Random Acts of Kindness

When Jim suffered his stroke in February, so many people lent us a hand or two (or six).  People from all over came to help with the kids, bring us meals, clean the house, donate their vacation time to me at work, you name it.  It was truly heart warming to receive such an outpouring of support. 
As the months have gone on and life has gone back to a sort of "new" normal, I frequently reflect on that time.  I don't just think about what could have been.  I also think about how we, as a family, can pay it forward.  I've always had a charitable spirit, but I wanted to do more.  I recently read a blog post about a women who, on her 35th birthday, did 35 random acts of kindness with her children.  That was what she wanted for her birthday.  This got me thinking.  Oh boy, I know.  Here goes Trista thinking again.  Don't be scared.
So, early in November I decided that we, as a family, would do 25 random acts of kindness in December.  It has felt so good and been such a bonding experience for us, I feel like it's Christmas every day.  Amelia especially has gotten into the spirit. 
Here is some of what we've been up to so far:

• Day One of Random Acts of Kindness in December didn't cost me a thing but a little time. I helped an elderly lady get something off the top shelf at the store. We chatted for a couple of minutes and both walked away smiling.
• Random Acts of Kindness - Day 2: Dropped a little girls book off to a neighbor with a note saying the kids hope they enjoy it. Also, donated to http://www.toylift.org/
• Acts of Kindness in December, Days 3-6: Helped an elderly lady put groceries in her trunk; let somone ahead of me in line at the store; dropped off 13 gifts for 4 children in our community through the Angel Tree at the elementary school. Bought chocolate chip cookies at Panera and gave them to a Mom and 6 yr old daughter having lunch together. Amelia sat with someone at lunch that no one was sitting beside; We are making cards to drop off at a senior home and Jim is even getting into the spirit!
• We have also left a candy treat with our tip for our waitress, given a full punch card (next coffee free) to the car behind us in line at Dunkin Donuts, and baked two batches of cookies and dropped them off to the Greene County Rescue squad and personally thanked the driver that helped to save Jim's life. 

More to come~
Thanks for enjoying this journey with us and holiday blessings to you and yours!

Trista