A Special Family Birthday Wish

--by norita1338, posted Jul 19, 2008

My birthday was January 8th. I usually do not talk about my birthday, but this past one was very special to me, so I wanted to share it here.

My family is from the other side of the world and I wanted them to try random acts of kindness to others. So, I decided to email my brother, my sister-in-law and nieces. For my birthday gift this year, I wanted them all to do a random act of kindness - secretly, without them sharing it amongst themselves.

It was amazing to hear about what they came up with. My brother took some old clothes and shoes, gathered some canned goods and left them at 4AM at the door of one poor neighbor. The following day, he was so pleased to see the children wearing some of the clothes he had left at their doorstep.

My niece, with the little allowance money that she had, ordered fried chicken to be delivered to my Mom. By great coincidence on the same day, my sister-in-law had also ordered some food for my Mom from the same restaurant. When my sister-in-law went to collect the food she had ordered, she was surprised that there was more food than she was expecting and insisted that it was not all for her. My niece, thinking that she was the only one who ordered for my Mom, was surprised to see so much food too. What a nice surprise for all three of them -- my Mom, my sister-in-law and my niece!

On her way to school, my other niece encountered a young girl in the market place begging for lunch. My niece did not want to give her money, but bought some food instead and gave it to her.

You must all know that my family is from a third world country, and is poor. On a usual day, my nieces, who get very little allowance money, would rather go hungry sometimes to be able to get a chance to buy some little girlie stuff for themselves. But for my birthday, they chose to give this up in order to do nice things for others. It was the best birthday I ever had, with my heart blessed with gratitude. ARK...act of random kindness, that's what my family calls it.

Thank you for inspiring me.

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves." Amelia Earhart

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Posted by norita1338
Jul 19, 2008
Comments (8)

Readers Comments

laurina wrote: What a wonderful idea for birthday gifts! Just wonderful!

katrina wrote: May God bless u more so that you'll be able to share even more.. =)

maat45 wrote: Some say it can't be done but this is how we, as one person, can change the world! Thank you!

makesomeonesmile wrote: What a great birthday! I love your idea and how exciting you got to know all that they did. I love the quote you posted too. Thank you so much for sharing!

brighteyes wrote: WOW>>>>A fantastic birthday and great idea....love the quote too....I did not have so added to my bulging collection!

AURELIA wrote: Great! I'm so happy that you thought of this idea. Your family must really love you to be able to do such nice things for others in your honor. Happy Birthday to you. :) ~Aurelia

JuneBug wrote: ARK....That's catchy! And so was your acts of kindness. How contagious it becomes,huh?

lmil1954 wrote: Thanks norita and Happy Birthday1 You are blessed to be a blessing! LindaM:)

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