Life

Marie Louise McConville: Acts of kindness help to restore faith in humanity

Marie Louise was very thankful to those who showed true acts of kindness to her this week, including the man who came to fix the family cooker when it tripped the electrics in her house (Stock image)
Marie Louise was very thankful to those who showed true acts of kindness to her this week, including the man who came to fix the family cooker when it tripped the electrics in her house (Stock image) Marie Louise was very thankful to those who showed true acts of kindness to her this week, including the man who came to fix the family cooker when it tripped the electrics in her house (Stock image)

It’s nice to be nice, isn’t it?

I mean, being kind is one life’s greatest gifts, it can help brighten someone’s day and it doesn’t cost anything - so, why don’t we do it more?

Like everyone else I’m sure, I have days when I wonder where all the goodness and kindness in the world has gone.

It’s the little things I notice - letting the door go on the person behind or walking past someone who just dropped a bag of shopping without stopping to help.

It would cost nothing to help these people yet the vast majority of us choose to walk on.

Thank goodness then that there are still some good people in the world who are kind and look out for others.

In the Asda car park the other night, as I went to go and put back the trolley after putting the shopping in the boot of the car, the kids got a bit upset as they didn't want me to walk away.

As I tried to calm them and reassure them I would only be a second, a man approached me to say he would put the trolley back for me as he could see the kids were upset.

He just smiled and off he went with the trolley. I was so touched.

It may have been a little act in the grand scheme of things but in that moment, it meant the world to me.

Two nights later, kindness again saved the day for our family when we found ourselves in darkness at home when our cooker managed to trip the electrics.

As it was a Friday evening, we didn't hold out much hope of finding help.

By chance, I called a guy, an appliance engineer recommended by a neighbour, to ask for some advice.

However, five minutes later, he was in his van on the way to our house and he spent the next few hours sorting the problem.

Understandably, the kids had been distressed when the lights went out and we really were so thankful to this guy - Stephen Fitzsimons from Ignite Appliance Services - who came to our aid, leaving a family birthday party to do so, just because he knew there were children in the house.

He didn't complain once, was just friendly and chatty.

Now, that was a wonderful act of kindness which really helped us when we needed it.

Thank goodness for people like Stephen and the trolley man, just when you need it, they restore your faith in humanity and that's no bad thing.

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There have been major celebrations around Ireland this week after it was reported that Westlife are to reunite.

Apparently, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily are getting back together under a new record label - Universal Music Group- and are set to release a comeback single written by Ed Sheeran.

The news is sure to be welcomed by the millions of Westlife fans who were left heartbroken when the group split in 2012.

So, great news all round then, new single, new video, new Westlife chapter to look forward too.

Ah guys, ......we’re flying without wings now.

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Competition

The nights are drawing in so how do you fancy a wee trip out to the cinema to help lift the autumnal blues?

Already being muted as an Oscars contender, A Star is Born has been described as "outrageously watchable".

Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, the movie tells the story of seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers, and falls in love with struggling artist Ally.

Having just been on the verge of giving up on her dream of making as singer, Jackson coaxes Ally her back into the spotlight.

But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

A Star is Born arrives at Movie House Cinemas on October 3.

Details of screenings is available at www.moviehouse.co.uk

I have three pairs of tickets to give away to three lucky readers to go and see A Star is Born at Movie House Cinemas.

If you fancy winning a family ticket, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon Tuesday, October 2, 2018

(Q) Which famous female singer stars alongside Bradley Cooper in A Star is Born?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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The winners of Before Her Eyes competition are Michael Reilly, from Belfast, Eilis O'Neill, from Belfast, Marie Hughes, from Belfast, Sally Harkin, from Kilrea, and Mary O'Neill, from Moy.