Your Last Five Dollars

1,791 views | Posted by Joseph J. Mazzella on November 24, 2025

Here is my new story. It is for anyone who has helped or been helped along the way in this life. I hope you enjoy it. God bless you always. It was over 30 years ago. I was a young Dad with a wife and 3 kids at home. I was working at a local saw mill just trying to make ends meet. We had been working most of the day when...

If Money Is All You Have

1,584 views | Posted by Joseph J. Mazzella on December 2, 2025

It was a snowy Saturday in the 1980's. I had just finished carrying in some wood for the inside wood box from our stacks outside and my sneakers were soaked. I sat at the kitchen table in the seat nearest the wood stove hoping to dry them out while I munched on a cheese sandwich for lunch. Behind me I could hear my Mom washing dishes...

My cousin was a real life princess

1,520 views | Posted by A friend on November 29, 2025

...at Disney. She was hired to be a general character actress. Mostly she was Belle, but she also got to be Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, and the rest. Belle was just her favorite. After being there for years, she was starting to have a hard time fitting into her costume. They don't tailor costumes to you. You have to...

First time I’ve gotten a drawing from a kid

1,431 views | Posted by A friend on November 26, 2025

I practice Karate, and while one class is happening I practice in my own section of the school. Often when I practice, one of the students younger sisters likes to watch me. She enjoys the karate atmosphere but is naturally a more shy person (and too young), so she likes to mess with equipment and such and watch me as if she was doing it...

A lovely, unexpected, act of camaraderie made my day

1,420 views | Posted by A friend on November 26, 2025

I was on a 4 hour bus journey and everyone had gotten off for a rest stop, rushing to go and buy overpriced coffee nearby. I was in the front seat and just stood up to stretch whilst waiting…the bus driver and I got talking about how insane the price of a lot of drinks are now - and I mentioned I regretted not bringing my...

Thank you to the kind strangers who stopped in the pouring rain

1,392 views | Posted by A friend on December 3, 2025

Thank you to the kind strangers who stopped in the pouring rain to help me when my paper shopping bag disintegrated. One stranger offered the plastic bag her bubble tea came in and then apologized she didn't have a second one to give me; tourists who seemed just as devastated as me that the jar of mayo smashed; and a generous...

My niece chose ME today and I understood her

1,384 views | Posted by A friend on December 4, 2025

My niece is about 18 months old. She is a huge mama's girl and for most of her life, she wouldn't let anybody else hold her. I live 2 hours away so I only see her on weekends. The last 6 months or so, she has warmed up to my brother (her dad) and my mom. She still would flip out if I tried to pick her up, but she would tolerate me...

My childhood cat found me

1,371 views | Posted by A friend on November 25, 2025

I had a childhood cat named Charlie. He was a tom cat, he'd disappear ever few months, be gone for a while then come back. Well during one of his adventures, i moved. Not far, just more into town. A few years later (today) my brother comes into my room and said theres a cat outside, I opened the door and it started...

An older gentleman helped me fill my car with air and gave me quarters

1,290 views | Posted by A friend on December 5, 2025

I just wanted to share this somewhere because I wish I could show my gratitude more to him. I am currently in the North, and my tires on my car are deflating. I went to fill them with air, but I had no clue how. I got to the pump, and it took coins only. I didn’t have any, and this man saw that, and gave me...

My dog Lyft story

1,285 views | Posted by A friend on December 5, 2025

I had a Lyft driver lady like “I am so sorry I had to bring my dog do you mind?” And I had this beautiful old man golden retriever sleep on me smiling wanting belly rubs. I didn’t want the ride to end. I specifically remember leaving a $20 tip on a like $14 ride lol. I doubt I’d do it again like...

Teenagers Being Kind

1,169 views | Posted by A friend on December 8, 2025

I worked a community event last night. A little after 8:00pm, the volunteer and I had packed everything in a wagon using a lot of bungee cords and careful stacking. I was pulling the wagon, and over my shoulder was the riser I had in its bag. The volunteer was wheeling the 10x10 pop up and her personal belongings. It’s a bit of a walk...

I paid his bill for him

1,084 views | Posted by A friend on December 11, 2025

A bit of a yarn here. One of my dogs decided to take on a venomous snake. Several days later, and several thousand in vet bills later, we were finally (hopefully) getting the all clear. Over the past few days I thought a lot about how heartbreaking it must be for pet owners who just don't have the money to pay for...

A Story of Kindness to Restore Some Faith in Humanity!

1,052 views | Posted by A friend on November 27, 2025

So I am a Teacher Assistant at a public high school and I work with the "adaptive class" which are the kids with downs or severe autism, etc. This is my first year working in this class. They always go to a hibachi restaurant for "Thanksgiving" as a class. We were using discounts and stuff as well as students bringing in...

My girlfriend surprised me with a coffee cart at her place

1,050 views | Posted by A friend on November 24, 2025

For context, I have been staying mostly with my girlfriend recently because I can't return home due to personal reasons. Coffee is one of my biggest interests and I've been talking about how much I miss making my coffee in the morning but I know my espresso machine would be too loud at her house. After I got back from work...

A Crack in the Clouds

1,028 views | Posted by Joseph J. Mazzella on December 10, 2025

With winter bearing down on us this week, I hope my new story reminds you of the light all around you, and within you as well. God bless you always. It was a gray, gloomy day. The sky had been overcast for 3 days in a row. Even when it wasn’t raining there was little light. It looked like all the colors of the world...

My brother went to the store for me, thank you random stranger

996 views | Posted by A friend on December 10, 2025

I recently totaled my car, it was 100% my fault. I haven't gotten my settlement back but with Christmas and everything, money has been tight. My brother was very sweet to pick up groceries for me, I have 3 kids but I have no way to get to the grocery store (or anywhere) without my car. My brother was...

I ugly cried for 2 straight days

981 views | Posted by A friend on December 9, 2025

A couple weeks ago I asked for help in a local Facebook group with anyone that had any outgrown diapers for my toddler. This one super woman not only gave me 2 bags of her kids outgrown diapers, but she also got my kid baby food and some eggs and bacon and grinch cookies for me. Just. Unprompted. Showed up for my family that she...

Every Christmas, my neighbor puts together a small snack box for the delivery drivers

940 views | Posted by A friend on December 12, 2025

Every Christmas, my neighbor puts a little snack box outside for the delivery drivers. It is nothing big, just some sweets and soft drinks. Still, you can see how much it means to people when they grab something during their long cold routes. It is one of those tiny traditions that quietly reminds you that...

Accidentally became a therapist for my neighbor's tomato plant

773 views | Posted by A friend on December 15, 2025

I unintentionally became my neighbor’s emotional support human this afternoon. I was grabbing a courier when my older neighbor waved me over and asked if I had “a minute for something important.” That minute turned into me sitting on her front steps while she showed me her phone gallery. Every single...

How an unexpected act of kindness saved Christmas

727 views | Posted by A friend on December 17, 2025

I found this group yesterday, and reading the posts brought up an old, but sweet memory. Since we are approaching Christmas, I thought I'd share it. For as long as I can remember my family was financially struggling. The year I turned 9 was rough. I think probably the worst. Leading up to Christmas, while my parents...