Random Acts of Kindness

My mother was always a good friend all. She shared flowers and produce from her garden with everyone she knew. She shared her baked goods, her knowledge of gardening and her good humor. She got many of these traits from her mother. My mother and grandmother were born and raised in a small town (tiny, really) in central Kansas. Neighborliness was a way of life.  If someone died, everyone brought food. Home baked pies and cakes were shared. My grandmother was always quick to set another place at the table or give a friend a quart of strawberries. My aunts stitched quilts for people. One aunt and uncle shared the fish they caught. People didn't have much in the way of material goods, but they shared what they had.  

I hope I have some of these traits. I do share from my garden and from my kitchen. Always ask if I can bring something, maybe my orange-yogurt bread or my lemon poppyseed cake. I try to keep in touch with friends and I still send Christmas cards.  Give to the food bank. Help my children. Donate to charities. Offer to help out with a neighbor's dog. At work, I mentored junior employees, as I had once been mentored.  

As a published writer, something I do if offer to read other writer's work and critique it--gently. I always wish someone had done the same for me.  

We give of our time, money and our expertise not expecting anything in return. It is simply being human, sharing what we have. My heart breaks when I see the refugee families from the Middle East, the young children, always clean, the adults well-dressed and well-spoken, driven from their native land with nothing. We can show them our random acts of kindness by a simple welcome.  Would that be so difficult?  I hope not. 

 

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Skye Taylor   http://www.Skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Beverley Bateman  http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Bob Rich      http://wp.me/p3Xihq-z4
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Connie Vines  http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski  http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Hollie Glover  http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright  http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/