Yes, that's so well said Claire and I found it to be true too. It's amazing how much generosity is created and passed around. Thank you for the comment!
I love this story! I’m glad your sister is on the road to recovery and that you were with her during this time. Now I want a popsicle. Great job, Michelle 👍🏽🙂
Thank you so much Daniel! I will say, the popsicles were delicious, it's been a while since I've had one. I appreciate the kind words and well wishes!!
I'm trying to catch up on my substacks, so I'm getting to this late. I hope your sister’s recovery is going well. Also, awesome job turning this short, but sincere interaction into a great essay.
Thank you Randy! I'm lucky we ran into each other and he inspired this piece (and gave us food to eat for days). Your own piece about your surgery actually helped put into perspective for me how scary surgery is for everyone.
Thank you so much Elizabeth! Sammie is doing 100x better now and we are back home. It was super well timed to meet this guy and remember how important it is to put little bits of kindness into the world.
This was great! I love knowing that people are inherently good. Paying it forward is such a small act of goodness that has a huge ripple effect. Personally, I ALWAYS pay for the person behind me when I’m in a drive through. It’s the little things that make big change.
Thank you! I agree, I also believe people are inherently good. That's amazing that you pay for the person behind you in a drive through! I never do it, but it's such a small helpful thing. I will have to consider it next time I'm at McDonalds!
Such a lovely story. Man, this was so sweet Michelle. I loved this line - "While popsicles do seem like a classic villain troupe for luring children, I was too tired and touched by the offer to let my fear of being kidnapped kick in."
I gotta ask, what happened to your sister? Sammie, am I right? How is she now?
Thank you so much Celeste! Oh wow, that's a very kind question. I've thought about fiction but haven't played around with it. It's funny, it feels intimidating to create a story from scratch!
The way you wrap up this story is arresting. Wow. My heart is full of empathy and care for your sister, the man you crossed paths with that day, and everyone who’s been there for them—including you and your mom. ❤️
Thank you so much Maddie, your comment means a lot to me! Spending time in that hotel made me appreciate how difficult it is to support someone sick and how everyone steps up to help one another.
100% this. I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "interdependence" for exactly this reason—helping other people, and letting yourself be helped by them, is beautiful and powerful.
I love it when an author does the hard of removing all the distractions to pure enjoyment. The strength of your writing craft is fading more and more into the background and leaving me free to delight in your lovely tales.
I love it. Just the bedtime story I needed. You nailed it!
Thank you Camilo! Always nice to have some positive vibes in the world.
I learned from my own health journey that you can never repay all the kindnesses--you can only pay it forward. I loved this story; my eyes are misty.
Yes, that's so well said Claire and I found it to be true too. It's amazing how much generosity is created and passed around. Thank you for the comment!
Aww such a sweet man! Hope you all enjoyed the popsicles and safe travels home!
Thank you Kelly, he was so nice as was everyone in the hospital! The popsicles were delicious and we are now all back home which is very nice.
I love this story! I’m glad your sister is on the road to recovery and that you were with her during this time. Now I want a popsicle. Great job, Michelle 👍🏽🙂
Thank you so much Daniel! I will say, the popsicles were delicious, it's been a while since I've had one. I appreciate the kind words and well wishes!!
I'm trying to catch up on my substacks, so I'm getting to this late. I hope your sister’s recovery is going well. Also, awesome job turning this short, but sincere interaction into a great essay.
Thank you Randy! I'm lucky we ran into each other and he inspired this piece (and gave us food to eat for days). Your own piece about your surgery actually helped put into perspective for me how scary surgery is for everyone.
Beautiful story!
Thank you so much William!
"Plus, my mom was waiting for me. Also, I’m an adult."
So sweet and wonderfully sprinkled with your Goose humor. This made me smile.
hehe thank you Sandra! I appreciate you and I'm glad this made you smile.
What a beautiful story, Michelle!!!! I hope your sister feels better!!! What a sweet man too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Elizabeth! Sammie is doing 100x better now and we are back home. It was super well timed to meet this guy and remember how important it is to put little bits of kindness into the world.
This was great! I love knowing that people are inherently good. Paying it forward is such a small act of goodness that has a huge ripple effect. Personally, I ALWAYS pay for the person behind me when I’m in a drive through. It’s the little things that make big change.
Thank you! I agree, I also believe people are inherently good. That's amazing that you pay for the person behind you in a drive through! I never do it, but it's such a small helpful thing. I will have to consider it next time I'm at McDonalds!
Such a lovely story. Man, this was so sweet Michelle. I loved this line - "While popsicles do seem like a classic villain troupe for luring children, I was too tired and touched by the offer to let my fear of being kidnapped kick in."
I gotta ask, what happened to your sister? Sammie, am I right? How is she now?
Thank you so much Ishan! You are my source of inspiration for being fearless haha.
Sammie is doing great! We had a little bit of stomach issues afterwards but now everyone is home and healthy.
Wishing your sister a fast recovery! You are incredible at storytelling, Michelle! Ever thought about writing short fiction stories?
Thank you so much Celeste! Oh wow, that's a very kind question. I've thought about fiction but haven't played around with it. It's funny, it feels intimidating to create a story from scratch!
It is intimidating! I am writing one but I love the challenges along the way. It is so fun!
Let me know when it's published :)
You're inspiring me, I want to play around with one!
It might take a while, with day job amd newsletter going at the same time :-)
Pay it Forward, what a gem of a gesture & reminder. <3
Thank you for the comment Mafe! It really was a heart warming moment for us.
The way you wrap up this story is arresting. Wow. My heart is full of empathy and care for your sister, the man you crossed paths with that day, and everyone who’s been there for them—including you and your mom. ❤️
Thank you so much Maddie, your comment means a lot to me! Spending time in that hotel made me appreciate how difficult it is to support someone sick and how everyone steps up to help one another.
100% this. I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "interdependence" for exactly this reason—helping other people, and letting yourself be helped by them, is beautiful and powerful.
Yes! So well said. It's about giving and receiving. I feel like this is a big lesson I'm learning and relearning these past couple years.
I love it when an author does the hard of removing all the distractions to pure enjoyment. The strength of your writing craft is fading more and more into the background and leaving me free to delight in your lovely tales.
Ah thank you so much Rick! That's such a wonderful compliment coming from you.
A delightful tale. And you’re paying it forward by spreading the message of kindness. ❤️
Thank you Eric! Haha I hope so. My mom did her own acts of kindness too by making soup and offering it to people in the hotel lobby.
MY HEART!!!! 10/10 solid gold post as usual
Thank you so much Josh!! I'm glad it was a moving piece. I was definitely touched by the kindness!