NICE Testimonial: An Empathetic Ear

Fellow designer and blogger, Stephanie, emailed me yesterday with a NICE Testimonial. Just a warning to my readers, you may want to have your hanky ready.

On Monday August 25, at 8:30am, my mother received a phone call that her mother, my grandmother, had passed away in the hospital. My grandmother got sick on Sunday, and died unexpectedly on Monday morning. Over the phone, the doctor asked if my mother would come to the hospital to speak to the medial examiner.

Before heading there, my mother stop by a coffee shop on the way. She figured she would get a caffeine boost, since it would be a rather long day preparing funeral arrangements. Unfortunately, my mom was so overcome with grief, she broke down crying in the car right in front of the coffee shop. A lady inside noticed this. She bought my mother a latte, and took it to her car. She tapped on the window and said, “I saw that you were upset. I wasn’t sure if today was your child’s first day at school or something – but I wanted you to have this. You don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to – but I thought it would cheer you up." My mother thanked her for her generosity and kind words and explained that my grandmother had just passed away that morning. The lady actually hugged my mom and cried with her! She had just recently lost a family member as well, and offered a few words of comfort.

My mother told me that the woman’s kindness that day was the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for her, and that morning couldn’t have been better timing.

First of all, I want to send my condolences to Stephanie and her family for their loss. I know that losing my grandmother was a difficult time for me. So Stephanie, you're in my thoughts. Secondly, I hope with my heart that the world is full of people like the woman that Stephanie's mother encountered. She saw someone upset in their car and felt the urge to brighten their day. That is phenomenal.

In the book I'm reading, The Power of Kindness, I recently read the chapter on the importance of empathy. Ferrucci mentions how empathy isn't only good for the recipient, but also for the giver because participating in others' lives makes us happier and healthier, and those who are more capable of empathy live more satisfying lives. Something to think about.

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!