Ireland

Ireland

Friday, April 25, 2014

Random Act of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness. 
There's nothing like it. Have you ever experienced a random act of kindness? Have you been the  recipient of a random act. I was today. On the boat of all places.

For those of you who follow this humble little blog you know that our tug tows an oil barge. On that oil barge are 3 "tanker man." They live on the barge for the same 3 weeks we live on the tug. We interact with them frequently. One of those tanker man is named Stan. Let me just say this, Stan is ONE BIG DUDE. If he chose to, he could actually break me in two. In fact, recently when we were getting off the boat to go home last hitch, we had to take a launch to get to shore. We were anchored, and this smller boat pulls up alongside our tug and we are to jump from our tug to this launch boat. There was a bit of a swell so the little boat was moving around up and down, as we each timed our jump onto the launch.
I was one of the last guys to get off the tug. Stan was already on the launch. As I prepared to jump, Stan just reached over, grabbed me by my life vest, and lifted me from the tug to the launch with the ease of a mother picking up her 2 year old. He picked me up, held me in the air and then turned around and gently set me down. I thought I was participating in a pairs ice dancing competition. 
We would have scored a 10.

Anyway, back to the random act of kindness thing. 
I always have my camera with me on the boat, and I often take pictures of the guys working and then send the photos to them via email. Stan is one of the guys I send photos to.

When I came on the boat last wednesday, Stan told me he had something for me. The next day he gave me this.

 A beautiful 24-105 mm / 1:4 zoom lens.........coffee cup.


And I love it I tell you. He told me he and his wife were out shopping when he came across this lens coffee cup, and said to his wife, "I should get this for the chief." She told him he should. So he did.
Just a random act of kindness from Stan for no apparent reason.

Nice guy.

Have you performed a random act of kindness lately?

7 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Wow! That is some coffee cup and some story! Love it!!!! Love that Stan picked you up like a (I was gonna say flea off a dog but then decided I don't know you that well yet) so I will say an apple off a tree.

I know this is kind of a goofy- random act of kindness-but the other day going through Starbucks I was NINETEEN in line where the person ahead had paid for the one behind. There were only two cars behind me so I paid for the next guy and hoped he did the same for the car behind him. It really made my day-both sides of it- getting the coffee AND giving a free one in return.

Hope you have a great weekend- Diana

Susie said...

Mark, I laughed just seeing in my mind how the BIG guy picked you up.I always tell those big guys,"Hey if a fight breaks out, remember you are on my side." LOL. That is a great cup for you. It's nice that you share your photos with you pals too. Blessings, stay safe, xoxo,Susie

Formerly known as Frau said...

Wow....how cool is that! I love when that happens! I try to do random acts of kindness all the time. Whenever the moment arises!

Jerral Miles said...

Definitely picked up my day to get acquainted with your friend Stan. Nice guy!

Joey said...

That is great! But I can't get that pic out of my mind. Stan picking you up like a 2 year old. REALLY???? Bahahahahahahaha!!! I can just see your face...

Busy Bee Suz said...

How great is it to be surrounded by thoughful people? Very.
I loved visualizing the icecapades between the two of you....so funny.
I honestly perform random acts of kindness daily by not shanking my loved ones. HA ha. Kidding. I think that I'm a thoughful/kind/caring person (not to sound braggy) and I try to spread that kindness where ever I go.
I'm happy to say that my girls have already picked up on this as well and for that I'm proud.

sharon oler said...

Applause!