How reassuring it is to know that even in times of stress and uncertainty, many among us have experienced acts of kindness, concern, and love. Perhaps you have been approached by a neighbor who has offered to help with groceries; maybe you have made extra dinners for an acquaintance; maybe your kids are thriving collectively and sharing chores or help each other with schoolwork; maybe you witnessed a kindness among strangers that for some reason has stuck with you. Below is a collection of stories that show the people around us acting as Jesus’ hands and feet, spreading love and compassion.
Loving Your Neighbor Ah, yes. The 9/11 candle.In 2001, Ben and I were living in Wilmette. On the night of September 11th after it got dark, someone placed a lit candle on our sidewalk on the cement square where our walkway and the public sidewalk intersected. I...
Loving Your Neighbor Last week Kenilworth Union was a pop-up site for a wedding! A couple from Northwestern University was supposed to get married last week at the Cook County Judge's office with a big party to follow this summer after graduation. However, that...
Loving Your Neighbor Ann Harvey is thankful her neighbor insisted on a walk in the rain. After their long walk, the neighbor turned home and Ann continued wet and peaceful all they way to Loyola. She noticed on the sidewalk someone had written while the concrete...
Loving Your Neighbor While Sally Campbell was walking her golden retriever, they met a young woman not known to either of them. She stopped to ask did they need anything? Did Sally live alone? Then did she have relatives near? Sally replied that we are alone...
Loving Your Neighbor The Crossgroves have a story to share: When their daughter, Clara, turned 13 this week, she received a video of her friends next door (10 and 5 years old) singing to her, as well as a hand-painted card from a 6 year-old neighbor. Later in the...