Snow was falling, while from the safety of the school grounds the grinding and rumbling was deafening. It was a cold and frightful moment that led to unforgettable kindnesses.
Lesson 2: Kindness is Free and Valuable
People didn’t have to offer me shelter, but they did. Nor did they have to give me warm food, but it was their impulse to share.
In many cases, those generous people had lost more than I had. The countless acts of kindness I experienced during that time still makes me feel fuzzy just remembering them today.
One case in particular involved a co-worker, my supervisor. Although he had his own family to take care of and damage to attend to, he made it a priority to spend a couple of hours with me each day for the first few days after the earthquake. He wasn’t doing it just because he was my boss, and I really understood that he was genuine and sincere. I can still recall how I felt, and it was a priceless feeling.
