31 Acts of Kindness – Part 4 – The Final 9

I have FINALLY completed all 31 Acts of Kindness in memory of Chaz for his 31st birthday!

And I feel so good about it!

I found this quote from Booker T. Washington that totally fits with what I have been doing over the past few weeks.

What he said is so true!  Performing these acts of kindness definitely raised my spirits during an incredibly difficult time.  It gave me something to focus on and work towards.  And it has really inspired me to continue on this journey of kindness.

Well, if you missed the first 3 posts of my 31 Acts of Kindness Series, you can check them out by clicking on the following links:

Now here I am with the Final 9!

Acts of Kindness #23 though #31:

23) While the kids and I were playing with sidewalk chalk, I wrote nice chalk messages on the sidewalk near our house.  These pictures might be hard to see, but this one says “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!”  It was a long message, so it required 2 pictures to capture it! 🙂

These next 2 messages say “Enjoy your walk” and “Have a great day!”  And as you can see, the kids were having fun coloring the sidewalk too!

24)  I gave a woman with 2 children a bunch of tokens and a few activity passes at a local fun center (a place with an arcade, laser tag, mini-golf, go-carts, bumper boats, etc).  I was there for a work outing and we were each given a card with 20 tokens and passes for 3 of the bigger activities.  I had a meeting before the event, so I arrived late.  A co-worker of mine was leaving as I was coming in, so she gave me her card.  Plus, I had my own card.  I wasn’t able to use all of the tokens or activities on the cards, so as I was walking out, I approached a woman with 2 kids.  I explained what was left on the cards and gave them to her.  She just said “Wow, thank you!”

25) I gave a small donation to D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s , a local organization that offers programs for foster care and adoption.  I can’t explain everything they do, so just check out their website and maybe consider making a donation too!  I had planned on using my novice couponing skills to get a lot of school supplies to donate, but I realized I just don’t have the extra time to get them and drop them off.  So I decided to just send in a monetary donation for the organization to use as needed!

26)  I gave a simple, little gift to a friend who recently had a baby.  This was their second child, so I assumed they probably already had a lot of baby gear.  And since I’m a very practical person, I wanted to get them something useful.  So, I put some disposable plates, cups, and cutlery into a gift basket.  I included a note that said something like “I can’t cook for you, but I can do the dishes!” 🙂  I also threw in some packages of breast milk storage bags and nursing pads that I was never able to use since I had to stop nursing Will.  I know it’s dorky, but that’s just how I am! 🙂

27)  My family doesn’t know this yet, but to show my gratitude for them I will be sending them all something nice in the mail from the kids and me!  If you’re reading this family, then “Surprise!” 🙂  I wanted to write this post, but I won’t be able to get to the post office until Monday…

28)  I donated our excersaucer and baby swing to my mom’s church.  I also gave a pair of sandals I had just bought for Will, but I realized after the first time he wore them that they were too small for him.  They collect these items for young mothers who are in need.

29)  The kids and I decorated more bags for Kids Food Basket , a local organization that provides sack suppers to school children.  You can visit their website to learn more about what they do, and even make a donation!  We’ve actually been doing this since Christmas, and the girls know that they are for the kids who need supper.  They always say “It’s for the kids,” when we are coloring them! 🙂

30) I gave authentic compliments to several different people. This is big for me because I’m an introvert, and I don’t even talk to very many people. I’m also shy, so it’s unlike me to even approach someone to even talk about anything at all. I told a woman at work that her nail polish looked great. I told the cashier at the grocery story that she did a great job bagging my groceries and I also thanked her for it. Basically, it was a lot of small things like that.  But hey, it’s better than nothing, right?

31)  The kids and I made birthday cards for our local Senior Meals on Wheels program .  The delivery drivers give them to the seniors in the program.  I thought the birthday cards were a fun way to get the kids involved!  I just had them color some poster board, which I then cut into card sized pieces and wrote “Happy Birthday” on the front.  I pasted a handprint from the kids on the inside (I included their name and age on it), and wrote “Here is a HIGH-FIVE for you on your Special Day! Enjoy!”  In case you haven’t noticed, I’m big into high-fives! 🙂

Hip hip hooray!!!  That is all 31 Acts of Kindness in memory of my incredible husband for his 31st birthday.  It took me 3 weeks to complete them all, but I did it!

In Part 2 of this series, Sybil from She Lives Free left a wonderful comment that said I was “choosing beauty out of ashes” and encouraged me to “keep choosing joy and spreading joy” wherever I go.  I just thought that was a great way of phrasing this.

Do I still have my difficult days, hours, minutes?  I sure do!  Do I wallow in my grief?  When I have the time, I just might! Are there moments where I just don’t think I can take another minute of the pain of this loss?  Yup!

And I could be bitter about all of this (and at times, I really am!), and spread anger (trust me, I have a lot of angry feelings) to those around me.

But how would that be effective? Just because my current situation can feel pretty miserable, that doesn’t mean I can’t bring happiness to others.  I don’t want people to hurt the way I do, so I will do what I can to help others.

Plus, I have our 3 beautiful children to raise, and I want to raise them to have the love and joy that Chaz had.  So, I will continue to push through. To “choose beauty and joy.”

But don’t worry, this series isn’t done yet!  I still have another post to write with all the amazing Random Acts of Kindness that my friends and family did from the event I set up in Part 1 of this series.  There are a lot of them, and they are good !  So stay tuned!

UPDATE: Check out the rest of this series by clicking the link below:

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19 Comments on "31 Acts of Kindness – Part 4 – The Final 9"

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Kate Kranz
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So proud of you Sarah! 🙂

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thanks Kate!

Susie
Guest

High Five, Sarah!!!!!

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Haha! Thanks Sue! 🙂

Sybil Brun
Guest

Sarah, I am moved to tears and basically speechless but I'll give my best attempt at a comment here ; ) I have to be honest, this post and series truly exemplifies and embodies exactly why I felt called to begin Make A Difference Mondays. I know I'm going to come back to read this series again and again over the years … it just leaves me feeling a whole new level of inspiration that

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thank you so much Sybil! I appreciate your kind words, and I feel good knowing that I can inspire others. Sometimes I wonder if this all happened because I am supposed to turn this tragedy into an opportunity to help others? I guess I'll just have to wait and see… Thanks again for your support!

Dawn
Guest

Dear Sarah,<br /><br />You have touched my heart, first with your smile and then with your moving heart. I can't even begin to know where you have walked but I know God will bless you and others through your journey. I am so thankful to have found your encouraging words today. Praying for you to reap the blessings of being a blesser. <br />In Him,<br />Dawn

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thank you so much, Dawn. I am glad you were encouraged by this post and I appreciate your prayers! 🙂

Sarah Ann
Guest

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! It was such a blessing to find you through the She Lives Free Link-Up. Your strength, honesty and perseverance through a tragedy is a true inspiration to other people. It certainly is a reminder to cherish those around you and to make every minute count. You are an amazing example to your children as well and are inspiring your husband's legacy to live on them as well. Many

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thank you, Sarah Ann! I feel honored to be able to be an inspiration to others. I appreciate your prayers and I will check out your Blog Party this Saturday. Thanks again!

Sarah Ann
Guest

I am SO glad you shared this at the Saturday Soiree Blog Party! I have thought of you often the past few days and think it is amazing the way you are choosing to bless others during a difficult time. I will continue to follow you on your journey with your three beautiful children!!! Please come back and share more at the blog party!!

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thanks so much Sarah Ann, and thanks for hosting the Saturday Soiree! 🙂

Kelly Michelle
Guest

This is such and encouraging and inspiring post. I love how you said you want to just carry on the love and joy your husband had to your children. Thanks so much for being such an inspiration to so many.

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

Thanks Kelly! Trying to inspire others has really helped me cope with this. Thanks again for stopping by!

Talented 29
Guest

Hi Sarah – thanks so much for sharing this post. You are a very courageous, inspirational woman and I have so much respect for you. I love your ideas for spreading kindness and will be sharing them with my students in New Zealand as part of their end of year learning. So your kindness has now gone global 🙂 Thanks again for sharing

Sarah @ Me Plus 3... TODAY!
Guest

That is incredible how far this kindness has reached. Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know! I appreciate it, and I'm excited that you are teaching your students kindness too! Have a great day!

źżłąę
Guest

są cherlawe pokazać suma próśb małżeńskich, plenarnie spośród własnymi, jeśliby odliczają iż naznaczenie się na nie spowoduje im wiadomą przewaga.
Są cholernie zdradliwe zaś jeżeli naprawdę współczesne potrafię ugadać
– surowe. W 4 przykładach na 5 dobitnie ochocze prowadzeniem
rozporządzeń do zebranego inwentarzu.

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