My family began practicing Random Acts of Kindness way back when my kids were teens. Now they have teens. This year, I decided to make RAKs my focus. With a twist.
CoCo received a beautiful Act of Kindness this year. The train conductor on her short commute surprised her with a generous Christmas Gift. She smiled for weeks with wonderment and told everyone she knew about the conductor’s kindness. However, I initially responded with suspicion. After a bit of reflection, I remembered an observation I got from a friend.
You are a much better giver than a receiver. It takes some humbleness to receive without the intention of paying back.
My dear friend, Nancy S (circa, 1980)
So with that in mind, I am devoting 2022 to recognizing kindness given. I admit it; I feel vulnerable. I do feel reluctant to share. On the other hand, I like taking the time to recognize kindnesses of all sorts that come my way or that I witness.
Witnessing a Helping Hand
Twice this week I witnessed one individual reaching out to another. The first was on Wednesday.
#1: A simple thing really. A woman in a walker making her way out of a quiet room, one slow, klump-shusk -squeak walker assisted step after the next. Kindness left her seat to assist. Kindness was rebuffed as I knew she would be. Still, my heart is lighter knowing she tried.
#2: Before service starts, our pastor asks if we have any visitors. Barbara introduced herself. She’s about my age. Barbara moved here from a nearby suburb. She now lives with her son, she told us. Before I had a chance to introduce myself, someone else approached her. I saw her tears consoled by another kind heart.
A Nod and a Wave
At a four-way stop, a fellow motorist waved me through. This brought back memories of my first introduction to Chicago traffic. As congested as it can get, someone is always ready to let me in with a nod and a wave. One car-length is hardly a huge gift. Yet, it does remind me that we’re all in this together and it only takes a small gift of courtesy to make someone smile.
Into the Woods
CoCo bought tickets for the local highschool’s musical. And then she got sick. Just a cold. I tested her for Covid-19. Whew!
“You and Dad go,” she said. “I don’t want to risk you taking anything to Grandma. (I would soon be on my way to Mom’s who also has been ill.)
Two days later, after her fever broke and symptoms had been calmed by cold medication, Loved-One topped her kindness.
“It’s not too late for you to go,” he said. “It can drop you off and come back and take you home.” CoCo doesn’t drive.
The official Random Act of Kindness Day is February 17. Visit the Website here. “The work to create a kinder world never ends. There is no limit on the amount of goodness we can put into the world..”
Use the hashtags #MakeKindnessTheNorm #RAKday #RandomActsofKindnessDay. Most importantly, “In a world where you can be anything…Be kind.” (And be willing to receive the kindness offered.)
I’ll be watching through my rose-colored glasses for opportunities to give a RAK. And I’ll have my antennae up ready to recognize when I get a RAK or see one.