Stanek weekend video: A random act of kindness
by Hans Johnson
It was a beautiful Sunday to attend a Milwaukee Brewers / Washington Nationals ballgame. With Sarah Kooiman and her husband were their young sons Isaiah, Micah, and Thomas. The boys’ boisterous behavior could well have bothered the young man seated in front of them with his girlfriend. Many men would yell out, “Hey lady! How about controlling your kids?” But that wasn’t the case this time.
Instead he took it all in good humor, chatting back and forth, racing Isaiah down to the dugout in the middle of innings hoping for a ball to be tossed their way. He promised him a ball, and before they left he dug one out of his pocket and presented it to the excited boy.
The mother was so grateful and moved by this generosity that she wrote a blog post the next day addressed to “The Mystery Man of Miller Park.”
It can be so easy to forget sometimes how small acts of kindness can have such a huge impact on our fellow humans. Holding open a door, offering a seat on a bus or subway, paying for a stranger’s coffee. All teeny little choices that can become a bright spot in an otherwise difficult day.
But you did more than that, sir. You made my boy feel like a rockstar. You didn’t have to. You chose to. And I am sincerely grateful to you for it. When my wiped-out children were tucked into bed last night, I took a few minutes to thank God for you. I asked that He bless you and draw near to you wherever you were. I prayed that the Lord would encourage you and honor your kindness by bringing joy to your heart.
Within hours the story went viral and it was learned that the young man was 22-year-old Chad McLoughlin.
Here is a report from TMJ4:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/KFVvOuw0JSA[/youtube]Email dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
[HT: TheBlaze]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Well…. this is Wisconsin. How could any young man at Miller Park pass up the chance to make a little kid’s day? And it’s no small surprise that the Sconnie Mommy appreciated the gesture with a thank-you blog. The American spirit is still alive here in the upper Midwest.
Sure… we also have Planned Parenthood, and the Capitol Singers, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation — but that’s just downtown Madison, not the real world.
A true hero! Someone we can all learn from and aspire to be, in kindness and making the day for others more special. LL :D
Cool! :)
I agree that he is a shining example! But too bad that this is not just normal. A lot of even very nice people are afraid to interact with people they do not know. I think it takes courage. But I have indeed heard people say that we WI people are more friendly than most of the rest of the US. =)
Lifejoy,
I’m beginning to think Wisconsin is the center of the Universe. It certainly seems to be the center of this blog’s commenters! :)
That’s funny, Hans – I often think that too! I mean, in addition to some great folks commenting here, our WI sure seems to find its way into the middle of controversy more often than your average state!
Yay WI!!
I am among some wonderful WI friends here. :)
Awesome story – thanks for posting.
Agreed on the Wisconsin drama and controversy LifeJoy – I lived in Minnesota during the crazy Jesse Ventura years – moved to Wisconsin thinking everything would be peaceful, and then, well, it hasn’t been! Good times.
But back to the story – very cool example of selflessness – one of the things I love about baseball too – you often times more kids at the game (compared to a lot of other sports), which gives the opportunity for this sort of thing.
I’m starting to feel like I may have to move to Wisconsin in order to fit in around her.
JDC says:
August 25, 2013 at 4:59 pm
I’m starting to feel like I may have to move to Wisconsin in order to fit in around here.
Let me know when you come for a visit. I know where there are still a few cigar bars where some guys can enjoy a bite, a beer, and a smoke together like real grown-ups — all in the same place!
Is that odd? You can smoke in bars down here I believe as long as they don’t sell a significant amount of food. Or maybe those bars are just breaking the law, they tend to be dives.
I think that the ratio of Wisconsinites vs people from other states or countries on this blog is 10 to 1 in my super-scientific and mathematical analysis. All the rest of us will end up living up there eventually it seems. Except me, I don’t like being cold.
Jack says:
August 25, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Is that odd? You can smoke in bars down here I believe as long as they don’t sell a significant amount of food. Or maybe those bars are just breaking the law, they tend to be dives.
I don’t know where you live. But in Wisconsin, the previous regime of Democrats shoved a state-wide smoking ban down our throats. (Never mind that no one has inspected an abortion clinic in 17 years, the pristine health of bartenders and wait-staff must be protected! Even if it means fewer customers and cutting their jobs. And screw the conscientious pub owners who installed those smoke filters and ventilation systems….)
I think that the ratio of Wisconsinites vs people from other states or countries on this blog is 10 to 1 in my super-scientific and mathematical analysis. All the rest of us will end up living up there eventually it seems. Except me, I don’t like being cold.
We just dress warm during those 5 months of winter. You’ll be fine!
Jack – And to fill in the blank here – restaurants and bars are generally happier now, and the state polls show that people are pretty darn happy about the smoking ban.
http://host.madison.com/news/local/state-bars-and-restaurants-doing-well-three-years-after-smoking/article_b96de17d-a48d-52f0-8515-a9d9c9b000da.html
Lol well I’m a smoker, but I don’t like smelling like an ashtray or giving anyone else lung cancer so I don’t see that smoking bans are a big deal, it’s not like tobacco isn’t a huge public health risk. I would find it so weird not to smoke in a bar though, but I bet smokers got used to it quickly.
I agree with you, Del, that businesses should be able to decide what suits their customers, and we costumers should simply decide where to eat and drink. That said, I truly love not having to secondhand smoke anymore. Sorry. I wish I could be super awesome libertarian and stick to my proclamation above, but the truth is that I have too many loved ones who have contributed to their own failed health … plus, it’s fun to watch smokers do the warm up dance outside of bars during January. And yet, I do love a giant cigar from time to time … especially with a mojito. I am nothing if not conflicted.
It would simply be a matter of personal choice for owners and consumers if tobacco smoke weren’t extremely carcinogenic… That’s not exactly fair to workers (we have workplace safety regulations for every industry, wait staff and bartenders aren’t special). I think people have the right to slowly commit suicide by smoking if they want, but it’s quite a different matter to drag other people along with you.
It’s kinda like being fine with, idk, textile workers being exposed to dangerous chemicals without any type of requirement that employers provide them protective equipment or ways to avoid it. I don’t think smoking bans are a big deal, they’re probably positive overall. My state will probably never enact them though.
Great story! Nice to see something upbeat like that.
As to the smoking ban, I’m glad there’s not as much smoking in restaurants and stuff. I’m not trying to take away anyone’s freedoms, it’s just that I’m HIGHLY allergic and sensitive to cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoke. Even with smoking sections, there were times I could smell it and it bugged me. I avoid places where they still allow smoking as much as possible because of how my body reacts.
Jack,
I suggest moving to WI. Absolutely.
It’s not THAT cold. :) It’s just a little wind chill. No biggie.
I would move to Florida but it’s too hot!!
Del,
Winter is 9 months here not 5.
Shhhhhhhh…..
Don’t tell anyone.
Cold weather is much better for our bodies anyway as it slows down the aging process. Florida gives one arthritis due to its extreme humidity.
I like the cold weather, but are there any decent-sized mountains in Wisconsin?
Jack, your vegetarian sensibilities may be offended by the Sausage Race! ;)
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/fan_forum/racing_sausages.jsp
Here you go Hans: http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/state.asp?s=WI
Not bad. I guess we’re roughly divided as mountain lake or ocean beach types. I’m the former. :)
My family and I are all about winter sports and kayaking so mountain-lake type we are too. I just thought we were out-doorsy but thanks for putting this in perspective.
Illinois has some great ones!!!
I believe many positive changes have started in Wisconsin and are moving around our country.
I also believe we have had some good help from a Beautiful Lady:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/2010/12/our-lady-of-good-help-worthy-of-belief.html
I have found that the Wisconsin bars/restaurants in my area have found ways to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers in a way that appeases both sides.