Up.

Hello out there.

I debated whether I should continue the blog after such a long vacancy from postings. And then I read a story that I knew I had to post...

Now that I'm posting... should I address the last 6 months? In the spirit of being a Blogger, I feel like I need to be open, but I don't want to take too much focus away from the actual act of kindness. In short, life has been very eventful the last few months. We lost Dilip's mom a few weeks after Dilip lost his job. All in all, his job loss ended up being a blessing in disguise. We were able to spend a lot of time with family at an important time. We were there for the birth of his first nephew. And around loved ones on the day that would have been Stacy's 35th birthday. We traveled nearly 5,000 miles by car (and found out that we do indeed like spending time with each other). We ended up making a move from the NYC area back to Chicago (Woot)! There have been other obstacles, adventures, and triumphs... and ultimately, we are feeling very blessed.

We're still finding our footing, but I will try to keep posting acts of kindness :) The following story honestly made me cry. It made me feel good to see such a large company doing something so wonderful. Please take the time to read this one...

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pixar-up-movie-2468059-home-show

Receiver of a random act of kindness. . .

On a very cold and snowy evening after working late...very, very late... I discovered that a Snow Scraper Fairy Angel had paid a visit to my car! She had cleaned off all of the snow and ice for me! WOW! I felt such relief and a warm sense of love in my heart after having to trudge through the snow across the frozen tundra of our empty parking lot to see the lovely little footprints all around my car and the windows cleared of all snow and ice. I was so touched that someone did such a nice thing for me; especially after a long day at work. Fortunately I had a feeling that I knew who my Snow Scraper Fairy Angel was and even though it was very, very late I called anyway. To my joy I found out that the Snow Scraper Fairy Angel had arrived home to discover a freshly cleared driveway courtesy of the Awesome Neighbor Who Does Nice Things Fairy Angel! WOW, do a kind deed and bam! have one done for you. It was so nice to witness the Kindness Begets Kindness Karma. THANK YOU SNOW SCRAPER FAIRY ANGEL!!!

And thank you Robyn for giving me a place to go to when I need a warm feel good pick-me-up. Your blog rocks!!

Very Young Girls

I saw a documentary "Very Young Girls", which is about teenage prostitution in New York City. It was really hard to watch. They said that the average age of a girl entering prostitution is 12-14 years old.

The documentary features a program called GEMS, which educates and mentors young girls that are trying to get out of prostitution in New York. They help girls ages 12 to 21.

I donated $50 to this organization in Stacy's memory: http://www.gems-girls.org/index.html

Merry Christmas

Is it a stranger in need, or a moment of opportunity?

How many times have you seen some one that could possibly use a hand, but just keep on your way thinking "They'll be ok". Sadly, I've done it many times... either it wasn't convenient timing, or I saw them too late, etc. But how could our help affect those people who need it? To consider that you have the power to give someone hope or happiness, just by offering a hand is pretty amazing.

Below are acts from two thoughtful people who stopped to help....

I helped a lady who was broken down during a rain storm.

Yesterday, I was driving to the location where I volunteer for WINGS (an organization that provides assistance to woman and children who are victims of domestic violence and/or homelessness). Anyway, I was driving round a corner and I noticed an elderly couple in their garage/driveway. The husband was sitting on the ground in a crumpled sort of way and the wife was trying to help him get up by bringing him a chair to use to pull himself up. I stopped and asked if they were okay and if they needed some help. They declined. They looked like they could be successful, so I slowly drove on. Something told me to stop and wait and see. I stopped a house or two down so that I could observe if he was able to right himself. When it looked like they really did need help I turned around and went back. As I got out of my car, their neighbor, who had just arrived home, came over and between the two of us we were able to pull the poor old guy up and get him into a chair. Of course I had to tease the old guy a bit about being more careful the next time he was running around after his wife. Funny, because his walker was right there. Evey one laughed a little and the upsetting situation was diffused. Both couple and neighbor were grateful that I stopped. I felt good about myself too, for stopping and then having the foresight to stop and observe the situation further and then turn around and go back to help. It was a simple thing to do. But, I wondered how many people had driven past them before I stopped. I spent the rest of the day helping the kids in the WINGS program pick out free Halloween costumes. So, it was a good day for me. I was rewarded with absolutely beautiful, unseasonably warm weather so that I could drive around with the top down on my car for one more time this year.

Receiver of Kindness...

I think a lot of people can relate with some part of this story. I hope the man in it IS blessed. Read on.....

Money has been really tight lately. REALLY tight. We've been trying to find new ways to conserve our spending. It makes it hard when even grocery prices are getting higher and higher. After months of buying only the bare minimum, I was able to go grocery shopping today with more than enough money in my account. It felt good to be able to buy fruit, chips for lunches, and the cage free eggs. And it felt good to do so without feeling worry or guilt.

I had gone to a nearby grocery store that is not my normal place to go... but it had the best deals currently, so I went. I had noticed strange railings in front of the store on my way in, but it didn't occur to me what their purpose was until I left.

All in all I spent $111. And I got a lot of groceries for it. And then I met the railings again. Apparently, the store has put these railings up so people cannot steal the grocery carts. They also cannot take their grocery carts into the parking lot. You have to try and carry everything to your car yourself, or drive your car up to the sidewalk to unload the groceries there. Of course, the latter means leaving your groceries for anyone to take.

A man was standing outside, and asked me if I needed help. I cheerfully replied, "Oh no, I can manage" (as I was slinging bags over my arms with only a cart full of groceries to go). His reply was, "I insist, you don't have to pay me anything". I felt so humbled, because I didn't have anything to give him anyway. He started to pick up some of my bags, and I accepted his offer with a lot of appreciation. When we got to my car, I asked him if he was ok with groceries, and offered him some food. He said "No, God blesses me in other ways".

I know that this isn't the "thank you" he deserves... but maybe his kindness will inspire others.

What a great idea for a Holiday gift exchange!

Our group decided to forgo our usual Christmas gift exchange this year. We are donating underwear to the needy and homeless. Each is to bring their own size so there will be a good selection. Also, we are bringing toys, mittens and hats for kids to take to a shelter. Stacy was always excited to take a ornament off the "Angel Tree" each Christmas (buy a gift and return it for a child who otherwise would not receive one).

Food for hungry children and their families

This e-mail is sad and hopeful. And I think it is a problem that will become more and more common. If you can't, or don't want to, contribute to the below cause, maybe we could all look into our pantries or wallets to donate to our local food shelters....

The "Lend-a-Hand" program was started by the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, SD. Their mission is to raise $225,000 for the BackPack Program run by the Sioux Falls Food Pantry. Because the newspaper covers all administrative costs, every tax-deductible donation goes to the charity.

This program sends backpacks filled with food home with children for the weekend. My mother's church, Hillcrest Church, helps out with donations. They are asking their members for their help. The church will double their member's donations for the backpack program. I just heard on the news that Sioux Falls has 600 homeless children.
These children receive free lunches at school, but sadly go hungry over the weekend. A lady from the the Food Pantry talked at Mom's church this weekend. She was telling a story of a little girl who was so proud to be taking food home for her family and best of all her little brother would be able to eat breakfast the next morning.

To donate to this worthy cause please send contributions to:

Lend-a-Hand/Argus Leader

Attn: Rhonda Robb

Box 5034

Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5034