The kindness of strangers

I wrote a post many, many months ago challenging those who say the lovely, always productive phrase “people suck.” You can find it Here.

I’ve always hated that expression. I believe, I want to and have to, that most people strive to be the best person they can be. I also believe that the best way to reveal character is not in the year of your car, the size of your watch, how much you have in the bank or how many Instagram followers you have but instead by your deeds towards others.

I’m less interested in whether you have stood with the great. I want to know if you’ve sat with the broken.

I received a call from a Masonic Brother last week. He was checking in to see how I was feeling. I told him the truth. Virtually sofa-ridden, fatigued and in need of dialysis. He appreciated the update. We talked for a while and he then excused himself because he had something to do. I put down the phone, put my head back and settled in for the ninth nap of the day (I may be exaggerating a bit). Several minutes later my phone starting blowing up with FB notifications. I took a look.

He had excused himself to compose FB posts on every MA FB page related to Masonry regarding my condition and my need for another donor. It was overwhelming.

The messages began to pour in. Due to my brother’s gesture I have six, yes six people who have asked to be tested in order to donate a kidney to me. 4 of them I have never met or even heard their name before.
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I am humbled, excited, honored and blessed by this outpouring of support. It has given me something that I have not experienced, nor expected to, for over a year. What is that you ask?

Hope, I now have hope.

If I ever have the privilege of speaking to any of you, please don’t ever tell me that people suck. I’m not the guy who will buy into that mentality. The good ones are out there, maybe you have to look a little harder. Just remember…

If you can’t find one, become one.

22 thoughts on “The kindness of strangers”

  1. I didn’t even know you were searching for a new donor…well, I haven’t been around much so, there’s that.
    I am so friggin’ happy for you!! I saw the post with the med equipment and I’m going to read that next. 🙂

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  3. This is the best thing I’ve read in a while. Not just the news but the perspective on humanity. I’m a big believer in the good humanity can do, for one another, for all the creatures of earth, and for the earth itself, despite our constant bickering, pettiness, or egoism. I’ve always hated the term “people suck” or its related maxim “I hate people.” Some of the most outgoing folks I know will iterate the latter phrase incessantly.

    I don’t hate people, I always say. I love people. People don’t suck.

    (Generally speaking 😉 )

    “…character is not in the year of your car, the size of your watch, how much you have in the bank or how many Instagram followers you have…”

    I pound the podium on that one, too. Character. In politics and life, character is the attribute I seek most.

    And then to end with hope, and a great buildup to it. Just spectacular, Bill, and spectacular news. Good luck going forth. The kindness of strangers can take us all far!

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  9. You have put something into words that is in my heart: “I’m less interested in whether you have stood with the great. I want to know if you’ve sat with the broken.”

    Billy, to read this has me so excited for you and your future.

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