Lori Allen: It’s time to celebrate the kindness of friends — and of strangers

I have heard people say that the only news they hear is bad news. It always seemed a bit silly to me. Obviously, the reason it’s news is because something unexpected or surprising happened and typically, it’s bad.

But with the 24-hour bad news cycle, vehement political posts on social media and hateful comments from Internet trolls nearly everywhere, they may be right. Why isn’t anyone talking about the good things that people do?

In a small effort to counter some of the stories in the news lately, I thought in the spirit of Christmas I would share just a small sample of the good things that people do.

I had just received word that I needed to be at the airport in an hour to fly home. My mom was in the hospital in serious condition. I called a friend to tell her that I would be unable to operate the booth we had planned to share at the bazaar the next day.

In less than 20 minutes, she showed up at my door, loaded my products into her car and said she would run my booth the next day. I was completely unable to focus on anything except my brother’s message: “They called a priest for mom.”

Prior to that call I had been working in my pajamas on product prep, but now my suitcase was on my bed and I was throwing random things inside. My mind was racing with thoughts of my mom, work, holiday plans, my flight, our family schedule when my friend broke the silence announcing she was also taking me to the airport. I hadn’t eaten anything yet that day and I wasn’t sure when I would, so I reached for a banana.

“Ha! I know you so well, I packed you some food!” my friend laughed as she held up a tote bag filled with protein bars, a coffee drink, some fruit, lotion and gum. I was in a fog but I know it had only been moments since I had called her. Here she was driving me to the airport with a tote full of food and a gracious offer to sell my product the next day.

As we backed out of the driveway I noticed the fall-themed decorations on the front of the house. Every other home I drove by was already fully decked out for Christmas. For a brief moment I envisioned the homeowners association knocking on my door while I was away to present some sort of citation for incorrect holiday décor. It’s a strange feeling leaving (on a moment’s notice) without knowing when you’ll be back. You worry about silly things, I guess.

I texted a good friend and neighbor to let her know what was happening. It gave me comfort to know that someone near my family knew what was going on. Later I learned that she’d secretly called my husband to ask whether she could come over and put up my Christmas decorations.

She understood that one of the frustrations of being away was feeling like I wasn’t taking care of things at home. The Christmas decorations may have seemed like a frivolous worry, but they represented something bigger.

My brothers were keeping me updated and as I rode to the airport. Mom was in intensive care when the nurses felt that she was worsening. Dad was at her side at the hospital when he had the heart attack. It was surreal to hear he was being transported to Mayo Clinic two hours away from my mom.

After I landed I was advised to go to Rochester first to see my dad. Enter Dr. J. Wells Askew. Under emotionally taxing circumstances Dr. Askew patiently presented the results of some tests and the realities that were facing my dad.

With cautious optimism he translated complex medical terminology and intricate treatment options without ever being condescending or unrealistically optimistic. More tests would be needed and preferred options would be presented. There were no easy fixes or magical cures, but we felt we were in compassionate, knowing hands.

With a team of brilliant health professionals to synchronize, so many tests to interpret and multiple factors that had to be considered, we felt blessed that he was leading this team of caregivers. These incredibly bright individuals devote every day to helping not only patients but their families as well.

My parents are stable now and in some ways better than ever. Since getting back to Kansas City, I’ve reflected on the extra effort of the nurses at my mom’s hospital, the tremendous support from friends, neighbors and colleagues and the random kindness from strangers.

There are so many good and wonderful people in the world; so many thoughtful things people do to help others. Good news stories are everywhere.

Merry Christmas!

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 9:30 AM with the headline "Lori Allen: It’s time to celebrate the kindness of friends — and of strangers."