We recently ran a Hot Topics column about the Downtown Duck Hero in Spokane who helped a mother duck and her 10 baby ducklings get safely from a second-story office building overhang to the Spokane River. The Reader Responses to that story were so positive and upbeat that I thought it might be fun to hear from or about other local heroes who have helped out a friend, a relative, a co-worker, even strangers with simple acts of kindness that normally are not considered newsworthy.

You might be wondering: "What qualifies as an act of kindness?" and I was wondering that, too. So I thought back on the past couple of weeks to see if I had done anything that would qualify me as someone's hero. Here's what I came up with … you be the judge by voting in our Poll.

It was Sunday afternoon and I'd been working outside. It was hot; I was tired and I had just stopped to have a little lunch and rest for a minute before getting back to work. As soon as I sat down and had taken a few bites of food, there was a small knock at my front door.

My neighbor's teenaged daughter was dressed for work, but had a look of despair on her face. She quickly explained that she had been waiting for the bus, but had just missed the early one and was afraid a later one would not get her to work on time. Neither of her parents were home at the time, so she came to ask me if I would give her a ride to work.

I dropped what I was doing – which didn't seem nearly as important at the moment – and drove the young woman to work. It was nice to have a few minutes to visit with her since our schedules don't usually allow much face time, and I figured that was my "reward." In fact, I would never consider asking for a reward for such a simple kindness and yet, that day I just may have been someone's hero.

So what's your story? Has a kindness you've shown to someone made you a hero for a moment, an hour, a day, a lifetime? Has there been someone in your life who has shown you a kindness or surprised you with help when you needed it? Write and tell us about your personal heroes and we'll print it online. Be sure to include your name, city you live in, and a contact phone or email address in case we have questions. Feel free to vote in our Poll, too.

Editor@Spokane.net