Last Sunday, I took a day trip to Portland, Maine and had a list of all the things I wanted to do and the places I wanted to see in my one day there. The first stop was a place for breakfast. As soon as we parked and got out of the car to walk the block back to the restaurant a man walked by us alone. He appeared to possibly be down on his luck. I looked right at him and smiled and said good morning. He smiled back and after we passed each other he turned around and yelled back to me, "Mam, thank you for saying that." He had the most genuine smile and I could tell that the simple act of saying hello had made his day and in turn he had made mine.
Just one day later, I was at two blocks from the finish line of the Boston Marathon when I heard the bombs go off and witnessed people running in fear. The terrorist act was followed by so many acts of kindness with strangers helping strangers and the city coming together at a terribly sad time. I saw comfort dogs walking the city and restaurants opening their doors to help people evacuated from their homes. Most amazing of all were the first responders who ran toward the danger and saved so many lives.
The kindnesses of strangers over this past week should make all of Boston and all of America so proud.
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