In a world that seems to be getting darker and more depressing all the time, it can be hard to stay motivated. I mean, what can we really do to help when the planet’s problems are so massive?

Well, personally, I think there’s only one way to go: treat others the way you’d like to be treated yourself.

Small acts of kindness can do more good than than we may ever know. Take this story about a woman who saw a lovely family and decided to do something nice for them. She had no idea how much her little gesture would come to mean to them.

Hopefully, it will inspire others to lend a hand family, friends, and even strangers. Every little little thing helps.

On June 8, Joyce Rhinehart went to Rita’s Italian Ice to treat her grandson Blake to some ice cream. When she and Blake were about to leave, Joyce noticed a family enjoying ice cream together on a bench outside.

“Something urged me to ask them if I could take their picture,” Joyce writes on Facebook.

She snapped a photo with her phone and then handed it to the daughter of the family so she could send herself the photo.

The family thanked Joyce and she dropped off Blake at his home and forgot about the sweet moment.

But the story doesn’t end there. A few days later, Joyce received a text from an unknown number. When she opened it and read it, Joyce got chills – and then began to cry.

“Dear madam, you took our picture in front of Rita’s on June 8th. My wife has passed away yesterday and this is the last picture we have together as a family. Please accept my deepest gratitude for your kindness, it means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Facebook/Joyce Rhinehart

Never underestimate the power of a simple act of kindness. You never know, it could mean the world to the person on the other side.

I think it’s incredible that Joyce had that sudden urge, an internal prompting, to offer to take the family’s photo. And maybe it’s even more amazing that the family agreed to this stranger’s gesture – but now, it’s the last bit of memorabilia they have to treasure of their mother and wife.

I’m glad that I read this wonderful reminder to think of others, because you never know just how much your actions might mean to them.