16/06/2025
Human Kindness Can Change the World — A Must Read
A few weeks ago, while guiding a tour through Ireland, I received the devastating news that my father had passed away. The moment I found out was just minutes after I was handed a small bear as a gift at the Guildhall in Derry. What I didn’t know then, was that bear would become a symbol of something far greater than I could have ever imagined.
In that painful moment, the people I was guiding – my guests – became so much more. They became my friends, my support system, my steady hands through the storm. Somehow, they were exactly who I needed, exactly when I needed them. Life has a strange way of placing the right souls in your path when your own strength isn’t enough.
Today, a package arrived all the way from Canada. Inside was the most beautiful Canadian bear, accompanied by a bottle of maple syrup. A gesture so thoughtful, so heartfelt, that it brought tears to my eyes. To know that someone went out of their way, across the world, to offer comfort and love — it means more to me than words could ever express.
I’ve named the bear DD, in honour of David and Dona. I’ll treasure it always.
In this work, we have the immense privilege of meeting people from every corner of the world. And while the sights are breathtaking and the stories unforgettable, it’s the kindness – the human kindness – that leaves the deepest mark. That kind of compassion can’t be bought or planned. It’s real. It’s raw. It changes lives.
In a world full of choices, always choose love. Choose kindness. Because you truly never know how one small act, one moment of care, can turn someone’s world around – just like it did for me.
With a full heart,
Derek O’Keeffe
Owner, Private Tours Cork and Ireland
Love Ireland Love Ireland Private Tours Cork & Ireland
