More on Kindness and Birthdays

"Each smallest act of kindness — even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, a compliment that engenders a smile — reverberates across great distances and spans of time, affecting lives unknown to the one whose generous spirit was the source of this good echo, because kindness is passed on and grows each time it's passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage years later and far away."
— Dean Koontz

I have written before about two dear friends, a married couple, who are among my Kindness Muses.  They live in another city, but have a home in our community and visit several times a year.  In the nearly 14 years that we have known them, we have become good friends and they truly are among the kindest and most generous people I know.

This morning, the woman called to say that she had been reading a book by Dean Koontz and had come across this passage about kindness.  It reminded her of me, and then— she remembered my birthday, which was yesterday.  She felt badly and said, "Birthdays are important!"  And I won't disagree, but the truth is that she is amazing about birthdays.  She always remembers my children's and manages to buy and ship their gifts, so that they arrive with perfect timing.  But we are all human and have forgotten birthdays. ( I forgot the birthday of a very good friend's son a week ago.)  The good news was that because my friend called on a Saturday, we were able enjoy the rare gift of a leisurely chat.

In addition to a wonderful conversation, my friend shared this beautiful passage — which I immediately loved.  Each of the small kindnesses it mentions are ones that have impacted me.  The passage also captures the ripple effect of kindness.  I have the kindness of my friend's generous spirit to thank for the passage and the conversation, and for so much more.  I have no doubt that the many kindnesses this couple shares with others grow and multiply.