A Kind Heart

"Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

It seems like I write a lot of blogs about how kind that people have been to us, and I could just write over and over and over again how amazing people in our community have been to us.  And when I write community, I mean that in the biggest sense of the word, because it stretches far beyond the confines of our town and our county, and even our state.

Last Wednesday, I came home to pick Grace up and feed her dinner, and I noticed someone in our backyard.  One of our neighbors was mowing our yard. And it was the best present ever.

It had been a busy weekend and week for us, and we just hadn't had a chance to get around to mowing the yard.  It wasn't terrible yet, but I knew we had several engagements this coming weekend, so it was just going to have to wait. Kyle said he wondered if we would get an ordinance violation from the city.  But one of our kind neighbors made sure that didn't happen.

I stopped back to thank him, and he told me he was trying to finish before we got home from work.  He told me that he thinks about us every day, and this was just one way he could help to give us a couple of hours together as family.  It was a truly special gift, and we definitely enjoyed the time together.

Other friends and family members have brought meals to us at different times.  We just feel truly blessed to be surrounded by love, seemingly all the time.

Since the beginning of the year, I would say Kyle and I have gotten a phone call or an e-mail just about every week from someone who wanted to do a fundraiser for Grace or the INAD study. We have been able to raise a great deal of money for the study, and the staff at Washington University want to make sure we share their thanks with all of our community. Each and everyone of you is making a HUGE difference in the lives of INAD children through your kindness and generosity.

Last week, we got a letter from Zion Lutheran School with a donation to the study of their fourth quarter offerings. Since they made the check out to Washington University, we went ahead and sent it on. I got a note back saying how touched they were by the letter and the fundraiser by the students.

Then, I got an e-mail from reigning 2014 Miss Irish Days Queen Ailie Elmore of Farmersville. She and this year's queen candidates were hosting a 50/50 raffle as part of this year's pageant, and they were giving the proceeds to the INAD study. She asked if we would be there that night, and we said we wouldn't miss it.

Princess Grace and Queen Ailie

Chances are we would have been there anyways to cover it for the paper, but we made a point to make sure that was our assignment. Grace wore her sparkly princess shirt, and we made it a point to see Ailie after she gave up her crown. Grace gave her a thank you smile, and we had a chance to tell her how grateful we were. She smiled back at us, and said when she had to decide where to give the money, that it wasn't even a question. She couldn't imagine picking anything else. How cool is that?!

Then tonight, we got a very special visitor at the paper. I've known the Kipers forever, and their grandpa writes for the paper, so they've always been special to us.  I started babysitting for Kaylyn when she was six months old, and she's now in college. Those of you who like math, will probably realize that makes me old . . . 

Well, Kaylyn brought her younger sister, Kamryn up to the paper tonight because Kamryn had something she wanted to give us. She handed me an envelope that she had carefully written Grace's name on. Inside was a cash donation for Grace that Kamryn earned selling bracelets she made. She told us that a couple of friends helped her out, and that they sold the woven rubber band bracelets at the sports complex. It truly made my night.

And it goes to show you that kindness comes in all shapes and sizes. We have been so touched by all the acts of kindness and generosity shown to us these last few months.  I'm a bit behind on all the thank you notes, but please know that each and every one of you make a HUGE difference in our lives.  You remind us that the world is full of kind people, just waiting to show you how much they care. 

As you go out into the world this week, strive to be kind to each and every person you encounter. You never know how much it will mean to them, and it will make the world a better place to live.

MLH