Random Acts of Kindness

As a crafter and hobbiest, I have found the most pleasure in a simple smile, or a great big hug; something unexpected and special.  

At Christmas time there were several friends and family who decided that every day leading up to Christmas, during the month of December, would be dedicated to serving random acts of kindness. 

One friend saw a homeless man and asked her little boy, "what can we do for him?"  
He answered, "Mom, lets go get him a Happy Meal."  
And so they  did.  The man was so surprised. He said he hadn't eaten all day, and hugged the little boy tight.

Another family picked up a pizza.  They traveled to the poorest side of town and randomly picked out a house.  Together they all knocked on the door and handed the pizza to a very thankful family. 

I don't know if it was a trend for this year, but it seemed to stretch beyond the boundries of my small world.  As we traveled to Wisconsin for Christmas, we pulled up to pay our toll, only to be told that it had been paid by the car before us.  The toll operator had been accepting tolls for the cars to come all day long.  I never saw such a happy smile on a young man's face.  For once he was seeing a thankful, respectful, caring world of givers and he couldn't contain his happiness. His thankless job had been blessed that day and the blessings just kept coming.

I wondered how I could use my craft projects to bless someone. The coat drive was in full swing and as I pondered how I might help, and then it came to me.  I could make mittens. I scoured the thrift stores picking up as many wool sweaters as I could find and began making recycled sweater mittens.  I had decided long ago that every person wanting one pair of mittens would receive two; one for their order, and one to give to someone of their choosing, or to someone in need. It felt so good knowing that these wonderful mittens would warm the hands of a child who might otherwise stuff cold hands into pockets that never seemed to suffice.   To this day I have kept this act of kindness going.  

Thinking about Mexico has weighed heavy on my heart for a while.  Our family owns a winter park model home in Texas, quite near the border.  Every year we cross to buy vanilla and trinkets in the markets.  Every year I see them.  They are huddled and cold, and have little babies wrapped in thin blankets held close to their hearts.  They don't say much, but their little cans sit inches away and tell their stories.  The few coins tossed into the cans might get them through the day and put a little food in the belly, but the hands, the hands reveal their truths.  They are worn and wrinkled, and gently caress the tiny bundles they hold.  They look at me in hallowed eyes void of any sparkle.  They cry out in silent pleas.  Although this is Mexico, there is a chill in the air, and their hands burn with cold, hard poverty.  But what can I really do?  I fear my dollar will line the pockets of greed, not need, but I give.  I only hope the women and babies might receive the food that will warm their bellies this day, yet I fear the worst.  So what can I do?  I will take my mittens.  They are warm, and if I make a scarf as well, it might wrap the children from the chill of cruelty.  I am taking several pair with me this week.  I know that they will do more good for these moms than I could ever imagine.    

This is my random act of kindness for this winter season.  And when I come back home to Michigan, I will take some to the local battered woman's shelter, and to the schools, and continue to give a second pair when someone orders one.

As Spring rolls around I want to continue my random acts of kindness.  I'll start by making dog tags using my stamped washers. I'll stamp them with our city and state.  I can leave them at the shelter for people to take from a basket on the counter.  Perhaps the shelter can put a little donation can up and use any money to care for the lost and abandoned pets. 

Last summer I put all of my extra garden produce on a roadside stand and simply put out a donation can.  My sign said please take as much produce as you need.  All donations will go to the local pet rescues.  I received more money through donations than I ever did selling outright, and no produce went to waste.  It was a wonderful feeling and I knew the money earned would help the 70+ dogs that were rescued from a local puppy mill.  It was such a great feeling.  

Please help me think of some craft projects that will help me continue the tradition I have started.  If you have some ideas of ways to transform new or existing crafts in to random acts of kindness, please leave me a comment.