I have to share this. I was at Walmart with my young son. After paying for my groceries I had some Christmas stuff to ring through. When I got the total, I realized I didn’t have enough money and so I asked the cashier to put a few things back. As we were heading out the front doors, a man came up and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, you forgot a bag of stuff.” I’ve done this before and so thanked him and he was gone. When I looked into the bag I realized it was all the stuff I had asked the cashier to put back. I was shocked to the point of tears. I couldn’t believe it! Two ladies coming out asked me if I was OK and upon telling them my story and how touched and heart-fluttered I felt, they teared up, too! They thanked me for sharing the story with them and said they needed that today. *tearing up again* Sir, I don’t know who you are, but thank you and know that in the spirit of giving and kindness I will be paying it forward! This being said, I have a suggestion for the paper: Maybe for the month of December you could do a column titled Random Acts of Kindness or Angels are Amongst Us. Mine could be the first story and people could send in other stories of random acts of kindness they have encountered in the Valley. With all the depressing news in our world, it might help to lift people’s spirits during what can be a very difficult month for many.If parents of bullied children are serious about having this abuse stop, they should enroll their kids in self-defence. I got picked on all through my childhood, and my mother told me if I fought back I’d be  punished for it, since fighting for any reason was “bad.” The school authorities back then were also just as useless at stopping it as the local police and teachers seem to be now. What a setup! It didn’t matter what I did, I was always the loser. Unfortunately, if there are no consequences for their bad behaviour, the bullies will always win. If I’d had a few throws under my belt to use in emergencies, my childhood would have been quite different and I wouldn’t now be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.Many bags of rotten compost to the person who dumps their trash on my property. I am doing a renovation and “yes” there is a very large dumpster bin outside on my front lawn. But this does not give you or anyone else the right to use it for yourself. I pay for this out of my own funds, and my young wife and I are renovating to update the place and re-rent so that we can make a start in this life. It is frustrating and very disappointing to see “your” level of inconsideration and disrespect for your fellow citizen. I have contemplated removing “your” items and leaving them on the curb, but I cannot stomach the guilt of punishing everyone in the Courtenay area as paid city workers would have to clean this mess up. Had you approached me and asked, I probably would have said yes, but your philosophy of act-first-ask-forgiveness later has worn thin. I suspect you will not do the right thing and take back your items. It is probably best you remain anonymous because for all you know, all of your items and 15 yards of waste could greet you at your front step.Beef to the City of Courtenay. If you ever took a look at the new City Hall sign, it is dark brown on a brown background. One must be at least 15 feet from it to make it out. Another one of our city’s ventures put forth without much thought. Just like the advance pools at city hall. Did you notice all the parking spots for city hall staff were not covered up. Seniors in the very cold, wet and windy day had to park some 100 yards away. It must be nice to have a parking spot reserved for one’s staff.

Comox Valley Record