Mama Diaries

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Random Acts of Kindness Blog Hop: A Little Ray of Sunshine





I'm all about promoting random acts of kindness.  So when E C Stilson came up with this blog hop, I had to get on board.  Let me tell you a little about it.  This is a blogfest about sharing love and joy by writing about random acts of kindness that either happened to you or that you bestowed on someone else.  After the blogfest, Wayman Publishing will publish an anthology from the posts written.  All profit (through 2013) will be donated to charity.  Is that awesome, or what?  If you'd like to sign up, head over to EC Stilson's blog.

Now here's my story:


A Little Ray of Sunshine
 
 
       It was pouring rain. A homeless man stood on the corner with nothing but a backpack and a can for collecting coins.
       As my kids and I drove by, my daughter spotted him. "Mom, what is he doing?"
       I explained he was someone without a place to live and that he was probably hoping someone would drop some money in his can so he could get some food.
       "Can we buy him lunch?" my son asked.
       "And an umbrella?" my daughter added.
       I looked around and noticed a store nearby. "Sure," I said. We pulled into the parking lot and went inside. We found an umbrella, but not much of a food selection. The best we could get was a couple of Lunchables - turkey, cheese, and crackers with a juice pouch and Oreo cookies. "This will have to do," I said.  
       We paid the cashier and made our way back to the man. He was still standing in the rain.
       I walked up to him. "Hi. We thought you could use this." I opened the umbrella and handed it to him.
       "And these," my daughter said, giving him the Lunchables.
       My son gave the man a big grin. "Oreo cookies are my favorite. I think you'll like them."
       The man smiled, and his tired eyes lit up. "Thank you. Oreo cookies are my favorite, too."
       We waved goodbye and headed back to the car. My son took my hand and looked up at me. "Mama, I think we made him happy."
       "Yes, we did," I replied. "It was just what he needed - a little ray of sunshine on a cloudy, rainy day!"    
 
 
 
 
 
And here's a little news about a promotion Wayman Publishing is offering:  Buy any of Wayman Publishing's Books - some only 99 cents - and automatically be entered into our iPad mini sweepstakes!  Visit this link for more info:  http://www.waymanpublishing.com/


Thanks, EC, for having this blogfest!  I think it's a great idea! 

I'd also like to mention that EC is an incredibly talented, sweet lady.  She's a violinist - just like me, and a fabulous writer.  If you haven't read her book, Homeless in Hawaii, you should check it out. It's a true story with some very nice random acts of kindness sprinkled inside!     
 
 
 
 


49 comments:

  1. Great thing to do by the kids and you. Cheating too, not until tomorrow it is supposed to view lol

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  2. Opportunities are endless for these things, if you keep your eyes and heart open. Kudos to you and the kids on this one!

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    1. So true, M.J. Even a simple smile can really brighten somebody's day.

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    1. I am glad we had the opportunity to make a difference.

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  4. You've gotten the blogfest off to a great start, Sherry. Well done.

    Love,
    Janie

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  5. Great kickoff! Loved this story. Mine's going up tomorrow~

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    1. Thank you, Shelly! I read your story, too. It was really nice!

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  6. How wonderful, Sherry! You've got some sweet, big-hearted kids. :)

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  7. I think the RAK Hop is divine! I'm not going to sign up because I just have too much going this week and while it's likely I'll do some kind acts, it's unlikely I'll have time to write about them. I have a habit of committing to Kindness Challenges. I did a 100 day challenge once and this year on my 29th birthday on January 29, I did 29 random acts. It was incredible!

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    1. 29 random acts of kindness? That's so awesome! Kudos to you!

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  8. Wow, what a fantastic idea for a blog hop! Your contribution to it was incredibly sweet--what a great thing for you and your kids to do!

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    1. It's nice when we can make a positive difference in someone's life!

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  9. A wonderful blogfest Sherry, hope it all goes well.
    Where would we be without a little act of kindness.

    Yvonne.

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  10. That's a great thing you did with the kids. I love reading inspiring true stories of kindness like this. Have a great week, Sherry :)

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  11. He had to have appreciated that, great thing to do

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    1. I could tell he appreciated it. I'm glad we had the opportunity to touch his life.

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  12. now that was a lovely warm story!

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  13. Aww... What sweet children you have! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. They are good, thoughtful kids. I'm very proud of them!

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  14. You are sooooo sweet. Thanks for your kind words--that made MY day.

    Your children are going to be such caring and kind adults. I bet they'll always remember what you taught them about giving that day :)

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    1. When I read your story, it totally reminded me of my experience. Your kids are going to be caring adults, too! Thanks again for having this blog hop. It's a great idea!

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  15. How wonderful your children wanted to help someone in need. I'm sure they will be a blessing to the world all their lives.

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  16. Beautiful story, Sherry. There's nothing more divine than helping someone in need. Your kids are little angels.

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  18. Wonderful lesson for the kids, too. Sweet!! :)

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    1. I hope my kids remember this and try to do something similar when they have kids of their own.

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  19. That's a great story, Sherry. You must be so proud. Someone was extremely kind to us once when we were getting ready to move from FL to CT. We used to see him at church, but we don't know his name. He totally stunned us with a random act of kindness and we'll always remember it.

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    1. What a nice guy! I love people like that. They make the world a better place!

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  20. Love this story - what big hearts you & your kids have. Sounds like it was a very sweet man your family bestowed the kindness on. :)

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    1. He was a nice man. I hope his luck changes and things get better for him!

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  21. This is a beautiful story. Random acts of kindness are big in my life...kind of a hobby you might say. I love it most when children are involved.

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    1. You must be a wonderful person to bestow so many random acts of kindness on others!

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  22. Sherry, you and the kids did a wonderful thing for that man.

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  23. Your children were part of a great lesson on kindness!

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  24. What a wonderful story and a nice way to teach empathy and compassion to your children.

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  25. Great story. Funny how kids take to being kind. . . almost as readily as they take to being alien-killers when playing video games.

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  26. Love, love, love this act of kindness! Thank you for sharing and for helping your children act on the thought to love others!

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  27. Oh, such great kids and they didn't even ask him to share the Oreos. Great story. Thank you for sharing.

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