Acts of Random Kindness to You

First of all, Happy 4th of July. If you are reading this than I want you to know that I appreciate you and your comments. For me today was one of those days where “Kindness” seemed all around and for no apparent reason. It seemed to just be Random !!

First, I was in the ATM drive thru line getting some money and a man approached. Okay, I am the first to admit that it wasn’t his smartest timing, but alas, he meant well. He had gotten out of his car and wanted us to know that we had a brake light out. I already knew this, but yet began to think about the hundreds of people who have probably noticed it and not said a word. People that were in much better positions to approach me and did not. For whatever reason, this man did and for that I felt fortunate.
After leaving the bank, we stopped at the Farmer’s Market with my mom and dad. As I have said before, my father is sick with Alzheimer’s Disease. Most people that know our family are aware of this and the reactions vary from overly friendly to obviously trying to avoid us. I can respect both approaches as it is not an easy thing to deal with even when you are around it every day. However, I am always grateful as I was today when someone seems genuinely glad to see him and shake his hand. He doesn’t know who they are, but for that moment, he is appreciated for the man that he has always been.

Finally, I want to close with a website that I found today. It is something that I think everyone should take a look at whether you are in need or are in a position to help someone else. Wish Upon a Hero is a website that allows just those types of connections to be made. You can go there and send school supplies to a needy child or you can go and ask someone to help with your needs. It is all based on just good old human decency. Will people take advantage? Sure, maybe some will, but I bet the majority will pay it forward and as I always say, it is easy to make the world a better place with one Act of Random Kindness at a time.

Imagine waking up one morning in a little north country town and having the free library destroyed by fire. That is exactly what happened in the small community of Depauville, NY. Maybe it is the reader in me or maybe it is the teacher, but whatever it is, it made me sad.

I hadn’t heard much about this little library in quite some time and then last night on our local news, they finally mentioned that it is repaired and ready to roll with one exception. There are still no books. Oh, not to worry, they are working on establishing some grants and funds and probably are just plain happy to be back on their feet, but in the meanwhile, the shelves remain bare and the library closed.

So, I began talking today with a few of my students. It isn’t my community and it isn’t their community, but it is a north country community nonetheless. I have a few extra sets of brand new books that I had purchased and received and the light bulb went on. So, my students looked up the address to the little library and filled out the envelope in preparation of sending them some books to put on their shelves.

These books by themselves won’t reopen the little Depauville Free Library, but they will let the good people there know that we are thinking of them and wishing them well. Did you find something kind to do today? Big or small, remember it is all about making the world a better place one act of random kindness at a time.