Commentor Twistie posted a beautiful comment in response to my Small Things & Great Love post that I think deserves it’s own post:
Sometimes what is a small act of consideration to you is a huge act of kindness.
When I was thirteen, a girl at school tried to choke me with my own scarf during a recess. It was a terrifying experience. As soon as the attack was over, I went straight to the teacher who was supposed to be monitoring the quad and reported the incident. I was already on the verge of hysteria, but I guess she decided that since I was able to get to her under my own power (or maybe because I ‘asked’ for the attack by wearing a scarf in the first place) clearly the incident was of no consequence. She did nothing at all.
So…I was violently attacked at a time when I was minding my own business, the attacker got away without so much as a reminder that it’s not nice to try to choke people, and the person who was supposed to be keeping me safe couldn’t figure out what the big deal was when someone had cut off my ability to breathe with malice aforethought. Goodbye verge of hysteria, hello real thing.
A friend was trying to comfort me. She wasn’t the best at dealing with strong emotions, and was utterly powerless to do me any practical good, so we both thought. Then she did a little thing; she offered me her Coke.
I don’t even like colas, I never have. But she offered me kindness in a moment when I needed it more than I could ever have said. Taking that drink was taking her love. To this day, I have never tasted anything as good.
So the next time you think what you have to offer is too little, I hope you’ll remember that your kindness is no small thing. When you play with those kittens, you’re giving them your heart. When you smile walking down the street, you never know who of the people you’re passing may need that simple act of grace.
Sometimes the tiny gestures we make are vital to another.
Small things done with love can be the things that move mountains.
Twistie, you are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story.
–AngryGrayRainbows
Angry Gray Rainbows 
That really is beautiful. Thanks for that, both of you.
That is wonderful!
I’m reminded of when I was in grade school, maybe third grade. I was wearing a skirt with a zipper up the back. The zipper must have crept down while I was sitting at my desk, and either there wasn’t a hook and eye above the zipper, or I hadn’t fastened it.
I got up to stand in front of the class to give a presentation of some kind, and my skirt fell to the floor.
As I stood there, dumbfounded, the class laughing, Toni, my classmate, got up, came over to me and pulled up my skirt.
I’ve thought for years about the presence of mind it took for another little kid to come to my aid like that. She didn’t ask permission to get up, and you know that that would have been the expectation at the time. She saw what needed to be done and did it.
I wish I remembered her last name, so I could thank her for that small kindness that I’ve remembered for so long.
That was so beautiful. This summer has been a difficult time for me, and so many of my friends have done some beautiful acts of kindness for me (just last week, a friend of mine gave me $100). I’ve thanked them, but I wish there was a better way to let them know how much thier actions mean to me.
I am quite lucky that my friends believe in gift-giving on a frequent basis. In Asatru, we believe in “gift for a gift”. In pre-Christian Germanic society, there was no “charity” – gifts were exchanged, and no gift was given in exchange for nothing. If, perchance, you had nothing to give, you could give loyalty, service, protection, companionship, etc.
It is thought in Asatru that the Havamal is the words of Odin. Not to be taken literally – they were definitely written by man – but there is wisdom in the Havamal that just glows. This Icelandic poem (or collection of poems) is an awesome read.
An excerpt:
If you find a friend You fully trust
And wish for his good-will,
Exchange thoughts, exchange gifts,
Go often to his house.
– Havamal, stanza 44
(Poetic Edda)
But the Havamal also says that gifts can be small things, even simple hospitality and company:
Not great things needs give to a man:
bringest thanks often a little thing;
With half a loaf and a half-drained cup
I won me oft worthy friend.
– Havamal, stanza 52
So, in the instance of stanza 52, two men share a meal. One man pays for it (the food is his) yet, they are considered “even” because the other man gave his company and conversation in return for the food and drink.
Okay, I guess I’ll get to my point.
This is the wonderful thing about gifts of kindness. Gifts of kindness are never forgotten. They are exchanged, and they have a tendency to multiply. 🙂