I witnessed a big kindness today.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (57709)
February 21, 2026 11:22pm CST
I didn't have any errands to run or places I had to be today, with one exception and that was the pharmacy. It was actually a prescription for myself, and not the son--shocker, right? But I went, it's very close by. As usual, it was busy.
Once, when I was picking up a medication, an elderly man just out of the hospital didn't have enough money to pay his co-pay. He was shaky and looked very ill. He only lacked about $5, I scrambled around and found enough cash in my purse to pay it for him. I could tell he really did need the medication. He was very weak...and so nice. I think I wrote about it at the time, not sure. But I would like to think if I were in such a fix, someone, somehow would help.
Today, same thing, different day. An elderly lady two spots ahead of me, her co-pay for a medication was more than she had, and had gone up in price from the last time she paid for it. She didn't have enough, and simply said ''Thank you for your time'' and moved out of line. The fellow in front of me told her to wait just a minute. He paid for it, even though she protested it was just way too much--($55). I was so happy for her, and it was so nice of him to do that for her. He walked with her out to her car, and came back in a few minutes. On my way out, I heard him ask a worker why there isn't some type of ''fund'' that people could at least donate loose change to, to help others pay for their medication co-pays when they couldn't. Of course, there are programs like GoodRX, and that helps, but if you don't have anything at all, I can see that it wouldn't be enough, either.
Anyway, it does my heart so much good to witness acts of kindness. Our world is nuts, bad things happen--but there are still good people out there, which is so good to see.
Have you witnessed any good acts of kindness lately?
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23 people like this
21 responses
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
It truly was simply so good of him. She tried to thank him and he just told her he did it because he wanted to. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (133679)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Feb
I am glad he could do that for her. It makes me wonder where the savings are that we keep hearing Rump talk about
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
I wasn't close enough to hear her conversation with the pharmacy clerk, but I do know CVS is very good to suggest Goodrx to everyone who has a big co-pay, or basically any co-pay at all.
Acts of kindness, as you know for sure, don't have to cost money, either. It can be something as small as a smile or a kind word or just a sincere compliment. I just wish everyone could make more of an effort, be it big or small, to just practice acts of kindness in any form. It always does my heart good to see or hear of them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
It does the heart good to see random acts of kindness, big or small, I love seeing them!
1 person likes this
@pahak627 (5347)
• Philippines
24 Feb
@MarieCoyle Same here. We have the same outlook. Is this the right term? Outlook?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (499744)
• Italy
23 Feb
@MarieCoyle - Loose change may add up a lot. Everywhere in France there were small boxes where to drop loose change to help those in need.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
Even if there was an indiscreet little sign at the cash register...saying if you would like to donate to those who can't afford their medicines, maybe that could help someone. Or have a donation box locked and bolted down and available to donate to. Even loose change can add up, and could make the difference between someone having needed medicine, or having to do without it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
24 Feb
@LadyDuck
That's a good idea, too. We have a lot of places a person can help with--donating foods to the food pantries, give to the homeless shelters, there is a local place run by several churches that collect clothing and household items, too. A person can usually find some way to help without it costing anything or at least, not much.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
26 Feb
@MarieCoyle Goodness and kindness are virtues that are contagious.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
26 Feb
@Nakitakona
You are right. Unfortunately, I've seen it go the other way--someone does or says something nasty or bad, and then others join in. We need to celebrate the good things people do more than we do, it seems often that the bad things are the ones that make the news.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
Yes, it does. And once a person has been treated with kindness and respect by a stranger, they often pay it forward when they can, which of course starts a chain of kindness.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188410)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Feb
I'm so glad to hear stories like this. Play it forward and all that.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188410)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Feb
@MarieCoyle .......Yes, they certainly are.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
And kindnesses, whether large or small, are so important.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96780)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Feb
That is wonderful when people help others in time of need,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
It does the heart good to see or do a kindness, no matter how big or small.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254618)
• United States
22 Feb
That was very thoughtful of you.
In addition, that was extremely kind of that man to pay for her meds and to walk her out to her car.
Having a jar in the pharmacy is a great idea. As good as some people are, some can’t be trusted.
Hubs is the one who shows many acts of kindness. I usually don’t have my wallet with me when we go out. My favorite was when he paid for the dinner of American university students in Paris.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254618)
• United States
22 Feb
@MarieCoyle Those I do all the time. It’s so inborn, that I never think of it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
That's nice that your husband does acts of kindness. I am sure they are much appreciated. But you can do acts of kindness with out money--open a door for someone, a smile, a compliment...you may well might totally make someone's day!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
@DianneN
Due to health issues, I sometimes struggle with heavy doors to open. I truly appreciate it when someone opens the door for me, and I always tell them thank you.
Yes, some of them are inborn and habit. Which is good, of course!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
11 Mar
It really touched my heart, him helping her out. A good guy.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (219952)
• United States
22 Feb
That was a wonderful act of kindness from you and the gentleman. I don't get out much; so I haven't seen anything like that.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
I love it when I see a kindness, it really does make for a happy moment! Thanks, Linda.
1 person likes this
@ocard010101 (95)
•
23 Feb
That was such a touching moment, and it’s reassuring to see that simple acts of kindness from strangers can still make such a big difference in someone’s life.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
I am very sure the lady he helped really did need that medicine, it truly was a wonderful gesture on his part.
@GardenGerty (168698)
• United States
22 Feb
For her that was huge. Doing good blesses the receiver, the giver and even you, the observer.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
It gives a person hope to observe, and you are correct, everyone benefits from any kindness at all. And I am sure it was a big deal for her. She appeared to be a quiet woman who just sort of hung her head when she said the ''thank you for your time.'' and started to leave. Defeated...but then the angel showed up.
@snowy22315 (206717)
• United States
22 Feb
Glad you helped, I accidentally deleted my reply which I think you saw.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
It's ok, I understand. I accidently deleted 2 notifications yesterday, and I feel bad about it, because I cannot remember who had posted where. But things happen, no worries!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85545)
• United States
22 Feb
People never care how much you know until they know how much you care! What a blessing that was!!!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
I agree, it was a true blessing for the lady. And he handled it with such grace, not being lordly over it, just matter-of-fact. He did not want extra attention for what he did, I could tell. He simply wanted to help her.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54699)
• United States
22 Feb
It is heart warming to hear of these kind acts.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
Marie, it truly is! Like a warm fuzzy or a good hug. I love witnessing acts of kindness.
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
22 Feb
And he was so quiet and such a gentleman about it. I was impressed, and he walked her to her car. I wondered if he wanted to make sure she was ok, and didn't want to embarrass her, but as I said he did come back inside in a very short time.
He was her angel for the day.
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
22 Feb
That was amazing for him to do that. People are still good in so many ways.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57709)
•
23 Feb
Yes,t there are good people out there,and it’s truly special to see.
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