acts of random kindness

My son, a very self centered individual most of the time, actually put this into motion yesterday while we were at the circus parade. The little girl next to me wanted to get up near the front and was too scared to do so. She stayed there with her mom. I was standing to the back just a little ways watching my son who was up front. He was having a great time. Managed to meet 2-3 other little kids and was talking to them and having a blast laughing at the elephants and clowns. He came back to near where I was and was talking to me. He noticed the girl and told her the veiw was much better up front. Then looked at her mom and asked permission to for her to go up there with him. He described in detail how they would get there and where they would be. Pointing out the direction and their final destination. The mom said it was Ok. He grabbed the girls hand and led the way. He took his time (didn’t shove and push his way like he sometime can when he is in a hurry) and stood up front with the little girl. When she was ready to come back he brought her back.

While they were up front the mom and I talked for a min. Turns out it was her aunt and she had custody of the little girl. Mom was in jail for drugs. Dad had been in jail for drugs but at this time no one knew where he was at. The girls life had been great while dad was in jail as mom quite and got her life together. Once dad got out mom went back onto drugs. and when she got arrested dad disappeared. The aunt had to fight to get custody of her. She was in foster care where she was never abused but certainly not loved either.

So it was great that my son reached out to her and led her away from the aunt giving the little girl the joy children should expereince…

I only hope that her life will be as bright as her face was when they came back from the front of the line.

I saw a young lady this weekend at a gas station she purchase gas but only $5, with gas prices like they are I knew she couldn’t get far. So I asked the cashier to add $10 to her order and let her know after I pulled out…

Hopefully she’ll get a little further

I have a friend who told me the most wonderful story. She was down and out had just a few dollars to her name but was determined to give her daughter a dinner out for her 11th birthday. She went to a restraunt, they ordered dinner, drinks and had a lovely conversation. They discussed growing up, becoming a women and even about finance a little. She never told her daught how bad money was but let her know that no they did not have the extra money like one of her friends did. They asked the waiter for the check and he brought our a dessert instead. The mother was worried as it would be one more expense she could not afford but the look in her daughters eyes told her not to say a word. So they ate the dessert, and once agian asked the waiter for the check. He informed her that the bill had been paid, but that the “gentlemen” asked not to be identified. The mother asked him if they were still in the building he said yes, she then asked him to let the person know just how grateful they were. She also wrote a quick thank you note and asked him to deliver it after they left.

It made her day and made her realize that life goes on and sometimes you have to risk it for the small things as God will find a way to make it work.

I also read a story on Beleifnet.com, about a man who did this type of thing, helped a father on his son’s birthday the first one they did not get to spend together as he had passed away. They later crossed paths again the the father purchased the young man’s dinner. They became friends after that.

Now I can’t as of yet afford to be purchasing meals all the time for strangers but I can do little things. Like when passing someone who seems to have had a bad day I say a little prayer for them and their family.

I also want to come up with other ideas that could be just as enexpesnive (sp) I’m thinking that purchasing Mary Kay samples and donating some to a women’s shelter, maybe once a month. Or volunteering at various organization at random.

I want to start crafting to be able to send small craft items to my kids teachers, coaches, neighbors, and friends whom need a lift or as a way to just say thanks for being there.

If you have idea’s let me know.