hear about the good now and then. Hear way to much of the bad. Don’t cha know?