Laura Kwerel
Stories
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She couldn't pay it back — so she paid it forward
In the midst of a divorce, Jolena Rothweil asked to borrow some money from a friend. All he asked in return was that she pay it forward, and that act began a chain of kindness.
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She lost her purse — but strangers stepped in to save the day
On a trip to Chicago, Lavonne Schaafsma lost her purse. Two women saw a man rifling through it — and stepped in to help.
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'Where do you want to go?': Six words that helped her start again
When Stacia was 21, she was struggling with severe depression. A stranger's simple question gave her safety during a time she needed it the most. Now, it's an example she's tried to follow ever since.
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She felt abandoned — until a teacher's hug reminded her she wasn't alone
When she was in the sixth grade, Tanya Eby's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Eby in a hug.
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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.
