Laura Kwerel
Stories
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The strangers who guided her home — and returned with Christmas dinner
Mary Klein had just moved to a new city when she got lost. A couple stopped to help and guided her home. They returned the next day with Christmas dinner.
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She couldn't pay it back — so she paid it forward
In the midst of a divorce, Jolena Rothweil asked to borrow some money from a friend. All he asked in return was that she pay it forward, and that act began a chain of kindness.
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She lost her purse — but strangers stepped in to save the day
On a trip to Chicago, Lavonne Schaafsma lost her purse. Two women saw a man rifling through it — and stepped in to help.
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'Where do you want to go?': Six words that helped her start again
When Stacia was 21, she was struggling with severe depression. A stranger's simple question gave her safety during a time she needed it the most. Now, it's an example she's tried to follow ever since.
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She felt abandoned — until a teacher's hug reminded her she wasn't alone
When she was in the sixth grade, Tanya Eby's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Eby in a hug.
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Leaves piled up after her husband's injury. Then a friend showed up with a rake
In 2017, Eileen Freiberg-Dale's husband, Barney, had a serious bicycle accident that caused a brain injury. Those first few months were among the hardest of her life. A friend offered support.
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After his father died in the hospital, a nurse held him in his arms
Alek Hermon didn't think much of his father's overnight nurse until his father died.
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Decades later, Karen de Boer still remembers a kind gesture from her college hallmate
As a college freshman, Karen de Boer was sometimes inconsiderate to her hallmate, Pam. So when Karen missed the bus to her choir performance, she was surprised — and moved — when Pam came to her rescue.
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Her son had a meltdown in public. A stranger responded with understanding
In 2016, Tulika Prasad was at the grocery store checkout line with her seven-year-old son, who is non-verbal and autistic. A woman understood what was going on when Prasad's son had an outburst.
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'That was masterful': How a stranger's words made Vivian Curren feel like a good mom
After Vivian Curren's young son threw sand on another child at a park, she assumed she was about to be judged for poor parenting. Instead, a stranger's response made Curren feel like a good mom.
