Whilst most QOTWs are a pleasure to read
I have to say that this one stands out. People can be nice after all, instead of being inveterate bastards that most people seem to be these days. So, onto my second answer- possibly the best thing anyone has done over the past few years- provide me with a home.

It was September 2006- suffice to say, things weren't going to well for me. I was stuck in a job that can only be described as soul-destroying. Working in a betting shop is not the ideal career choice, believe me. Even the upshot of reading and smoking my way through the day soon paled into grey insignificance in the face of yet another haggard punter wanting to put on a 5p Lucky 15 for the races over the afternoon. They may have enjoyed being down there, as it got them away from what I can only assume to be extremely shrewish wives, but for me it was hell. I was not in a good way. I only lived round the corner, which was handy, but by God I was dying inside, slowly.

And then I got some really bad news- Mum had a possible cancer diagnosis, which made things not exactly rosey. I couldn't afford to go and see her, such were my wages, which went on food, rather than rent, they were so low. And then, as I couldn't pay my rent, despite having a paying job, a parent with (possible) cancer, and debts coming out of my ears. To be honest, I was probably a few days away from suicide. And then it got even worse- I kicked out by the landlord. An Imam, on point of fact. Now I'm sure Islam has charity as one of the 5 pillars, but he wasn't following it that day. But that's the last I will say on that point, this is not going to be an anti-religious rant. I'll let the many and varied atheists take care of that for me. So, there I was, homeless, in a job I hated, with a parent facing something life-altering, possibly destroying. I wasn't in a good way, truth be told. And so, back to the parent.

In my utmost hour of need, when I was possibly at my lowest, she provided me with a home, a roof over my head. Over the last two years she has tolerated me, listened to me, helped me, fed me, and been a Mum. And actually repaired our relationship to a point where we can actually talk. Oh yes- things were very difficult between me and Mum, we didn't have the best relationship in the world. And the fact she wasn't actually obliged to have me in the house. She could have left me to rot, but she didn't. She took me in when no-one else would, and best of all, helped me grow up to a point where I can actually look after myself. And so, two years later, I felt able to take on the world again. And so here I am, posting from my new home, saying one thing. Thanks Mum!

And even better- the cancer diagnosis was thankfully a false alarm.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Sun 5 Oct 2008, 23:18, Reply)