Both of my parents have heart conditions that will require surgery very soon. We have dealt with dozens of doctors, emergency room staff, and nurses over the last year that have been phenomenal. Nothing has been as helpful as the staff at Hotel Dieu who were there for us the day my mother had her angiogram.
Honestly, I have been in a panic about everything for months, since I found out about the extent of both of their health issues. In mid-December my mother had an angiogram at Hotel Dieu hospital, where I was by her bedside most of the day with my father, and with my sister between her busy work obligations. While every doctor, nurse, and member of the hospital staff was beyond helpful throughout the day (especially those that brought her the egg salad sandwich she craved all day), no one did more to put my mind at ease than her nurse in immediate recovery than Nurse Steve.
Not only did he do his job as a nurse in training in a new ward, he went above and beyond to calm us down. When my mother saw the tattoo sleeves he had, he patiently explained the significance of each part of the tattoo. He talked about his family, his life, his time adjusting to a new position in a new hospital, anything at all to keep our minds off of anything thy was troubling us about the months of surgery and recovery ahead. Mum spent days talking about how great he was with her, and told our family all about much he did to help her recover that day.
So a giant shout out to the staff at Hotel Dieu hospital, the doctors and nurses staffing the angiogram that day, and especially to Steve, who helped put my mind at ease about everything coming up for my family in the upcoming months.

I was spotted a few weeks ago as a waitress with a contagious smile who helped another mom remember all she had to be happy about. I received an overwhelming outpour of compliments, kindness, recognition, and even a free family photoshoot from another stranger! That mom has no idea how that acknowledgement, that short story published changed my perspective and value of myself. Little did she know that I was struggling with what I should be doing with my life. My bestie always validated my choice to stay at home with kids and work part time at BP, even when I was occasionally embarrassed. During our last chat, I promised her that I would make a difference in the world and to be more than just a waitress. Being spotted made me realize that one person can make a difference. I did it for someone. Now I need to share a story of a person who made a difference to me.
It was a snowy cold Wednesday with 2 sick kids. My poor munchkin continued to throw up most of the way to central mall in the shopping bag I handed her while her baby brother was cranky as he was forced to skip nap & get trapped in a seat for as long as this took. After 2.5 hrs waiting in clinic to see the Dr. we got our diagnosis, and were headed towards METRO within the plaza to grab a couple of essentials to get through the night.
I was pushing my busy & loud baby boy in the stroller with my left hand while pulling a metro cart behind me with my sick & weak 4 year old daughter laying in the cart with my right. I had limited time and a short list to complete. Manoeuvering the aisles was so much harder than I anticipated. I would wheel the kids to area out of the way but in view & talking to them while I grabbed couple items at a time, rush back to cart and wheel to the next spot. I was doing the best I could knowing I looked a little crazy & trying to keep my patience and stay calm. This was just a moment in time. People couldn't help but notice us & our struggle, they'd smile & nod as we passed by them.
I made it to the produce section, half the list complete, and then I SPOTTED her. We had made eye contact 2 aisles back, I felt her sympathy & compassion. She smiled and gently said hello to me & engaged my kids in a friendly tone. She continued I remember those days, I have been there, my kids are a bit older now. May I help you and your family? Her own cart was gone, her hands and her time were offered to assist me. I didn't know what to say I did need help clearly but I it is often hard to accept and receive help. My instinct was to say oh thanks we're all good here I got this. Karen saw right through me; she told me she had been helped in the past and wanted to pay it forward.
With and extra set of hands, & eyes, we effortlessly strolled to the baby aisle. Karen interacted with my kids while I grabbed the fever medicine, formula, baby food pouches , Gatorade etc. I paused while putting those items in the cart to tell her how much I appreciated her kindness.
At the checkout she stayed with us as we collectively packed bags and got kids ready for the car. I hugged her tight again and said thank you. She asked where my car was parked, I explained. She proceeded to pushed the cart next to me & the stroller towards that door. When we got there she stayed with the kids so I could clean off my van & pull it right up to the door. One at a time I picked up the kids, them into their respective car seats, gave my munchkin her Tylenol and Gatorade, while Karen put the groceries and my stroller in the trunk.
It was simple but selfless. By the time I was ready to head for home, it all hit me. My heart swelled, I took a deep breathe, and truly SPOTTED my angel on earth and said, THANK YOU. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her so tight whiserping thank you through my tears of appreciation. I have no idea how I would have done it without her. She said it felt just as good to help someone as to be helped. I promised her that I would pay it forward as she did. She hugged me tight right back.
Last year with the passing of my best friend I learned some invaluable lessons about giving, receiving love and gratitude. I knew this was a magic moment, I knew Allie was with us, as she has been everyday somehow and in some way. We ALL have something to offer; ourselves, our time. By giving we receive, I am blessed to have been given happiness and received compassion.
Karen Thank you, you made a difference to me! I will NEVER forget this kindness.

While working at my desk this afternoon, I looked out the window and noticed a red pick-up truck pull over to the side of the road and a man get out of the truck. This man then began to walk towards Ouellette Ave. Towards the corner, I noticed that there was an elderly man in a wheelchair that had become stuck in the snow. (the sidewalks have not been cleared yet) The man from the truck chatted with him for a moment and then proceeded to push the man in his wheelchair up the street to the bus stop. I was simply amazed at this true act of kindness. Bravo red pick-up driver, Bravo!

This post is neither good nor bad really. I also want to say right off that I am not posting this for a pat on the back or to get attention, but I dont know how else to reach you. To the mom of the 15 year old boy and maybe 20 year old daughter that were stranded on Provincial the other day, you raised your kids well. I know that you were mad at your son for getting into a vehicle with a stranger, I could hear you yelling at him over the phone.

See what you may not have realized is that both of your kids were stressed. Stranded at the intersection in rush hour traffic for a good 5-7 minutes before I got to them. Trucks nearly hitting them, people laying on the horn instead of stopping to help. There they were, out of gas with no help. I being a mom of 3, didn't hesitate. See, they had no cash, just debit and so when your daughter offered to let me take her debit card I declined. She really shouldn't offer it to people even in an emergency. So, I asked if her brother could come with me , since she was the licenced driver and should stay with the car in case the police showed up.
He was reluctant, but I assume figured I was their only option.
I would have gone and gotten the gas myself but I was literally down to just enough gas money to get through until pay day. So, I had him go with me to pay. He didn't end up paying but that isn't the point. I took a risk and God blessed me for it.
The point is, that your kids are very responsible . They were cautious. They chose someone with an 8 year old daughter with them instead of someone alone. They trusted in humanity and that is huge. They did their best to stay calm in a very dangerous situation and I know would have made you proud had you been there. They are now equipped with a Gas can in case of emergency and I pray that they are well. I didn't mean to startle them when I showed up at the gas station after I picked up my husband, but as a mom I wanted to ensure they got there safely as the gas can only held $5.00 worth of gas and that does not get you far when you have completely run out of fuel.
Thank you for raising well mannered, good kids. You will always worry for them, but they did good momma.

Yesterday morning around 10:30 I pulled up to what seemed to be an accident and a backup of cars, right on highway 3 and road 8. There was a silver/ grey jeep in the middle of the 2 lanes and two cars on each side of him stopped. There were 2 gentlemen that ran to the car. One was on the phone and the other was banging on the driver side window. I was about 4 cars behind so I pulled up on the side and got out to see if I could help. They gave me a signal that the guy was unconscious or non-responsive at the very least. I think he was having a heart attack, there was no accident. In the meantime the one guy had to break the back window to unlock the front door to attend to the man lying unconscious in the front seat. There was no one else in the car. We then pushed the car to the side of the road to get him out of danger from oncoming traffic. I tried directing traffic to move through in the meantime to avoid any pile up. The other two began CPR I jumped in because the one was on the phone with EMS and I told him I was trained so he was happy to let me take over. The guy remained in his seat I jumped in the passenger side and got on the chest right away. About 3 to 4 rounds of chest compressions while the other guy continued with breaths. Before I knew it paramedics were there and took over. It all happened so fast cops took our info and let us go as we were freezing and there was nothing else we could do. I was up all night wondering what had happened to this man and praying he was ok. I will reach out to the police this morning in hopes for an update but I m also asking if anyone has heard or read anything else on this gentleman s status. Thank you to everyone who was so caring and helpful in this scary situation.

I was driving west down Wyandotte St. East this morning around 8:20-8:30am. Once I got close to the intersection of Alymer and Wyandotte, cars were backed up quite a bit. Once the traffic cleared in the on-coming lane, I seen the reason for the traffic jam! A man had fallen out of his motorized scooter/ wheelchair onto the road, and the man that was at the front of intersection got out of his car to help this man back into his seat and pick up all his things that were on the road. Sir, whoever you are, I'm so glad to see that there are still some caring people in this world/ city. You have been spotted! :)

My husband and I were returning from Leamington yesterday evening when we stopped at the Petro Canada on Walker rd. (The one further out of the city). I had had minor surgery earlier that day. We stopped for gas. My husband went inside to pay as you do. The young man in front of him was also paying when he noticed that he had acquired a number of petro points (we're assuming that’s what it was). He was quite happy. He turned to my husband and asked him what his total was and my husband told him $35. He then turned to the clerk and stated he would pay for his gas too. My husband was in awe. He was so surprised and said thank you but couldn't express his true gratitude. The man turned and walks out. It happened too fast. When my husband got back into the car he told me what happened. I too was genuinely surprised. This had never happened before. This needed to be documented and this young man needs to know how appreciated his kindness was. We thank this kind stranger with our sincerest thanks. You made our night. You have renewed a little piece of faith in mankind in our minds. We hope you had a great night and continue on with your generous kindness. Now it’s our turn to pay it forward.
Jim & Kelly Carriere

I went to my car after shopping. There was a young man next to me helping his daughter do up his seatbelt before driving off. I waited till he was done and when he turned around to get into the drivers seat he was surprised to see me standing there. He apologized to me for having to wait. I told him it was no problem I wasn't in a hurry. I got into my car and looked to see if he was pulling out and he had his window rolled down and was looking at me. I rolled down my window too to see what he wanted. All he did was smile and extend his hand to my window. In his hand was a beautiful rose. I took it and said thanks. He just drove off smiling.
I thought, wow that doesn't happen every day. I'm still smiling.