44 Comments
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Kelly Thompson TNWWY's avatar

Beautiful

Kaitlyn!

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Holly Starley's avatar

It really is a beautiful story, right?!

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Kelly Thompson TNWWY's avatar

I loved the Thai laundry proprietress! And the sweetness of this.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you, Kelly!

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Is there a better way to begin my day than with a heartwarming story of kindness - I think not! Thank you Ruby and Kaitlyn for sharing this with us, my Wednesday has begun with a smile! 💛

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yasss! Right about now, anytime something we put out can help people's days start with a smile feels like a whopping success. We need joy wherever we can find it these days.

Thank you, Kaitlyn, for helping one of my favorite contemporary writers here start here Wednesday off right.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

I'm so happy it brought a smile to your face, Susie!

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Michael Edward's avatar

A beautiful story, with equally beautiful gestures. It’s these little things that really mean so much :)

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! They make the world a better place for everyone.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Indeed :)

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you, Michael! They really do mean so much.

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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Pay it forward and be immortalized in words (among many other heart-healthy benefits... ;) Great story!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yass! To immortalization (which I almost just spelled wrong and then made fun of spellcheck for) and to heart health and to great stories and to paying it forward!

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you, Mr. Troy!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

The kindness of ‘strangers. ( but they aren’t).

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Holly Starley's avatar

♥️♥️♥️

No one really is ;)

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

We're all in it together 🫶

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Holly Starley's avatar

Truth!!!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Yes we are.

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

So dear. Acts of kindness truly make this world beautiful.

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Holly Starley's avatar

It's wonderful how they can turn everything around.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

They sure do, Kimberly.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Yes, I love this story as much as you do Holly! Kaitlyn, I appreciate you sharing this story so that Waen's kindness ripples out into the world as we read it. It was extra poignant for me as my husband and son just arrived in Thailand yesterday for their first time.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Oh, wonderful, Donna! I think this story must spell a wonderful experiment for your loves during their time in Thailand.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

I'd love to hear about their experience when they return!

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

How exciting that your husband and son just arrived here, Donna! Timely indeed. I hope they also get to experience the special kindness of Thai people that I've been so blessed to be surrounded by for these past 9 years. If they come to the north, please let me know—I'd love to show them around.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Also, Kaitlyn, if I ever make it to Thailand--which I would LOVE to do--and you're still there, I will be hitting you up on that offer.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

PLEASE DO! I love when friends come to visit!!

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Holly Starley's avatar

♥️♥️♥️

Substack connects!! Or well, kindness connects.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

You are so sweet, thank you for this kind offer! 💕

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Touching and uplifting, Kaitlyn. My guess is you would have done the same. I can't help but wonder how we all seem to come to the conclusion that generosity is so precious that we can't offer it freely, or that there is such a thing as someone being "too kind." Very pleased to be reminded of the Waens of the world (and her husband). Thank you for sharing!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! It's one of those things that actually perpetuates--generosity I mean. It's like exercise. We think it's going to be draining and take time, but a regular practice of moving the body fills us with energy and clarifies focus, so we have more to give. I think generosity and kindness operate in the same way.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

I wholeheartedly agree with this! And then it just keeps getting easier to flex that kindness muscle out of habit as we continue to practice using it.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth—I think you're right in saying I would've done the same. I've seen so many kind people on the road and it inspires me to be more open to giving when I can.

I like the point you make in asking "how we all seem to come to the conclusion that generosity is so precious that we can't offer it freely." The more I keep moving through life, the more I realize the preciousness of our generosity only shines when we share it and offer it up.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Or what Kaitlyn says! I love this way of seeing it. Generosity shines.

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Sophie S.'s avatar

Two of my fave writers combined, what a lovely treat 😁 that is a beautiful act of kindness of those people, it's good to be reminded there are still kind people out there. Love this idea Holly of sharing stories of kindness ❤️

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, thank you, Sophie! What a delight to find connections like this. (Lemme know if you ever want to submit a story for the collection.) I do so enjoy collecting and sharing them and working with other writers.

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Sophie S.'s avatar

I probably do have a story for you - but want to give it some thought and time to give you something of good quality and currently a little busy with going back to work after a long holiday.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

The connections are so exciting 🥹 Sophie, I'd love to read a story if you have one to spare!

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Eeeeek I'm beaming, Sophie! Thank you for this.

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Holly Starley's avatar

♥️

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Karli Petrovic's avatar

This was a beautiful post. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Karli! I thoroughly appreciate you reading and commenting. ♥️♥️♥️

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you, Karli! I appreciate your kind words.

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