I like to write. I have other sites where I have written many a blog; but lately, at best, it feels like that isn't my blog anymore.
It dawned on me that it was time to begin something new. After seeing the recent Julie/Julia movie I thought 'I can do this...' I've written over 1000 posts on MySpace blog - I need to find my passion.
My passion, simply, is kindness.
Tonight I was at the IGA store in Clyde. While I was leaving my van I noted eight children, all blonde, getting out of a very small vehicle with two parents. It dawned on me immediately that all of these kids were siblings.
The kids weren't clean. There's a differnce between dirty because of playing and dirty because you aren't being taken care of. These kids weren't being taken care of.
While walking inside the door I heard the dad say sharply to the mom, "Do you have the f**#%^$ food stamp card?" She responded just as abruptly that she had it. I looked at the oldest girl - she looked about 11 - and she met my eyes. I smiled at her and it took a second before she smiled back. "Nice shirt," I said to her. She had on a cute print tee. She smiled, "Thanks."
I watched them in the grocery store. Twice the dad spanked two of the boys for running around like boys do - they were spending a lot of time at the meat counter. I got my orange juice and headed to the front of the store. Checked out and while I was paying I noticed all of the kids and the dad coming to the front of the store.
I heard one of the boys, "but why are we leaving mom here...." "she doesn't want to look at your a$$es...." I began to walk out the same time they were and the dad grabbed one of the kids by the back of the head and pushed them out of my way. "Sorry, they can't seem to get out of your way."
"No, no - it's okay. I have kids too." "Well, I bet you don't have eight," he replied. I smiled and got in the van. Watched all the kids pile into that very small car. I sat there for a minute, looked to the right of the IGA parking lot and saw the a snowcone stand.
Being the only girl in a family of four - man, that was hard. I can't even imagine being one of eight. Now, there were many girls there - but eight kids? Wow.
I drove over to the stand, told the guy I wanted to pay for eight snow cones, tipped him big for writing out a coupon for me and drove back over and approached the car.
"Can I talk to you?" I said, looking into the driver's door of the vehicle. "Sure."
He got out of the car and I simply said, "I was a kid in a big family - I remember how it was pretty crazy at times. Here's a coupon for eight snowcones. I hope the kids have a great school year."
He looked surprised and the older girl who I had talked to previously had overheard what I said. Her face was surprised - curious. I turned quickly, I heard him say something to one of the boys.
The young girl called after me, "thank you...." I didn't turn around, only waved. I heard one of the little boys get excited and then call out even louder, "THANK YOU!" I waved again and drove off.
So this is my goal - one year - every single day, I'm going to look for ways to be kind. Sometimes it will involve $15 for snowcones. Sometimes, it will involve no money at all. I don't want recognition - I don't want applause - but I hope this blog will inspire others to look for ways to be kind.
Look for opportunities to do good deeds.
... so here we go. Day 1 - Snowcones.
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