Tonight, Friday January 15. 2016, my son was playing basketball at the John Atkinson Center on Bernard and his black Windsor coat was either stolen or taken mistakenly. If anyones kids come out with a black coat that doesn't belong to them, please contact me.

I was spotted a few weeks ago as a waitress with a contagious smile who helped another mom remember all she had to be happy about. I received an overwhelming outpour of compliments, kindness, recognition, and even a free family photoshoot from another stranger! That mom has no idea how that acknowledgement, that short story published changed my perspective and value of myself. Little did she know that I was struggling with what I should be doing with my life. My bestie always validated my choice to stay at home with kids and work part time at BP, even when I was occasionally embarrassed. During our last chat, I promised her that I would make a difference in the world and to be more than just a waitress. Being spotted made me realize that one person can make a difference. I did it for someone. Now I need to share a story of a person who made a difference to me.
It was a snowy cold Wednesday with 2 sick kids. My poor munchkin continued to throw up most of the way to central mall in the shopping bag I handed her while her baby brother was cranky as he was forced to skip nap & get trapped in a seat for as long as this took. After 2.5 hrs waiting in clinic to see the Dr. we got our diagnosis, and were headed towards METRO within the plaza to grab a couple of essentials to get through the night.
I was pushing my busy & loud baby boy in the stroller with my left hand while pulling a metro cart behind me with my sick & weak 4 year old daughter laying in the cart with my right. I had limited time and a short list to complete. Manoeuvering the aisles was so much harder than I anticipated. I would wheel the kids to area out of the way but in view & talking to them while I grabbed couple items at a time, rush back to cart and wheel to the next spot. I was doing the best I could knowing I looked a little crazy & trying to keep my patience and stay calm. This was just a moment in time. People couldn't help but notice us & our struggle, they'd smile & nod as we passed by them.
I made it to the produce section, half the list complete, and then I SPOTTED her. We had made eye contact 2 aisles back, I felt her sympathy & compassion. She smiled and gently said hello to me & engaged my kids in a friendly tone. She continued I remember those days, I have been there, my kids are a bit older now. May I help you and your family? Her own cart was gone, her hands and her time were offered to assist me. I didn't know what to say I did need help clearly but I it is often hard to accept and receive help. My instinct was to say oh thanks we're all good here I got this. Karen saw right through me; she told me she had been helped in the past and wanted to pay it forward.
With and extra set of hands, & eyes, we effortlessly strolled to the baby aisle. Karen interacted with my kids while I grabbed the fever medicine, formula, baby food pouches , Gatorade etc. I paused while putting those items in the cart to tell her how much I appreciated her kindness.
At the checkout she stayed with us as we collectively packed bags and got kids ready for the car. I hugged her tight again and said thank you. She asked where my car was parked, I explained. She proceeded to pushed the cart next to me & the stroller towards that door. When we got there she stayed with the kids so I could clean off my van & pull it right up to the door. One at a time I picked up the kids, them into their respective car seats, gave my munchkin her Tylenol and Gatorade, while Karen put the groceries and my stroller in the trunk.
It was simple but selfless. By the time I was ready to head for home, it all hit me. My heart swelled, I took a deep breathe, and truly SPOTTED my angel on earth and said, THANK YOU. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her so tight whiserping thank you through my tears of appreciation. I have no idea how I would have done it without her. She said it felt just as good to help someone as to be helped. I promised her that I would pay it forward as she did. She hugged me tight right back.
Last year with the passing of my best friend I learned some invaluable lessons about giving, receiving love and gratitude. I knew this was a magic moment, I knew Allie was with us, as she has been everyday somehow and in some way. We ALL have something to offer; ourselves, our time. By giving we receive, I am blessed to have been given happiness and received compassion.
Karen Thank you, you made a difference to me! I will NEVER forget this kindness.

I live on the 1200 of tourangeau found a white curly haired large dog with a blue collar and silver chocker chain collar please call 5199740312 if it is your doggy she's been feed and given water and we are keeping her warm address is 1210 tourangeau call as soon as possible please very concerned for this dog to big to let in my house

While working at my desk this afternoon, I looked out the window and noticed a red pick-up truck pull over to the side of the road and a man get out of the truck. This man then began to walk towards Ouellette Ave. Towards the corner, I noticed that there was an elderly man in a wheelchair that had become stuck in the snow. (the sidewalks have not been cleared yet) The man from the truck chatted with him for a moment and then proceeded to push the man in his wheelchair up the street to the bus stop. I was simply amazed at this true act of kindness. Bravo red pick-up driver, Bravo!

LADIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR, be on the look out for this guy. At about 12:05 I was walking from my car parked on Mill to campus, and a truck was coming down the street, stopped right next to me and I looked over and saw the guy staring at me. I kept walking, he stayed exactly where he was, then circled the block and came back, rolled down his window and said something, what I thought was "Hey, come here, come take a ride with me". Shot him a nasty look and kept walking, and because there was a car coming he sped down the street again, and circled, but this time waited at the top of the street for me to get there, because I took a shortcut on the grass between horses, and he waited there until I was no longer in sight once I passed him (at this point I was on Wyandotte and there were people around).
As I was walking down Wyandotte he drove up and down Wyandotte about 4 times until I turned onto sunset where the cars can't go.
Male, mid 30s, was wearing a hat so I couldn't get a hair colour. License plate started with a B, and had a 0 in it, but I can't remember the rest.
I think I saw a post a couple of months ago from a girl who had the same experience.

My mother's cat Rambo is missing from the Lens and Parent area. We are worried that he may have got himself shut in a shed or garage. If you have seen Rambo please call us, we are very worried about him.

This post is neither good nor bad really. I also want to say right off that I am not posting this for a pat on the back or to get attention, but I dont know how else to reach you. To the mom of the 15 year old boy and maybe 20 year old daughter that were stranded on Provincial the other day, you raised your kids well. I know that you were mad at your son for getting into a vehicle with a stranger, I could hear you yelling at him over the phone.

See what you may not have realized is that both of your kids were stressed. Stranded at the intersection in rush hour traffic for a good 5-7 minutes before I got to them. Trucks nearly hitting them, people laying on the horn instead of stopping to help. There they were, out of gas with no help. I being a mom of 3, didn't hesitate. See, they had no cash, just debit and so when your daughter offered to let me take her debit card I declined. She really shouldn't offer it to people even in an emergency. So, I asked if her brother could come with me , since she was the licenced driver and should stay with the car in case the police showed up.
He was reluctant, but I assume figured I was their only option.
I would have gone and gotten the gas myself but I was literally down to just enough gas money to get through until pay day. So, I had him go with me to pay. He didn't end up paying but that isn't the point. I took a risk and God blessed me for it.
The point is, that your kids are very responsible . They were cautious. They chose someone with an 8 year old daughter with them instead of someone alone. They trusted in humanity and that is huge. They did their best to stay calm in a very dangerous situation and I know would have made you proud had you been there. They are now equipped with a Gas can in case of emergency and I pray that they are well. I didn't mean to startle them when I showed up at the gas station after I picked up my husband, but as a mom I wanted to ensure they got there safely as the gas can only held $5.00 worth of gas and that does not get you far when you have completely run out of fuel.
Thank you for raising well mannered, good kids. You will always worry for them, but they did good momma.

Yesterday morning around 10:30 I pulled up to what seemed to be an accident and a backup of cars, right on highway 3 and road 8. There was a silver/ grey jeep in the middle of the 2 lanes and two cars on each side of him stopped. There were 2 gentlemen that ran to the car. One was on the phone and the other was banging on the driver side window. I was about 4 cars behind so I pulled up on the side and got out to see if I could help. They gave me a signal that the guy was unconscious or non-responsive at the very least. I think he was having a heart attack, there was no accident. In the meantime the one guy had to break the back window to unlock the front door to attend to the man lying unconscious in the front seat. There was no one else in the car. We then pushed the car to the side of the road to get him out of danger from oncoming traffic. I tried directing traffic to move through in the meantime to avoid any pile up. The other two began CPR I jumped in because the one was on the phone with EMS and I told him I was trained so he was happy to let me take over. The guy remained in his seat I jumped in the passenger side and got on the chest right away. About 3 to 4 rounds of chest compressions while the other guy continued with breaths. Before I knew it paramedics were there and took over. It all happened so fast cops took our info and let us go as we were freezing and there was nothing else we could do. I was up all night wondering what had happened to this man and praying he was ok. I will reach out to the police this morning in hopes for an update but I m also asking if anyone has heard or read anything else on this gentleman s status. Thank you to everyone who was so caring and helpful in this scary situation.