Along the lines of celebrating my 60th birthday with a 60 day kindness challenge, I got the greatest birthday surprise from my daughters. When they asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said, "please do a kindness act for someone in my honor" They took it WAYYYYY farther.
They contacted all my friends and family members and asked them to do the same thing I had asked of them, as my birthday present. Then they asked them to write to them after they had done their 'act' and tell them what they had done. They also asked their friends to do the same.
On my birthday, I was presented with a gorgeous scrapbook filled with pictures and all the kindness acts written out in their own words, telling me what they had done and how it made them feel.
The 'acts' ran the gamut from donating frequent flyer miles so someone could visit their mom, taking out every dollar in their pocket and paying the turnpike toll on a hot frustrating day for 21 people, shorter showers to help with the water drought, bringing an elderly neighbor coffee in the morning, stopping to buy a homeless person lunch, putting extra groceries in a cart and bringing lunch to a hungry person on the street, volunteering at a Red Cross blood drive, bringing fresh strawberries to a homeless man, handing the car valet $40 to help with a dream, and many, many other beautiful gestures.
I cannot tell you how touched I was by this gift, and even more, touched that their young adult friends would participate with such love and enthusiasm. I cannot think of a better gift, with a wingspan as great. I share this story with the hope that many beautiful 'someones' pass on this idea.The joy of it is astounding!!
They contacted all my friends and family members and asked them to do the same thing I had asked of them, as my birthday present. Then they asked them to write to them after they had done their 'act' and tell them what they had done. They also asked their friends to do the same.
On my birthday, I was presented with a gorgeous scrapbook filled with pictures and all the kindness acts written out in their own words, telling me what they had done and how it made them feel.
The 'acts' ran the gamut from donating frequent flyer miles so someone could visit their mom, taking out every dollar in their pocket and paying the turnpike toll on a hot frustrating day for 21 people, shorter showers to help with the water drought, bringing an elderly neighbor coffee in the morning, stopping to buy a homeless person lunch, putting extra groceries in a cart and bringing lunch to a hungry person on the street, volunteering at a Red Cross blood drive, bringing fresh strawberries to a homeless man, handing the car valet $40 to help with a dream, and many, many other beautiful gestures.I cannot tell you how touched I was by this gift, and even more, touched that their young adult friends would participate with such love and enthusiasm. I cannot think of a better gift, with a wingspan as great. I share this story with the hope that many beautiful 'someones' pass on this idea.The joy of it is astounding!!
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- Posted by glinda
- Sep 1, 2020
- Comments (16)
Readers Comments
Patricia wrote: Thank you, glinda. What a wonderful idea! I believe you started a new trend - many of us will be making this a family tradition.
sher king wrote: How inspiring! Happy kindspring birthday!
Bettina Thompson wrote: I shared this beautiful act with my kiddos. They have 2 years ;) thank you for your kind heart and sharing how it led to expanded kindness within your children and your communities. â¤ï¸
Bea wrote: Yes! Love this so much! Wish i had done this- next birthday!
Gemma wrote: Thank you 🙠this has inspired me so much as it'll be my 40th birthday next year xxx ðŸ’ðŸ‘💗
Karen McCreary wrote: What a fabulous idea! I'll remember it for my 97th birthday!
Rajni wrote: This birthday celebration is like kindness celebration. Inspiring others to do kind acts is the best thing we can do for it makes life beautiful for all the participants and chain goes on beyond our expectations. You have done a very good job. May it inspire many more to follow suit.
lindariebel wrote: Well done, everyone!
Nugget wrote: Great example of creative acts of kindness. I plan to "steal" this in the future!
wavingatyou wrote: Spreading kindness everywhere! Wonderful all around :) Blessings <3
