Community

Being Neighborly | Small acts of kindness during a hectic day

Being Neighborly is a monthly newsletter highlighting people doing good things in our community.

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Community stories are made possible in part by Peninsula Light Co, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.

We want this column to showcase how someone in the community — a stranger, neighbor, teacher, classmate, anyone — has helped someone else. It could be a small act of kindness or a big one: Has someone tracked you down when you’ve lost your wallet? Did someone lead you to a resource that made your life easier? Were you encouraged by a stranger while having a tough day? Send your submissions for the Being Neighborly column to [email protected]. And click here to receive Being Neighborly early as a newsletter.

It was a typical day out with a toddler that turned into an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for Wendy Walsh.

Walsh had some errands to run, and stopped off at the Gig Harbor Post Office to mail something. She had her 3-year-old grandson along with her, and upon entering the post office, he was intrigued with the rack of greeting cards. Walsh said that he was eager to help, explore, and as toddlers do, move.

While she was standing in line, the child was looking at the cards, searching for one with an octopus on it. Walsh said he wanted to buy another card like the one he bought for his mother’s birthday, and she was trying to manage.

“I was trying to take care of business, but keep an eye on him as well,” she said.

That’s when Walsh and her grandson were showered with several acts of kindness.

Wendy Walsh’s grandson excitedly plays with the toys and Legos that were given to him by a gentleman when they were running errands in Gig Harbor. Photo courtesy of Wendy Walsh

First, a postal employee offered her grandson a Hot Wheels car to play with.

“My grandson was so excited,” she said. “He kept showing everyone the car.”

Another employee handed them a coloring sheet to color, bring back and hang on the cork board to display, she said.

But it was when they exited the building that an anonymous gentleman, another postal customer who had been inside, asked Walsh if her grandson would like a bin of Legos and other toys he was preparing to donate to a thrift shop. And that’s the person that Walsh said she wanted to nominate for the Being Neighborly column. She didn’t catch his name, and in the flurry of getting the toys she said that she wasn’t satisfied with her expression of thanks to him.

“I can’t tell you how excited my grandson was,” Walsh said. “The kind man even loaded the heavy bins into my trunk for me.”

Walsh and her grandson played with the Legos that afternoon, and continue to enjoy them. She said this gift is one that they will enjoy for years to come. It’s also a gesture that she said has made an impact, and she hopes that her grandson will pay forward one day.

“We’ve been playing with them for the last two days with such interest, and experimentation,” she said.

The thoughtful kindness of a stranger had Walsh struggling for words deep enough to show her appreciation.

“While I profusely thanked the gentleman, I felt like I lacked the ability to properly communicate our gratitude,” Walsh said. “I know this will be a lesson that my grandson will learn from his example, and forward one day.”

Walsh said she hopes to see her grandson pass the Legos on to another small child when he outgrows them, and continue an example set by the kind gentleman.

“I’m feeling so blessed, and grateful,” she said.