My son's first word was Papa while we were playing. My wife did a night shift at the hospital so she was sleeping a bit at that time in the morning. I didn't tell her and waited for his next "first" word. It was mama and she was there to hear it. She was very happy and I will never tell her the truth.

My husband found a tiny fledging bird in the backyard. It had obviously had a rough start in life and was missing an eye. We watched it over the course of a week as it practiced taking off from the ground, and its mum delivered it worms to eat. Husband put out a tray of water. We named the fledgling Barney and were really rooting for the little guy.

One morning I went outside to check on Barney and he was [gone]. On his side and covered in ants. I put him in a box with a flower from the garden and disposed of him. When my husband woke up he asked about Barney. I told him that earlier that morning I’d witnessed him take off and fly away with his mum. Husband was so happy and commented that he wished he’d been there to see.

Now whenever we see a bird of that type nearby my husband says “maybe it’s Barney!” and will check to see if it’s missing an eye 🥺.

Ten years ago, on what would have been my best friend's wedding anniversary (the first one after he [passed away]), I sent his widow flowers anonymously. The note was short: "I hope you feel loved and are happy." I left my name off because I didn't want any awkward thank-yous or explanations.

A few months later, I overheard her telling my wife about the flowers. She was convinced her husband had arranged for them to be sent after his [passing]. She described it as one of the most thoughtful things he had ever done, with tears in her eyes.

That was a decade ago. I have kept sending flowers on the same date every year, always anonymously. She still believes it is coming from him, some pre-arranged thing he set up. I have never corrected her, and I never will.

My younger brother thinks he "found" a crisp $100 bill on the sidewalk on the worst day of his life (the day his fiancée left him). Truth is, I dropped it there and pretended to tie my shoe so he’d spot it first. I was broke too, that was my grocery money for the month, but he needed a "win" from the universe so badly that day. We ate ramen for weeks but seeing him smile for the first time in days was worth it. He still talks about his "lucky day" 8 years later.

I filed a CPS case against my own life long friend. Went to visit her house after she had kids and it was a literal biohazard. Animal waste caked into the carpet that was so old it was white. You could smell ammonia before you even entered the house. 2 of the girls had awful coughing fits from the poor air quality. Mold, blood, dirt, waste, everywhere. I secretly took photos while I was there and the next day filed a report.

My friend called me sobbing that they took her kids from her until she proved she could clean and keep up with the house. I pretended like it wasn't me.

She did get the house fixed and got her kids back.

Those kids didnt deserve to live in such awful conditions and I feel no guilt for what I did. But I will never tell her that it was me who made that report.