Kindness, Memories and the New Year

"Life is short,

And we do not have much time

to gladden the hearts of those who

make the journey with us.

So... be swift to love,

and make haste to be kind."

~ Henri Frederic Amiel

Earlier today, I heard someone talking about his nostalgia for the wonderful moments of the year gone by.  My best memories are generally those where kindness has played a role.  As we move into a new year, let us find ways to gladden the hearts of those on this journey with us.

Kindness and Shopping

"Sharing is good, and with digital technology, sharing is easy."

~ Richard Stallman

I have a friend who is a great shopper -- great in the sense that she finds the best prices for items that she and her family need.  A bonus of her savvy shopping is that she graciously shares those finds.  And frequently she will call me from a store to ask if I need whatever she is buying.  Most recently, she was on holiday travel and texted me to ask if I needed some items that she was purchasing -- I did.  And so she bought them for me.

The Kindness of Spreading Good Cheer

"The man who radiates good cheer, who makes life happier wherever he meets it, is always a man of vision and faith."

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

My mom friend visiting in Boston wrote to share that they have decided that whenever they go to a coffee shop, they will look for someone who might need a coffee and a bagel, and buy it for that person.  Nothing like spreading a little good cheer...

The Kindness of Recognizing Humanity

"Human life has meaning only to that degree and as long as it is lived in the service of humanity."

~ Wole Soyinka

A gentleman I have known very well for more than 20 years recently surprised me when he shared that he says hello to everyone -- whether he knows them or not.  Really?  I asked him why.  "I want to recognize the humanity of each person," he said.  This is the same gentleman who keeps 15-20 umbrellas in his car to give to people on the street when it rains.  He was quick to tell me -- at least twice -- that the umbrella idea is not original and that he picked it up from someone he knows.

Kindness on a Boston Street

"Christmas is a tonic for our souls.  It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves.  It directs our thoughts to giving."

~ B.C. Forbes

It was not a super cold December morning in Boston, but cold enough for a 10-year-old Florida boy visiting with his family.  He and his father were en route to a Dunkin' Donuts for much-needed coffee when the boy saw a homeless gentleman.  Without any encouragement from his father, the boy went up to the gentleman on the street and asked him if he wanted anything from the donut shop.  The gentleman said he would appreciate coffee and then the boy asked if he would like a bagel or a donut.  The boy went inside and returned with coffee and a bagel for the homeless gentleman.  When his mother heard the story, said she had "tears of joy inside."

Kindness on Christmas Morning

"As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving."

~ Gordon B. Hinkley

One of the best gifts we received on Christmas morning came as we were opening presents under the tree.  Our faraway friends called us via FaceTime and we were able to share our Christmas morning with them for a few precious minutes.  As an old long-distance telephone slogan used to say, it was "the next best thing to being there."

The Kindness of Sharing Good Cheer

"This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."

~ Taylor Caldwell

'Twas a few nights before Christmas

And all through the house

Everyone was still sleeping

Except a bleary-eyed Mom.

Before dawn, she awoke

and through sleepy eyes,

got up to wrap more gifts

for the teachers' surprise.

It was dark and she was tired

And she wondered

how she would get it all done.

When all of a sudden,

a small light caught her eye.

She looked at her cell phone and saw

a text ready to read

from her other-side-of-the-world friend,

14 hours ahead.

She read her friend's message

And was delighted to feel

A smile spread across her face

And a sense of good cheer.

Merry Christmas to all!

And to all a good night.