Kindness
In my Christmas book titled Twelve Days of Christmas, Julia, my heroine, is blogging about her experiment in kindness. What she doesn’t expect is how kindness changes her.
That’s the punch line.
Kindness has a kickback of sorts. When we are kind to others, we are blessed too.
Let me give you a small example.
This past weekend I attended my class reunion. My dearest friend all through school was a girl named Jane. Unfortunately, Jane has MS and lives in a group home as she is no longer able to live independently. It has broken my heart to see the progression of this illness over the years as it has affected Jane’s ability to move and walk.
Because of MS, Jane couldn’t attend the reunion. She sent a message for me to read to our classmates but I wanted to do more to show her she was with us in heart and we were thinking of her.
To accomplish this, I bought a few poster boards and another friend, Cherie, marked them up with notes to Jane. During the reunion I took photos of our classmates holding up these posters which I then texted to her daughter to show Jane that we were all thinking of her. Later, I brought the posters to the banquet dinner for everyone to sign. Sometime within the next couple of weeks, I’ll deliver the posters to Jane personally so she can read everyone’s notes to her.
Jane’s daughter told me how much it meant to her mother to see the photos of our classmates holding them up. That one act of kindness touched Jane and made her feel that she is loved and was missed.
The blessing for me came as I took the posters around to be signed. As a result, I was able to chat and talk with several of my classmates that I probably wouldn’t have taken the time to visit.
The blessing was two-fold. Jane was blessed and so was I. That’s the way kindness works. Such a little thing. Such a surprise. Such a blessing.
Above is a picture of Jane and me from my last visit with her.
Below are the pictures from the reunion with classmates signing and holding posters for Jane!
September 22nd, 2016 at 12:49 am
What a wonderful friend you are! I am sure that
your thoughtfulness meant the world to Jane
and her family!!
September 22nd, 2016 at 3:31 pm
What a beautiful idea! Had happy tears reading about this. xoxo
September 22nd, 2016 at 4:14 pm
What a thoughtful idea. I’m sure her spirits were lifted.
September 22nd, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Hi, Debbie!
What a lovely act of kindness you and your classmates did for Jane!
It reminds me of what my high school classmates did for me 2 years ago. I have ALS and my classmates did the Bucket Challenge in my honor and posted it on Facebook. It really touched my heart!
Your charitable knitting ventures have inspired me to loom knit hats for World Vision,The Life Centers and the homeless. It helps me to know I, too, can do acts of kindness for others in so many ways. Knitting is a good way to show love for family and others!
God bless you always!
Patty Herinckx
September 22nd, 2016 at 7:44 pm
How very kind and thoughtful of each of you!
We did this when my grandson was battling leukemia (in remission now) and we could not be around him! At all family gatherings, we had signs and took pictures and sent to him! He loved it!
September 22nd, 2016 at 8:27 pm
How nice to still be friends all these years later. I am also lucky enough to still be close to my group as our 50th approaches. I’m sure your kindness was very much appreciated.
September 22nd, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Dearest Debbie,
Come Home to Color is SUCH a wonderful source of inspiration for many artist and colorists, ( myself included )as I hope you’ve learned. I just felt the desire to express my appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for you making this wonderful coloring book available.
My sincerest Thanks to you, and all the wonderful illustrators who contributed to this book. Best Wishes and Warmst Regards Jules L. Cote’
I sincerely hope there will be more from you in the not too distant future?
FYI, a full time colorist for past 10 years, with a coloring book collection which exceeds 300, Come Home to Color is in my top 3 favorites!
September 22nd, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Friendship is such a special relationship and you certainly know how to be a true and lasting friend, bravo to a great lady
September 23rd, 2016 at 5:06 pm
I so enjoyed seeing what you did for all your classmates
everyone who participated had to feel joy also. Bless you
for all you do for us who followed you since the beginning.
I have shared all your books with friends. I have only
kept One Simple Act. Much love and Blessed to you.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
What a beautiful reunion story, and a great way to share the blessings of friendship. From the photos it would appear that this reaching out to someone special lifted the hearts of not only your friend with MS but also those who attended the reunion. We need more good news stories in the world because there are many kind hearted people.