Laura Kwerel
Stories
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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.
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A young boy safely returned to his family after getting lost at the NYC Marathon
After Nancy Willis finished the New York City Marathon, she went to greet her family, only to discover that her 8-year-old son was missing. After a frantic search, a woman appeared with the boy.
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When Eleanor Heginbotham's car broke down on New Year's Eve, a group of strangers jumped in
Eleanor Heginbotham was at the post office on New Year's Eve 2022 when her car wouldn't start. For 40 minutes, a group of strangers came to her aid, including someone who would later become a friend.
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After an Alzheimer's diagnosis, a new job gave a father 'dignity' and 'purpose'
When Paul Cotter's father began to show signs of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, he lost job after job. Then, a small local company offered him a role that helped rebuild his sense of purpose.
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'Most people are good': How a stranger's words became a family mantra
On a flight home, Caitlin Shetterly told the man next to her that after 9/11, flying made her nervous. Then the man told her something she'll never forget: "Most people are good."
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When her young son was hit by a pickup truck, a stranger rushed to help
Melissa Barbanell's 7-year-old son was severely injured after being hit by a pickup truck. A stranger, who turned out to be a nurse, let Barbanell know he was going to be OK.
