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Hope is "the Making of You"

I've had a hard time for a few years now and try to write a little something most days.  All the postings I have made are my writings, so thank you to those of you that have given me such positive feedback.  Thank you for your kindness.

Here's another...penned a few minutes ago.......

An Encounter With Someone Who Wants To Be Heard

Julie and I went to visit a Teen Challenge bus last night. We were going to see if we could help set up. It was a ram-shackle old thing! A mini-kitchen had been installed in the back and the seats were arranged along the sides so folks could face each other and chat. They set up outside a hostel for homeless young people. They do tea, toast, biscuits for anyone who wants to come in. Some of their clients are simply homeless, some have alcohol, drugs or psychological problems. The theory behind it is that if anyone wants a better life, a way out of their current situation, this organisation will help them. If the person makes a committment to attend church and get their "habits" down to a certain level Teen Challenge will get them into a rehab centre. One of the workers said something that stayed with me. ... Read Full Story >>

Bringing Our Family Together For A Special 60th Birthday

Recently I decided to plan a surprise 60th birthday party for my mother.  I felt bad that my brother would not be there since he is in Texas and it would be too difficult for him to get home for a weekend.  He was fine with it though and just said he wished he could be there.

My uncle called and said that he wanted to bring my mother something for her birthday.  He said he was her brother and didn't care that the invite said no gifts.  He decided that what my mother would like most is to have her whole family togehter. So he decided to fly my brother and his girlfriend home for Easter this year.

My mother has not received this gift since the party is this weekend but I know she is going to be super excited about it as I  am. We didn't think we would see my brother and his girlfriend until  at least the is summer so now I am very excited that I will be seeing him in April.

The world needs more people like my uncle to bring families together.

Home-cooked Meals For A New Mom

One of my friends at work ran into some complications towards the end of her pregnancy and had to deliver early at 7 1/2 wks through a C-section.  Her baby is under 4lbs and has to remain in the hospital until more weight is added to her frame. Another buddy and I have planned to throw her a baby shower later this month. It was suggested that the new Mom might prefer home cooked meals in lieu of toys or clothes gifts.  We called to inquire how she felt about the idea..  Well, she was thrilled!  She emailed to thank everyone for this generous offer advising what foods were recommended, since she is breast feeding. Everyone agreed that the food idea was a great one.  We are now coordinating efforts to have these homemade meals delivered to her home when she is home from the hospital to shower etc. to stock her freezer. We know she ... Read Full Story >>

My Son, a Real Gentleman

I had taken my 11-year old grocery shopping and after we had finished he was taking our cart back to the store.  I stayed in the car and noticed that he was helping a woman by carrying her groceries and putting them away in her car...and then putting her cart away too. I smiled to myself quietly.

As he was taking the carts away, the woman came over to my car and asked me, "Are you his mother?" I said yes. She said, "Your son is such a gentleman---it has been a long time since I have seen a kid like this....you are doing a great job!" I said thank you and just beamed, with tears in my eyes. 

When my son came back I played it "cool" and simply said "that was nice of you to help that lady". He replied, "She looked like she could use some help with her bags". I then told him that the lady came over and called him a real gentleman, and how proud I was of him. It was such a memorable moment.  It made me feel like even if I am not around, I hope that he will always take the time to notice others and do the right thing.

He Received A Caring Note and Was Touched Beyond Words

This past Christmas I dropped a little note to a co-worker who was going through his first holiday since the deaths of t
wo family members. I just wanted him to know I was thinking about him. The first anniversaries of a death are always the hardest. They make you feel alone and cut off from everyone and everything. I wanted him to know he wasn't alone.

He wrote back and said that I touched him more than I could ever know. It's good to remember that sometimes it's the smallest of gestures that have a big impact. Blessings on everyone on this site, all of you who have come together to make the world a better place. I hold all of you in my heart tonight. 

Giving my first smile card

Today I received my very first smile cards, and I couldn't wait to share one. I wasn't sure at first what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted my first card to accompany a random act of kindness for a stranger.

Since I was meeting my son for coffee at the conclusion of our work days, I put my first card and a bit of money into an envelope, and wrote on the outside "Have a nice day," thinking I could pass it on to one of the coffee shop's employees.

When we arrived, I ordered our coffees and handed the envelope to the woman who greeted us, telling her as I did so that she was doing a great job. Her face lit up with a big smile and she thanked me, though no thanks were needed. I was just glad to see my smile card blossom into the first of many smiles to come.


 

Smile Cards And Strawberry Pie

I went to the gym with my best friend and her husband. After working out we were hungry, so we decided to go out for breakfast.     While we were talking I told her about Random Acts of Kindness and gave her and her husband a Smile card.    Then came a light bulb moment! I thought, 'I'm treating you two to breakfast!' They said, "No, it's okay!" But I told the waitress to give me the bill, and she did.    I wrapped a $20 around a Smile Card and gave it to the waitress. On our way out of the restaurant my best friend wrapped another $20 around a Smile card and gave it to an employee there.    So, she had started her Random Acts of Kindness! It only takes a spark to get a fire going.   While still at the restaurant I also ordered a strawberry pie for my husband. (He had mentioned that ... Read Full Story >>

Thai Community Kindness Saves the Day in a Remote Village!

My husband and I were serving in Peace Corps in a remote village in northern Thailand. There were many challenges and difficulties, particularly around our housing. We moved into our house this past June. Shortly thereafter, while we were away at a Peace Corps training, the owner ripped out all the surrounding banana groves and the lush undergrowth in order to raise the ground level--she had planned on tearing down our house and building a new one after we left.   She brought in literally tons of dirt. This left our house in a kind of moat, and when the heavy rains came, our house flooded. This, needless to say, was upsetting, but it turned into a blessing, because when he became aware of it, the principal at my school got my eighth-grade class to come help clean up. The boys dug into the moat to drain the water, and built a concrete path ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of Love, Strength and Endurance from an Amazing Sister

From the Soul Curry Column in the Times of India (April 9, 2010) My mom was nearing 40, my dad a few years older and there were their three lovely children just getting out of their teens — it was picture-perfect, that is, until I decided to come along. She was just 20 when I arrived, but from the moment she put her finger into my little palm, I cottoned on to it and knew I had found a friend. She smothered me with love, sang sweet lullabies, soothed a fevered brow, gently scolded and cajoled me out of the cradle and into the walkie-talkie world. My first words were little songs and bits of nursery rhymes. School was a bit hard, because my parents were always mistaken to be my ‘grandparents’, much to my dismay. But she was there and told me that I was not to worry about what the ... Read Full Story >>

A Lost Kindness Opportunity

So today was a monday Morning and like millions of others,  I left home to get to work. The slight difference today from most Mondays was that I was running half hour late and I was feeling stressed about it. 

Just near a major bridge, a car in front of me broke down and I panicked and shifted gear and went ahead, as I was driving past the car, I noticed it was a lady in the driver's seat and the look in her face was quite helpless. I saw her and yet I did NOT stop.

The 'being late' thing was on mind and the fear that my boss will have a comment or two was in my mind and that made me decide to not help the lady. Now I have reached office and feel so miserable.

I am a person who always helps others and this time I did not.

Should I have stopped to help the lady? While I knew the right thing to do was to help that lady at that time, why did the being late to work created such a havoc for me. 

What should one do when faced with a similar situation next time?

Help At A Traffic Junction

At the traffic junction, a woman, holding her child tucked under her arms came by. My heart went for the woman and the child. I quickly opened my wallet and thankfully found some cash to give her. As the traffic light became green, I wished them well in my heart. The image stuck on me for the rest of the day.
We are all one.

A Dollar Can Make a Difference

I was in the lobby of my doctor's office waiting for my appointment. As I was sitting there, an elderly couple came in. The gentleman had trouble breathing and looked as if he was in poor health. As they were checking in at the front desk, I overheard the receptionist say that they were on Medicaid and had an outstanding balance of $1.50. The woman only had 50 cents.

The woman and her husband both looked upset and embarassed. The receptionist said that the balance would need to be paid before they could see the doctor. I was sitting far away from the front desk so I walked up and said that I would pay the remaining  $1.00. They were so thankful and gave me many blesssings.

I always thought $1.00 wasn't enough to help anyone, but I was reminded that day that $1.00 really can make a difference!

An Unexpected Gift of Spices from Grenada

Our office's cleaning lady went through a lot of difficulties last year.  At one point, she had even been hospitalized two times.  So prior to Christmas, I bought her a box of cookies covered with chocolate, which I left on my desk with a note for her.  The next day, I got a thank you note from her.  A couple weeks later, I left her some specialty candies with a little note, and the next day, I got another thank you note from her.  Afterward, we continued to go through these routines a few times.  Over the past month, she took vacation to go back home to Grenada.  Two weeks ago, I took my own vacation and just returned to work yesterday.  As I was walking up the stairs feeling kind of sleepy and stressed because I knew I was going to be swamped with work, I walked to my desk and ... Read Full Story >>

The Wayside Chapel

It was a hot afternoon and I was waiting for a bus. The bus stop was unusually quite that day. There was an elderly man, a middle aged lady and, of course, me.  The mongrels that are usually seen lazing on the footpath were also missing. I noticed they had taken refuge from the heat under nearby parked cars. A lone mynah bird hopped on the road.    I saw an old lady approaching the bus stop. It was a day of superlatives. First the sultry afternoon (the hottest in a long time), then the eerie silence (the quietest silence ever) and now this old lady (the oldest I have probably ever seen).    Bent and slouched she walked with the aid of a stick. As she approached the bus stop I took a closer look. Her face was all wrinkles. But one could tell that she'd had chubby cheeks long ago. She was tired, ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Girl Remembers A Little Smile

Remembering Not To Hold Back

I was new at church and I knew nobody. I felt lonely the first time.  After heading back home I just said to myself that I was never going there again. Another situation came up and I had to go back to that "unfriendly" church again. I was quite disturbed that night, thinking how it was going to be.

Then I thought, ''Why am I complaining now? Why didn't I make a friendly gesture? Why was I holding back?"  

The next day at the church, I smiled at every possible person I met there. To my surprise, I was showered with smiles and blessings. I gave that wonderful smile and got back too many to take home.

Casual Kindness

Colleague mentioned how she and her husband had recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary, which prompted her to research the meaning of "4." In doing so, discovered that "4" was the number associated with perseverance, which of course is indeed needed to be married 44 years!

Brought her this book that I happened to have about that very quality :). Is one of my favorite books and have given many copies away over the years. Happy to revisit it again myself in the giving.

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale

A Cherokee is telling his grandson about a fight
that is going on inside himself.

He said it is between 2 wolves.
One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

An Opportunity to Give

After many months of illness, the resulting financial troubles and the love and generosity of dear friends, family members and even strangers that helped me and my children through those difficult times, my life regained balance. On a trip to the grocery store I spotted  a young couple hitchhiking with two puppies. They were obviously tired and discouraged and had made a sign, which simply read, "Just Food." Praying that they would stay, I hurried into the grocery store and bought a bag full of  nutritious foods, puppy chow for the dogs along with items I needed. To my relief they were still there when I came out. I drove up beside them and the young man approached at my beckoning him. I handed him the bag full of groceries, saying, "this is for you..." then the bag of chow, "this is for your puppies", and then a ten dollar bill, "And here's ... Read Full Story >>