School Visit: Part 1

Last week, I was helping my husband clean out his car. I was really surprised to find a box of spiral notebooks in the trunk. I had forgotten all about them... for three years. I'm not exaggerating. They have been riding around in the trunk of his car for THREE YEARS. I bought them at Target when they were on sale for ten cents a piece. I thought I would keep them in my room at school just in case any students needed a notebook. I remember taking one box to school and leaving the other one in his car. I just can't believe that was three years ago.

I dropped them off at an elementary school today. Well, not just any elementary school. I chose the elementary school that I attended. It was a lot of fun to see the inside of the office again. It still smells the same. I think I'll be going back. I heard that my second grade teacher is still working there (which is kind of a miracle since she was old when I was in second grade). She said that I could be anything I wanted, and I think I wanted to be an astronaut back then. It would be really nice to see her and say thank you for being such a special teacher. And, let her know that I changed my mind about the astronaut thing. I'll let you know how that goes.

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

"What a pretty shirt!"

Today was the last of LJ's birthday celebrations. We had a big, family dinner tonight. I knew that I would be in the kitchen all morning and partying all afternoon and evening so I was a little worried about finding time to fit in some kindness. I was actually happy when I discovered that I was missing an ingredient and had to make a trip to the grocery store. On the way, I was thinking about my days as an 8th grade teacher. One of my students & I used to stand in the hallway before his class and take turns complimenting the people who walked by. We weren't really being nice. It was more for our own amusement. I mean, it wasn't mean-spirited or anything, but we handed out some pretty unusual compliments. I wonder what he's up to these days. I think he's a junior in high school now. Anyway, I decided that I would compliment someone in the grocery store. Nice and easy, right?

I wanted it to be an honest compliment. I actually walked around the entire store waiting for something/someone to catch my eye. No luck. On my way out, I spotted a shirt. A very colorful shirt. It was in the Hawaiian family. Bright blue. Floral. Even though it wasn't completely honest, I delivered the compliment anyway. I don't think that she spoke English, but I got a smile and a nod in return. I tried. In retrospect, I think the kinder act was the time I spent at home cooking for my family.


Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

Pizza Delivery

LJ's birthday celebration continues. We had a super fun party at the horse park today. Playground, pony rides, and too much food! We had an entire extra-large pizza left over. I considered bringing it home, but then I thought it would make an excellent act of kindness instead. I walked it over to the barn and offered it to the stable workers. They were thrilled. There must have been some hungry people in the bunch because the pizza delivery actually elicited some dancing. As I walked back to the party, someone ran out and screamed, "WE LOVE YOU!"

You're welcome. :-)

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

Give Flowers to a Stranger Day

It's August 27th, and according to Betsy's blog (The Kindness of Strangers) it's Give Flowers to a Stranger Day. I read about it last night and decided that we simply must get on board. Since I made a gazillion tissue paper flowers for LJ's party this weekend, I had plenty to choose from. On our way out the door, I grabbed a pretty yellow one. It would be perfect to present to a stranger.

Rather than complete this act myself, I pushed it off on LJ. I thought the stranger might be more receptive if it came from her (and maybe I was just a little intimidated about walking up to a stranger and handing him/her a flower... perhaps it would have been easier if I had a whole bouquet rather than one little tissue paper flower... excuses, excuses). So, I told her that she could pick anyone in the restaurant and give them the flower. She nodded her head and said yes, but she never wanted to give it up.

We ended up leaving it on the table next to the tip.


Next month, I'll be ready. I'll be braver then, too. Watch out strangers. Here I come. ;-)

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

The Check-out Line

I know that I told you that LJ was two years old in my first post. I rounded up. She is actually turning two this weekend. We're having a party with her friends at the park on Saturday, and a dinner party with family on Sunday. I spent most of today running around town picking up some last minute decorations and making some of the cutest party favors (possibly ever known to the Universe... they are that cute... for real). When I was in line at Michael's, I noticed that the woman behind me seemed very agitated. There was only one check-out line open, and the line was pretty long. She only had one item so I offered to let her go in front of me. She accepted with a smile and a "thank you." Act of kindness: complete.

I've always let people go in front of me if I have a lot of items and they only have a few. I think it's one of those what goes around comes around kind of things. I remember the last time it happened to me. We were shopping in June, and this incredibly sweet man let us go in front of him. I guess today was my turn. Tag. You're it. :-)

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

PS It's Thursday. I'm still doing the Love Bomb thing. It feels good. Click here for this week's mission.

Helen

This is only half an act of kindness. Maybe even a quarter. But, it's all I've got today. I recently saw an incredibly sweet stop motion video at Kind Over Matter, and I really wanted to make one myself. The video clip below is my copycat version.



I made it for my friend, Helen, who has been diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma and will begin chemotherapy in September. I am going to add more to this clip... it needs some "hope" and "trust" and maybe some "love." When I'm finished, I am going to burn a DVD and send it to my beautiful friend. I had hoped to finish it today, but it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor

In the Parking Lot

It's Election Day. As I was waiting in line to cast my vote for the primaries, I was doing a little a people watching (just checking out my neighbors). I noticed one gentleman who was having a lot of difficulty walking. His wife was helping him to the door. He would take a couple of shaky steps, stop and lean on her, and then take a few more. I made it through the line, voted, and then caught up with them in the parking lot. They were getting into the car next to mine. He was halfway in the passenger seat. She was pushing on his legs. Then, she turned around and put her back against him and pushed in an attempt to get him into the seat.

Of course, I asked if she needed any help. She said, "No. I do this all the time." And, with one final push, he was up and in. As she closed his door, she told me that he was her husband and that he has had Parkinson's disease for eleven years. She said that it was really hard because he can't do anything by himself anymore. He can't walk. He can't feed himself. It was heartbreaking. You could tell that she had a very compassionate spirit. I don't even know what I said to her-- something about being a wonderful wife. She was such a beautiful person. I'm glad our paths crossed today.

Kind Regards,

Your Neighbor