What's the Kindest Thing Someone Has Done for You During a Hard Time?

A few years ago, we asked you to share with us the kindest thing someone has ever done for you during a hard time. We were overwhelmed by the number of the responses.

We've always said that working on Take Them A Meal  is one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given. It gives us a daily peek into the goodness happening all around us. Your responses to this question made us feel that even more! 

Be sure to take a few minutes to read the personal stories shared below. They’re such a good reminder of how much kindness can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time.

According to our research, it is evident that providing emotional support, or following through with a thoughtful gesture, are particularly meaningful to a lot of  people. Once a friend's emotional needs are cared for, taking them a meal or providing groceries can be such a gift.

Our Favorite Examples of How Friends Were Encouraged by Meals

A dear friend found out that my husband had been diagnosed with ALS when she was on her way out of town. She went out of her way to pick up peppermint ice cream and fudge sauce, a childhood comfort food. With her car packed and family waiting, she brought it to us and just hugged me. -Missy

I was going through a divorce and my house was being painted and in disarray. It completely reflected how I was feeling. Early one morning, my dear friend showed up at my door with a box of donuts. That sweet woman got up early and drove 30 miles across town to the only Krispy Kreme that made my favorite donuts - chocolate covered, custard filled. She said, "All I know is that you're hurting and I can't do anything to take this pain away. But you're not eating and losing too much weight, so I got you the one thing I know you can't resist." That was almost 25 years ago and it's never far from my mind. I try to find other people's "donuts" and do what I can to help them. -Dana

It's been 30 years but it still makes my eyes water. I was living in Utah when my sister was killed in a car accident in Indiana. My first child was five days old. We frantically arranged flights, for doctor's permission to get on the plane, and for someone to take care of our Rottweiler. When we came home a week later, everything that had gone bad in our refrigerator had been replaced, and there was a pot of stew in the crockpot on the counter, along with a loaf of fresh bread. There was also a Post-it note that said simply "you are loved". I cried so hard I destroyed the note. Although organized by my friend, it was a community effort and I was so grateful for that support. -Nancy

When my husband was dying of cancer a dear friend organized a meal schedule with friends, work colleagues and our school community to bring a meal for dinner every evening for our family. I was truly overwhelmed with the generosity of friends and people I didn't even know at the time. -Samantha

Our Favorite “Outside the Box” Gestures

In addition to thinking about how to help with meals, you can see that offers to help with the kids, finances, housework, and driving are kind and supportive. Some of the kindest gestures people remembered didn't fall easily into a category, but nonetheless, are worthy to be mentioned. You never know when someone may need exactly this kind of help.

If you'd like to help a friend by setting up a meal schedule, it's free and easy through our site, Take Them A Meal. We even give you all of the questions you need to ask here.

We'd love to continue to learn how to help our friends in the best ways possible! Let us know the kindest thing someone has done for you during a difficult  time.

Warmly,
Adina