You put a sparkly Christmas pillow in a tree with a note about how it was up for grabs. I took it and gave it to my parents—they love that kind of shit, and they loved the pillow ("maybe we'll keep it out all year!"). Just wanted you to know that the pillow ended up in the perfect place. — Joy To The North End

I took my dad to get some blood work done this Saturday and it was a few hours wait. They serviced over 1,000 people, and my appreciation goes to the staff, who were very patient and understanding. However, the most thoughtful act came from a young blonde woman with a nose ring. After waiting for hours, she noticed that the very senior woman next to her had a ticket that would leave her waiting for hours more. Without thinking twice about it she offered to swap her ticket and then proceeded to engage with this elderly woman for a long while. I think I fell in love with you while I listened to you share your life with this woman and listen to her intently. You have restored my faith in humanity. — Some Guy Who Thinks You're Great

Shout-out to whomever was responsible for the beautiful holiday decorations off of Doyle Street. It is a visual treat that always seems to catch me by surprise. It gladdens my heart while travelling the neighbouring streets, and feels and looks as if I'm journeying through a blue and mauve shimmering wonderland of snowflakes.
—K.F.

To the people on Herring Cove Road with the reproduction of Michelangelo's "David" in front of their house: Each time I drive by I look to see if you've changed his theme. Thank you for making our little corner of the world just a bit better.
—Cindy

A big shout out to Dale and Aaron at the Lost and Found at the Metro Transit Bridge Terminal. I lost my wallet on one bus going to the bridge terminal from Dartmouth, and my cell phone on the bus going across the bridge to Halifax. I got the number for lost and found at Halifax Transit, so I called them and we established a great rapport. I left a voicemail with Dale, and when I called again, he asked me to be more specific about my phone since there was something showing up in their systems. He asked me to describe it to him, and I told him the brand name only appeared near the speaker. He asked if I could wait a while, as he had to have a look in his inventory again: lo and behold, my wallet, with all the money I had, and a lottery ticket AND my phone were at the lost and found! I had my phone scan my fingerprint and: voilà! Freaking A+++ for customer service guys and for getting these things back to me.

So people, when you lose your shit and it MIGHT be on the bus, don't panic. These guys are super busy! Let them do their job and locate the stuff and stop calling every day to find out if your things are there. It must be super stressful working there. So I didn't have my cell phone for a week: it was actually nice to be flying blind and almost incommunicado for six or seven days! Thanks to everyone you two at the Dartmouth Bridge Terminal, you guys rock!
—Anonymously Happy

  Before the years ends, I want to send out this thank-you from a warmer time of year. I was walking my wiener dogs around the Forum and stopped to talk to new neighbours and their pup. When we walked away one of one mine started shrieking in pain and fell to the ground. You saw us in distress and held two of the dog's leashes, while I checked out the third. I hobbled a half-block home only to discover fire ants stuck to the poor guy's penis! Thank you for stopping and being a kind passerby. I live in the best neighbourhood ever, or so says this Vancouver transplant.
—Long Dog Love

Love is alive in Halifax! My car battery died at the casino. One guy stopped with his girlfriend, but couldn't get it going and my cables fried. Another guy also came over to help, but no luck. I headed to the casino's front desk to call a tow truck, and the female employee suggested asking a cab driver. Sure enough, one very friendly driver in car #091 came to the rescue without any thought at all. I offered him money and he said no, but I insisted. You guys make this city such a great place to live.

Oh, and I wasn't supposed to be at the casino so you saved my neck also. Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas.
—Gerard

Growing up in Ontario and raised by a well-read and well-travelled family, I was always encouraged to travel somewhere alone, where I had never been before and to live there for awhile. You know? Really do some soul searching and rediscover myself all over again while learning to love myself even more. Truthfully, in the past I secretly despised myself and others for whining and complaining over the things that would not matter five minutes from now. And as most people know, us Ontario people "Love to Bitch." But I have no complaints about Nova Scotia.

Honestly, I have been making up excuses not to leave here because every time I get teary eyed, and I never get teary eyed about leaving a place or a person ever. There are many wonderful and inspirational people who all struck a chord with me one way or another, and suddenly I did not feel alone in this world. Then after a while I was able to actually focus on the good in myself so I could eventually love myself more and not settle for less.

Yes, sure I messed up and had blunders on the way. But I am "Ontario shameless" like that and own my shit. You guys should too. You are too modest and all of you deserve so much better. From my friends to my foes, I love you all and will miss you whenever I leave the province.
—T.

I was scrunched up, wrestling with the tire gauge and valve stem at the gas station. A young woman walked by and asked "All OK?" She saw from my face I was struggling. She plopped right down and joined in wrestling. I figured she worked there. After some minutes filling the tires and getting weird gauge readings, she said she had one at home. She didn’t work there, she was just walking by! She brought back tools and a good gauge, and we finally got the right amount of air in those recalcitrants. Thank you wonderful person! It WAS the valve stems! Welcome to Halifax, we are so fortunate to have you here. You will be an awesome nurse!
—Happily Full Of Air Neighbour