Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Conundrum

Thank-you note - Random act of kindness: Wynn Anne's Meanderings

Have I mentioned the website that we've created in memory of my friend K.B. who died in January 2014? Actually, it was her husband who got it rolling. He started it as a way of encouraging the sort of generosity that typified K.B.'s life.

But we've run into a bit of a conundrum: how to gather stories about random acts of kindness from people who are too modest to "boast."
It seems we've all taken this passage to heart:
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1
Or perhaps we're just too Canadian. I was thinking about that today as I (finally) took another step forward in thanking a stranger who performed a random act of kindness that benefitted me.

Earlier this winter, when temperatures had briefly fluctuated from the zero double-digits, I lost the ice cleats that strapped onto my boots and helped me navigate the treacherous paths without doing a faceplant.

Ice cleats on boots: Wynn Anne's Meanderings

One of the cleats had slipped off the boot and, though Kane and I retraced our steps, it was not to be found. To make matters worse, the store no longer carried those cleats in my size.

Fortunately, Steve managed to find it later: someone had hooked it on a gate post!

For weeks since then, I have planned to buy a Tim Horton's gift card and hang it to the same post, as a thank-you to that good Samaritan. Today, I'm sharing my story to encourage you to "pay it forward," to share your gratitude, even if you can't thank the specific individual who touched your life.

Here's my note:

Random act of kindness: Wynn Anne's Meanderings

I'll be sharing this story on the KindnessbyKB blog as well, in hopes of encouraging others to share their stories of kindness and generosity. Do you have one to share?

UPDATE: Here is a picture of the note left on the actual post.

Random act of kindness: thank you! - Wynn Anne's Meanderings

4 comments:

  1. So nice that someone found it AND left it there for the owner. We are a nice people!! LOL
    I hope they get your lovely thank you note -- even though we don't do nice things just to get praise, it is nice to have it recognized and know that it is appreciated.
    A neighbour of mine always gives my daughter the clothes from her own daughter who is about a year and half older. This may not seem like much to some - but for us, on one income and 3 growing kids: It is HUGE. It basically means that I only have to buy new clothes for my son. I am always trying to think of something nice to do for her, so when there are holidays - we leave a little something on her door. but she doesn't know it's us.

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    Replies
    1. Hand-me-downs -- and especially maternity hand-me-downs -- are fantastic! And what a sweet way of thanking them. (Next time, take a picture and send it to kindnessbykb@tiklogic.com so we can share the inspiration!)

      Delete
  2. That's awesome! Let us know if someone picks up the note.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris, the thank-you note has STILL not been picked up. How curious.

      Delete

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