Kindness at the Gym

“A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.”

~ Joseph Joubert

Although gym etiquette varies from place to place, I have understood one of the rules to be that the first person to turn on the television set controls the channel selection.  I shared this with my teenagers on our way to the gym recently.  To my surprise, a woman who was at the gym when we arrived asked me if I wanted her to change the channel.

Kindness and a Pom Pom Scarf

“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.”

~ Hubert H. Humphrey

One of my dearest mom friends recently went away for a beach getaway with her family.  And she brought me a beautiful scarf with pom poms, which she knows I love.  It is one of those gifts that when you see it, you feel as though it has always belonged to you.  I was so touched by her thoughtfulness not only in remembering me, but also in selecting something that I would like so much.  

Kindness and the “Cool” Cousin

“Be still and cool in thine own mind and spirit.”

~ George Fox

We recently visited some relatives, including one of my children’s second cousins.  The young woman had recently graduated from college.  When we left, my children said that their cousin was “really cool.”  I agreed that there was something very nice about her.  She had sat with us and talked to my children and to me about movies.  She spoke nicely to her mother, and was very respectful and kind to the older relatives.  She made coffee for everyone and passed it around.  In addition to being kind and respectful, she seemed very comfortable in her own skin.  If that’s cool, I’ll take it any day of the week!

Kindness and a Toddler’s Blanket

“True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer to others.”

~ Alek Wek

Exiting a building recently, I was walking at some distance behind a family.  It appeared to be a mother with three children, one older and two toddlers.  One of the toddlers dropped a blanket.  A teenager walking behind them picked up the blanket and ran to give it to the mother, who was very appreciative.  She said that it was her son’s favorite blanket.

Kindness and Kudos

“If people did not compliment one another, there would be little society.”

~ Luc de Clapiers

At a yoga class not too long ago, there was a young woman who was trouble with many of the poses.  Sometimes she would just sit on her mat.  Then there was a pose that she did incredibly well and the yoga instructor asked everyone in the class to look at how the young woman was doing the pose and to copy her.

Kindness, Serendipity and Words of Wisdom

“A friend is what the heart needs all the time.”

~ Henry Van Dyke

One of my favorite people in the universe is the mother of one of my college roommates.  Now in her early 80s, this wonderful woman has always been a source of inspiration and support for me, especially during my college years when telephone conversations with her helped me navigate some of college’s inevitable challenges.  She lives in another state now and in the last few years, we have visited her a couple of times during road trips.  Recently, I was in another city for work and I happened to run into her at the airport.  It was a very special treat for both of us and we ended up having quite a conversation as we waited for luggage.  The magic of it stayed with us, and we exchanged texts marveling at the serendipity of it all.  In one of her recent texts, she reminded me that good friends are “one of life’s greatest gifts.”

Orange Soda and Kindness Remembered

“A random act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact on someone else’s life.”

~ Roy T. Bennett

I don’t generally drink soda, but every so often, I do indulge in my absolute favorite – orange soda.  Recently, after completing several errands, I decided it was time for the rare treat.  As I grabbed the plastic bottle from the drugstore refrigerated case, I remembered an orange soda that one of my dearest mom friends left for me several years ago.  One of my children had nearly fainted at a school Mass and was carried out by a teacher.  Worried and scared, I had rushed my daughter to the doctor’s office.  When we left the doctor a while later, I found my favorite orange soda waiting for me on the door of my car.  I was overwhelmed by my friend’s thoughtfulness and her gesture put a huge smile on my face after a rough couple of hours.  Some might think that it was a small thing, but the fact that I remember that kindness more than seven years later indicates otherwise.  I am constantly amazed by the lasting impact of kindness.

The Kindness of a Photo Thank You

“Take time to be kind and to say ‘thank you.’”

~ Zig Ziglar

Recently, it was the birthday of a friend of ours who lives out of state.  We sent her a card and a couple of small gifts.  She very graciously texted us to say thank you and included photos of her opening the gifts.  

The Kindness of Sending a Link

“If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.”

~ Winston Churchill

One of the women in my Bible study group, a grandmother, recently sent me a link to a newspaper article on parenting that she thought I would find interesting.  I really enjoyed the article, but I appreciated even more that she had thought of me.

The Kindness of Flowers for a Stranger

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

~ John Wooden

When one of my work colleagues and his family go grocery shopping, they buy a bouquet of flowers and choose a person in the store to whom they would like to give the flowers.  After they pay for their groceries, the four-year-son goes to find the person they have selected and gives her (or him) the flowers.

The Kindness of a Warm Welcome Home

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

~ Joseph Campbell

As I was preparing to get off the plane after a recent flight, a uniformed county police officer boarded the plane, approached the flight attendant and said he was looking for a passenger.  Oh dear, I thought, and immediately conjured up various scenarios.  As it turns out, the police officer was part of a welcome delegation for a serviceman who was on the flight.  At the gate were others, including the serviceman’s family and another police officer.  The serviceman hugged a woman I imagined to be his wife.  Passengers and others around the gate stopped and began clapping.  This particular serviceman was driven off in one of those airport carts.  Then as several others in uniform got off the flight, people continued clapping.  I found myself becoming a little teary and was surprised at my reaction.  And then I saw a businessman, briefcase in hand, watching the scene unfold with misty eyes.  Appreciation for those who risk their lives so that we can enjoy ours is a powerful thing.

Kindness and a Room Key

"When you're busy, avoid taking the quickest action.  Instead make the extra effort to truly serve the customer."
-- Marilyn Suttle

On a recent business trip, I arrived at the door of my hotel room only to find that my room key did not work.  I tried it several times as I did not relish the prospect of carting my bags back to the hotel lobby.  A colleague of mine was walking out of her room several doors down and when I shared what happened, she said she would tell the front desk as she was on her way to the lobby.  I was pleasantly surprised a few minutes later when the front desk clerk ran toward me with apologies and a room key that worked.

The Kindness of a Thoughtful Colleague

"Be honest, be nice, be a flower, not a weed."
-- Aaron Neville

As I prepared to go out of town for a business meeting, I remembered that I needed to check the weather in my destination city.  Before I managed to do it, an email arrived from a colleague in another state with the weather forecast for the city in which we would be meeting.  I wasn't surprised -- this is the same colleague who is always thinking of others.  At a prior meeting, he showed up with chocolate bars for all of us.  At another meeting, he brought personalized labels for each of our computers so that we could easily identify our devices.

Kindness and a Teenager

“I appreciate anything thoughtful.”

~ Hillary Rhoda

On a recent morning when I was scheduled to travel for work, one of my dearest mom friends texted me to let me know that she was thinking about me and that she would be praying for me.  I was surprised that this mom remembered as she was out of town on vacation with her family.  When I told her that, she said that her teenage daughter had reminded her.

Kindness and a Drive By

“Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.”

~ Harold Kushner

One of my mom friends was going away for a week with her family.  On the morning of her departure, she texted me to see if I was home.  Yes, I replied.  On their way out of town, she and her family came by our house and dropped off some food that she thought we might like.

Kindness and a Name

“Doing good holds the power to transform us on the inside, and then ripple out in ever-expanding circles that positively impact the world at large.”

~ Shari Arison

A woman I saw at church shared that she had recently been at the grocery store and had greeted one of the gentlemen who bags groceries by his first name.  She had read it off his name tag.  The gentleman was very surprised and told her that no one had ever greeted him first or used his name at work.  It was a small kindness that made the gentleman’s day, but it also buoyed the woman’s spirits.

Kindness and a To-Go Box

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

~ Aesop

At a restaurant recently, I asked the waiter if I could take home what was left of my dinner.  He brought me a box and a bag.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to get the creamy pasta dish – of which I had quite a lot left – into the container.    I contemplated sliding the pasta into the box.  It also occurred to me that I might ask for a spoon.  Without realizing it, I sat staring at my dish and the box, trying to figure out how to transfer the food without making a huge mess.  Another server came by and asked me if I wanted him to take care of it for me.  And off he went with my pasta dish and returned with it all packed up.  A small thing, but I was grateful.

The Kindness of a Quick Reply

“Lennon was very helpful.  What he taught me seems completely obvious: he expected people to treat each other well.”

~ Annie Leibovitz

I recently sent out a work email that needed replies from others.  I was pleasantly surprised that several people responded right away.  Given how much information we all receive and the competing items requiring our attention, I appreciated the quick responses.

Kindness and Lunch for the Handyman

“Treat others as you wish to be treated.  Don’t just be nice, but be kind to other people.  That can be so rewarding.”

~ Mary Lambert

A friend of mine recently had a handyman working at her house.  When lunch time rolled around, she asked the handyman if he was taking a lunch break.  No, he said.  He was planning on working through lunch.  So my friend went to the store and got lunch for her family and the handyman, and the handyman and her husband ate lunch together.

Kindness and a Bible

“Put your nose into the Bible everyday.  It is your spiritual food.  And then share it.  Make a vow not to be a lukewarm Christian.”

~ Kirk  Cameron

Years ago, I had an intern at work who was the son of a professional colleague.  A very nice young man, he was in high school when he began working with me and we stayed in touch after he went to college.  Sometimes, he would come by my office when he was on a college break.  On one of those visits, he gave me a small, worn blue Bible that he carried with him.  Over the course of several moves, I lost track of that Bible, which I had treasured.  I was delighted when my husband recently found it and gave it back to me.  It reminds me of that young man’s friendship as well as the faith that we share.

The Kindness of a Birthday Drawing

“You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.”

~ Brad Garrett

A young man we know, a teenager, was celebrating a birthday.  The much younger brother of one of his friends made a beautiful drawing for him with several items that represented the birthday boy’s life.

Kindness and a Rerouted Call

"The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be nice to everyone and always smile."

~ Ed Sheeran

I recently called one of my children's schools to inquire about a form that I thought I needed to fill out.  The first person I reached said that she did not have the information, but that she would connect me with someone who might be able to help me.  Given that it is mid-summer, I was expecting to find a dead end.  Instead, I was connected with an incredibly helpful person who thanked me for calling as it had reminded her of something she needed to do.  Then she proceeded to give me additional and very helpful information about other forms that I needed to complete -- information that clearly did not fall within her purview, but that was incredibly appreciated by me.

The Kindness of a Congratulatory Text

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

The other day, I received a text from the mother of one of my dear mom friends who lives in another state.  My mom friend had told her mother, who is the queen of order and organization, that both she and I were decluttering and organizing our homes.  Her mother sent me a very sweet text congratulating me on my efforts and saying that she wished she were here to help us.  It was like receiving a gold star.

The Kindness of a Warm Greeting

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

~ Mother Teresa

The other day, we ran into one of my children's First Grade teachers.  She was at the same restaurant where we were having dinner.  I told my son to go and say hello, but he really did not need the encouragement.  Every time that we see his former teacher, she greets him with a big smile and seems excited to see him.  She asks how he is doing -- all this even though he has not been at the school where she teaches for more than three years.  I know that her warm greeting makes him feel special and remembered.  

The Kindness of Good Company

"Laughter is an instant vacation."

~ Milton Berle

I recently spent most of the day in the company of a group of teenage girls.  Thankfully, they are all polite and easy to be around.  One of the girls rode with me in the front seat and I welcomed her company.  She is funny and we have great conversations.  At one point in the afternoon, we parked outside of a store to wait for two of the girls to run an errand.  My front seat companion showed me funny videos -- some naturally included cats.  I laughed the way one does when doing nothing with a good friend.

Kindness and a Mango Key Lime Pie

"Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness."

~ William E. Gladstone

Mango key lime pie -- who knew?  But the other day, one of my dear mom friends texted to ask if we wanted some as a relative had brought the pie to her house.  Needless to say, I said yes and we were treated to the typical Florida treat with a twist.  It was delicious.

Kindness and Hospitality

"Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels."

~ Hebrews 13:2

I recently heard a beautiful homily based on a reading about hospitality in the Gospel of Matthew.  The priest talked about how the concept of hospitality has changed since the time of Jesus when you would welcome the stranger traveling into your home for a meal or the night.  She talked about what hospitality might mean today in our various communities.  She said it could be as simple as helping parents of young children or spending time with someone who needs to talk.  She left us with the question: What are we called to do for each other?

The Kindness of a Push

"I've been helped by acts of kindness from strangers.  That's why we're here, after all, to help others."

~ Carol Burnett

The community in which we live has a small town parade every year.  It includes a few homemade floats, a couple of marching bands, and residents in decorated cars and golf carts.  At today's parade, there was a beautiful white old car -- it reminded me of something out of the Great Gatsby era -- that suddenly had smoke coming out of its hood.  The car stalled and the man and woman who had been riding in it got out and began pushing.  In a matter of seconds, a group of parade spectators rushed to the car and helped to push it off to the side.

* * *

During our Fourth of July parade as I watched people marching and dancing and talking and laughing, I could not help, but think -- and silently thank -- all those people whose bravery and kindness made and continue to make days like today possible for all of us. Happy Fourth of July! 

The Kindness of a Delayed Call

"I appreciate anything thoughtful."

~ Hilary Rhoda

My daughter was going to her best friend's house recently.  Her friend's mother, one of my dearest mom friends, asked me if I would mind picking up food she had ordered from our local pizzeria.  No problem -- it was on my way.  After I delivered the food and my daughter, I was driving a few miles away from our neighborhood to run errands.  My friend called me about 20 minutes after I had left her house to tell me that the pizzeria had left out part of her order.  I told her if I was closer I would go to get it.  "I know my people," she said, "That's why I didn't call you right away."

Kindness and a Necklace Delivery

"Goodness is about character -- integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like.  More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people."

~ Dennis Prager

Several years ago, I gave a friend a very simple necklace -- a tiny silver cross on a thin gray silk thread.  My friend, who lives in another city, wore it all the time and really liked it.  Recently, she texted to say that somehow it had disappeared and she really wanted another one.  I first looked on the Internet to see if I could find it or something similar.  Then I texted a local friend from whom I had bought the necklace, although I knew that she had gotten them from someone outside the state.  As luck would have it, my friend shared that she had several left.  She was leaving the country for a couple of weeks the next day, but she offered to come by my house and drop it off for me.  As soon as I had the necklace, I texted my friend who had lost hers and included a photo of what I planned to send her.  

Kindness, a Teacher and Poetry

"Teach your children poetry; it opens the mind, lends grace to wisdom and makes the heroic virtues hereditary."

~ Walter Scott

"Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life.  The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic say."

~ Lord Byron

I recently came across a weathered book on my shelf.  I was amazed that I still had it.  It was the book we used in a class I took in high school several decades ago -- Romantic and Victorian Poets.  I'm not sure how I ended up in that class, but I do know that the soft-spoken, gentle nun who taught it instilled in me a love of poetry and furthered my fascination with the English language and writing.  A few years later while in Greece with my mother, I made her join me in finding Lord Byron's name etched in the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon outside of Athens.  It was a cold and windy day, but I was determined to find the poet's name.  I probably never thanked the kindly nun for the impact that her teaching had on me, but it is a part of me all these years later.