Day 22-A Donation for the Hospital

Day 22-Today is the twenty second day in my journey of kindness. This morning I met with an interesting challenge. I spent time yesterday evening putting together a coffee cake for my husband to deliver for one of his customers as an act of kindness, but when I came down the stairs this morning to get a cup of milk for our son I noticed the coffee cake was still sitting wrapped in plastic wrap on our kitchen counter. My husband had already left for the day and I knew, as a result of the coffee cake being left behind, that particular act of kindness would have to wait for another day. The act I had planned would not be completed today. I went into problem solving mode and decided that I would mail a package to St. Mary's hospital in Richmond instead. I had already purchased items to send but had not planned to mail them today. I worked all day and then headed to pick up my son. As I headed home I stopped by the UPS store and purchased a large envelope that I loaded with a large Hello Kitty activity and coloring book and large box of crayons. I attached a note of gratitude to the staff in the pediatric unit for providing such good care to my little one year old niece, Maddie, who was recently hospitalized with them for six days due to breathing problems. She is precious and I love her very much and am appreciative for the kind individuals who provided her with good care and nurture while in their care. I wrote on the note that I hoped that a child on the unit would enjoy the items and ask that they be donated to a hospitalized child. I know first hand how nice it is for your child to be provided with items such as these when they are hospitalized. In a way I felt like I was both paying it forward and repaying the universe at the same time. It was an interesting completion of a cycle for me. 343 more days of kindness...are you in?

Day 21-Good Stewards of the Earth

Day 21-Today is the 21st day in my journey of kindness. I have been doing this for 21 days...wow! When I started this project I was unsure how it would go, but so far I am still on track for doing a kind act every single day. Several friends have joined in and have shared their own stories of kindness and I am excited about where this path is going and where it will end on day 365. Today I have run errands, which included picking up new dog wash for my Akita. She was in desparate need of a bath and brush today as she is blowing her coat and making a big puppy mess all over the house. After I bathed her, I put her collar on and latched her leash for a good walk to help her dry and to get the loose hair off of her. I tucked a whole roll of green doggy doo bags in my pocket in order to clean up after her should she need to relieve herself on the walk. As we walked through my neighborhood I noticed little bits of trash along the road. I thought about the roll of bags in pocket and pulled two off the roll. I used one like a glove and began filling the other with trash as I walked with my dog. I picked up bottles, pieces of paper, cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and anything else that I spotted along my route. I got to thinking, how often do we as people wait for someone else to do something or go by a task, knowing it needs to be done but thinking we will get to it later. I could have just stepped by the trash on the ground but with my moral compass firmly in place knew that this task was part of my journey. I thought about the impact such trash could have on the environment and animals if left to decay on the grass. I thought about the far reaching impact it might have on others if it remained in the environment rather than being picked up and taken care of. I grew up in an environmentally friendly family and we spent much time outside. We lived by the saying, "take only photographs and leave only footprints." Today I made a difference. What will you do today? 344 more days of kindness...are you in?

Day 20-Old Friends

Day 20-Today is day twenty in my kindness journey. It has been a busy Saturday as I have cleaned, done laundry (still have more to do), attended a four year old's birthday party, made a new blanket for my little guy to take to daycare on Monday, and have spent time with my family. As I write this I am tired and looking forward to getting some sleep soon. I have bathed and read a bed time story to my son and my husband is helping him get to sleep. I noticed my husband today as we were out shopping helping others and being kind and felt proud of his easy way of offering assistance in a friendly manner. I was reminded that even small acts of kindness have an impact. There were several times that he could have kept walking or pretended to be too busy to help others, but instead he engaged in friendly conversation and assistance. He returned a shopping cart for a lady and her daughter and spent time chatting with a contractor who had a long day of working on a project at the shopping center. Watching him made me realize that connections with others are always present. I believe this to be true even when there is great distance and sometimes time has lapsed in friendships. Today my kind act was to send a care package to one of my roommate's from college who is expecting her first child. I don't want to give it away, as she could read my blog :), but I sent a little package of items that she might find useful during her pregnancy. I have not seen her since graduation, which will be ten years this May, but still feel a connection with her. I have kept in touch with her through social media and am hoping that we will reconnect when she relocates to the east coast. The small acts are sometimes the most important and I hope my friend Kat will appreciate the gift. Also, last night a friend of mine (sweet Jennifer) messaged me that she made a donation to her local animal shelther to help pay for a lifesaving surgery for a small kitten who had been found with a rubberband around its neck. Kindness is everywhere! 345 more days of kindness...are you in?

Day 19-Redbox

Day 19-Today is the nineteenth day of completing acts of kindness for others. Today has been a busy day and while I have intereacted with others throughout the day, by this evening had not yet completed my act for the day. I spent the majority of the day today home with my son who had surgery yesterday. I watched a beautiful and challenging documentary on Netflix during his nap time called, "Dear Zachary", and if you have a chance...watch it and do something in your own community. Also, you'll need a box of tissues handy. This got me to thinking about movies in general. I decided on my way home, realizing that it is Friday, to make a donation to a local Redbox to pay for someone's or a family's movie for their enjoyment this evening. I loaded an envelope with changed and wrote on the outside of the envelope "Enjoy a movie on me" and taped it to the Redbox kiosk. Of course, I do not know who will go to the Redbox this evening, find the money taped to the machine and have the cost of their movie offset for them, but I hope that they will enjoy it and will choose to pay it forward. My sister also contacted me today with an idea for donations to be sent to the hospital that is treating her one year old for breathing problems. She postulated that crayons and coloring books may be well received by the staff to share with children being treated in the unit. Perhaps I can get this together for my act tomorrow. 346 more days of kindness...are you in?

Day 18-Breakfast and Blue Cars

Day 18-Today is day 18 in this journey of mine. Today, my son had to have a minor surgery to have the tubes in his ears removed and after a long day yesterday I was feeling very tired as we also had to get up very early this morning to be at the surgery center on time. After the procedure was completed he asked me if we could get pancakes on the way home. I usually make pancakes from my PawPaw's recipe at home, but decided this morning, being very tired, to go through the drive-thru and pick some up and get myself a large coffee. As I pulled through the drive-thru I noticed a blue car behind me. When I paid for my breakfast, I asked the cashier to use my card to pay for the next person behind me saying, "Go ahead and charge me for hers too and tell her I said to have a great day on me!" The cashier looked more tired than I felt and gave little response to my request, but was amenable to my request. As I pulled forward I saw in my mirror the lady in the blue car behind me prepare her payment only to be met with the receipt from the cashier instead. I watched the exchange as the cashier explained to her that her meal had been taken care of and she looked at me, gave a huge smile, waved and mouthed, "Thank you!" I waved back and said, "have a great day" and I hope she did. I began to wonder how often I was just walking through life consumed by my own tired feelings or worry before beginning this journey of so much sacrifice and care. I know that by the end of this journey, my life will be forever changed. Get active...don't just think it...do it. Put aside the excuses and worries and make a difference. I assure you, a little bit goes a long way. 347 more days of kindness...are you in?

Day 17-A Long Day

Day 17-So others are starting to get in on the act of kindness. A friend of mine cleaned his mother's living room as a gesture of kindness and love yesterday. This was a sacrifice as he is a husband, father and full time employee. Another friend payed for a set of tired travelers at a local Applebee's having a note of kindness delivered to their table at the end of the meal rather than a bill. I am sure they were surprised! Wow! This thing is really taking off! Today was a long day for me, as you can probably tell by the lateness of this post. Some days as a working mother my days feel incredibly long and busy, but now that I am on this journey I am trying to rush less, pay more attention and look for others to help each day in a special way. I had to go back to the office late this evening and decided that I would do an act of kindness for some second shift co-workers. I used to work the shift regularly that they are on and it is a difficult one given the planning, patience and energy required to sustain the programming for which they are responsible. As a result, I thought to myself, "maybe they could use a pick me up." Sometimes we go through our days and forget to thank those with whom we interact every day. I could not do what I do successfully without the support and teamwork of these special individuals and I am eternally grateful for all that they do. I found myself turning into Kroger on my way to the office and decided to purchase some refrigerator packs of soda for these hard working folks as a pick me up and tangible "thank you" for the service that they provide every day. When I walked into the work area with the drinks I was greeted with a smile and heartfelt thank you for the package. I hope every day I remind them how important, special and valuable they are...I try to anyway :). 348 more days of kindness...are you in? If you are in...tell me how and I'll share your story!

Day 16-The Flu and Others Join In

Day 16-Today is the sixteenth day on my journey of kindness. My journey of kindness is to impact others in my own community, around the counry and across the world. So far, my acts have impacted those with whom I interact every day and also those across the world (soccer balls that I donated). Some of my kindness recipients have been known to me and others were strangers. Today my act of kindness was for a family member. In particular, it was for my mother. The flu is going around my community in a serious way and she, unfortunately, feel victim to it at the end of the weekend. When I spoke with her on the phone yesterday afternoon she sounded terrible. I thought of all the times she had taken care of me as a child. I thought of chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, movies, and nurturing care. I decided that I would make a casserole and take it to her this morning to help with meals for both her and my stepfather. Last night I told my son what I was doing and wondered with him if he might like to share some of the delicious gingerbread he and I made together over the weekend. I saw his face and he was hesitant. He has loved gnoshing on the bread and was a little reluctant to part with even a small morsel. After we talked about it, he decided it might help his Nana and Papa feel better and he allowed me to package up several pieces to include in the package of food. I got up and left for work this morning with the casserole and gingerbread. I did not go into the house with them, as I did not want to expose myself or my family to the flu virus, but left the dishes on the porch just outside the front door and let my mother know I brought the items to her. I hope in some way this act provides for their comfort and rest today. I don't want to overlook those closest to me while I am on this journey and want to make sure I offer kindness within my family as well. Interestingly, I noticed on my FaceBook page that two friends, a former co-worker and a colleague with whom I went to graduate school, are getting in on the kindness action with both completing their first act of kindness today. I hope they will keep me posted so that I can share their acts of kindness with you all as well! 349 more days of kindness...are you in?