Friday afternoon I was on my way to pick up Kate when I heard the news about Newtown, CT. I pulled into Starbucks to get a hot chocolate to bring to my girl. At the drive-thru window I was handed a gift card and some candy along with a note explaining that this "random act of Christmas kindness" had been done in honor of a loved one. Included was a second note for me to use when I "paid it forward" with a random act of kindness of my own. I cried at the goodness still in the world, and am thankful again today for the inspiration to perform a couple of random acts of kindness of my own. What a gift.
That is what I posted on facebook. I didn't explain how I contemplated what would be the best thing to do with my little note or how much I wanted it to make a difference to someone, like it had to me. I couldn't figure out how to describe the strong emotions I felt as I made my decision, prepared the gift and dropped it off with the note and walked away. I am not sure why this giving felt different. But it did.
Rather than leave a gift card at a store or restaurant, I had decided to get a Walmart gift card and bring it with some candy to the emergency room at the hospital. I figured it could be used there for any number of things, including pharmacy needs. While I was purchasing the gift card I spotted someone who looked like he might be homeless; on the way out of the store I handed him a Subway card and wished him a Merry Christmas.
At the hospital I told the nurses what I was doing, and why. I asked them to give the gift to someone who was maybe there already, who might need something to brighten their day - or - to save it for someone later who they thought could really use it. They smiled and commented, and I noticed how this activity blessed everyone involved.
As I shared these experiences with my sisters they each spontaneously gave me examples of the acts of kindness they had seen, memories of acts done for them, and some "random acts of kindness" they had performed for others. It felt good.
Tomorrow is our last class day alone for Seminary. I am still working on it, but someone is going to get a gift card. The main message will be what Jesus said during the Last Supper, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
I'm going to invite my students to spend the "12 days of Christmas" (and then some) of our break performing random acts of kindness. I hope they will come back and share some of their experiences.
How about you?
