Stories of Kindness from Around the World

BUTTONS FOR BENJAMIN
365+ Small Acts of Kindness

Getting outside has felt like I'm riding a huge wave. So many things are happening!

Friday to Today

Voice and Sight
Met a young blind writer and -- finally after about 50 takes -- finished recording the first story she sent me. Voicing for someone else is 100x harder than doing my own stuff. I'm learning a lot! I'm really grateful for our connection and I hope this will help her keep writing. She's very good! We'll be doing as many stories as she needs about once a week. These are stories she wrote when she was a teenager before she went blind. I told her I would make sure to get at least one in a week until done, maybe more as I get better at it. She said when she read that she started crying. My heart just went out to her.  I told her that I was very grateful for this chance since I was learning so much.  I created a video from the audio so I could go over the liner notes easier myself in case she has any changes.  I don't know how to engineer sound equipment yet but I can video.

Maybe this is something I can do for others who are blind. I'll research it. It's so strange (or not). I recently met a new friend who lives near me, also via Simbi, who is also blind. I can't imagine how difficult life would be without sight. I constantly say stupid things without thinking. Like today I asked my young client if she had a Pinterest account. She responded simply, "Sadly, no." Then I realized, "What the heck good would a picture site be for a blind person?!" I am still mortified over that one. I apologized of course.

The other day when driving my local blind friend home, I said, "Wow, those clouds are gorgeous!" I constantly remark about the sky to my family. Then I realized -- oh no. She can't see that. She used to be able to. How hard that must be for her. I apologized and she was very gracious. It's amazing how little we know about anyone until we walk with them a little way.T

(Today) Little Buccaneer!
A little boy (J) in Tampa loves the Buccaneers. I sent him a Buccaneers throw today. His mom helped me get my site, under1000skies.org up and running through a deal on Simbi. I asked her to consider allowing me to do something for her the SAoK list. She asked me to send something to her 5-year old son. I got the crafting things I need for what I've planned, but meanwhile, I wanted to send something right away.  It might take a bit to figure this out. I'm also going to send along a Teddy Bear Club Certificate too for J and his teddy bear, Boomer.

(Yesterday) Bus Stop Friendship
I was waiting for my son to finish grocery shopping. I parked in the shade. I can't walk atm until my foot heals. Not much anyway. I overheard a man who was pacing near the bus stop. He was saying that he would not be on time because the bus wouldn't be there until 2:30. I hobbled over with my walking stick (it's cool! It has a wolf on it) and smiled and waved.

"Did you need a ride somewhere?" I asked.

"Oh...no. Are you Uber?" he asked, puzzled.

"No, I'm a mom. I just overheard you say you were late to something and it sounded important. I am sorry I didn't mean to pry, but if you need help getting there, I can take you," I said.

He just sort of blinked at me for a moment, then said, "You...that's amazing. You're like an angel. But no thank you! I am fine. But what a beautiful spirit you have!"

I told him I knew how it felt to be waiting for hours in all weather for buses, that my youngest son and I had done that for years. It was very warm yesterday also, so I offered him a tea I didn't touch (the server gave me by mistake - sweetened). He said he doesn't drink sweet tea either. Then I explained about Buttons for Benjamin. I thought he was about my Benny's age, but he said he has children Ben's age. So he's quite young looking - probably from avoiding sugar! =) He said he was very sorry to hear about my son and how hard that would be for him and his family too if it happened.

We sat down on the benches at the bus stop. Then I learned his name is Ty and he's from New Orleans! Then we started talking about jazz. I gave him one of my cards with the info about Benny. I said that my number was on it and please call if he was ever stuck for a ride.

"I'll call you because I would love to talk! But I won't need a ride. I have a car. I'm just a bit...er, frugal. I like to save money and gas costs a lot!" I agreed.  And by the time his bus came, I felt like I had made a new friend. It was amazing.

(Yesterday) WaWa War Vet
A man approached me while I waited in the car for my son to finish in the WaWa (a convenience store near us).  It felt so good to feel the sun on my face and my eyes were closed. He cleared his throat so I was a bit startled. He looked like he had been sleeping rough for a while.  He said he and his wife were traveling back to Virginia and had their grandbaby with them. He told me he had served for years and was a vet and that he hated to ask, but could I help him with gas money and money for diapers. I gave him all the cash I could find on me, only about $8 and thanked him for his service.  

(Yesterday) Ty's Kindness
My new friend Ty^ told me about something he did recently.  He was having supper at a local restaurant and noticed three women in uniform. He paid for their meals and gave them all $20 he said.  "I saw people taking out their phones to record this and I asked them to please not do that.  That's not why I was doing it."  He said the women really appreciated it and knew he did it out of gratitude for their service. 



(Today) Infinity Poems
I wrote two more poems for someone who described what she would like. I was nervous about it since you never know -- it's so different for someone else. She was really pleased. I made both into graphics using one of her artistic infinity symbols.

(Today) Great Advice from Wise People
J's mom also gave me so great advice about getting some possibly paid gigs for voice. When I said I wasn't sure my voice qualified anymore, that it had aged, she said, "Older voices are needed! Never give up on your dream!" So I made the graphic (above) and printed it out. She loved it so much she signed it and sent it back as a PDF. =) I'm going to put it in our sound studio. This is mainly my son's dream. I'm doing this research for both of us. But his interest piqued mine! So -- why not, right? We'll be doing the children's story video together for my granddaughters.  I love working with him. He's been with me literally every day of his life for 28 years except for of course when he was at school. His father was never in the picture. When he got sick, first with the hole in his heart, then the facial problems requiring specialists, he needed so many doctor visits so I homeschooled him since the 4th grade.  When I got sick, he took care of me. He's been my caretaker for years.  I feel so guilty sometimes about needing him, but he has never complained. He says he enjoys being home. He's such a great cook!   I'm very proud of him.  But I want him to soar, you know? I love his friends and they'll be moving in together soon, so I'm determined to prove I can do this on my own now.  Every day, getting stronger.  But boy I will miss him.


♥.