The Chick is Not Always Funny

Last year I blogged piece that was out of the ordinary for me. Maybe things find us when we need them. I know that I have not been blogging much. Nothing has really struck me until this weekend.

J and I went to the library to check out some videos. While I was there I saw that a lady named Claire was working. She has been there forever. I seriously think that she started working there when she was 15 years old. This past fall Claire's 26 year old daughter died of Leukemia. Since our town is so loopy news of Carol's illness found its way to me in September. Claire and her husband kept people updated on Carol's progress through the use of a carepage/blog. As I read their poignant post, I decided to knit a hat for her. Now mind you, Claire see's hundreds of people a day and I am just another one of those faces. After I knit the hat I felt kind of funny giving it to her, but that changed when one day she was having breakfast at the same place my family and I were eating. I decided to approach her and tell her about the hat. She was so warm and gracious. We decided that it could be left at the library for her.

One day I came home to find a message on my answering machine from Claire, thanking me on behalf of her daughter and herself. I had not seen her since that day. Carol died at the end of November.

Then this weekend I saw Claire and approached her. I told her that I was happy that the hat worked out for Carol. The recognition of who I was set in. She came around and hugged me for several minutes all the while telling me how much Carole loved the hat. They were both very touched by my random act of kindness. She went on to say many other things and we had a memorable conversation.

All of this got me thinking about random acts of kindness. With the Lenten season approaching I think that it would be so much better to look for ways to perform Intentional Acts of Kindness. Furthermore, I think these intentional acts should begin at home and then extend out. How many times do we find time to help people outside our homes, but forget, or take for granted the people we live with? How many times has our spouse taken the brunt of our anger because we know they will take it? So, as Ash Wednesday approaches and we prepare for Easter, I am hoping you will join me in being intentionally kind to people. We may never get the praise and thanks like I did from Claire, but I would like knowing that I am a kind person and my kindness has made somebody feel good if only for a moment.

Claire told me that Carol immediately put on her new hat and wore it all of the time.

Wow, all of that from just a couple of needles and some yarn. Just think what you could do with what you have to give.