Random acts of kindness

Staunton Braves baseball game on June 17, 2013

There is still good in the world, and there are still good people who commit random acts of kindness. Recent random acts of kindness have directly affected me -- generosity passed along from complete strangers.

The first incident happened last week while out for lunch with a friend at Logan's Roadhouse in Waynesboro. A couple at the next table offered a newspaper coupon to help offset our meal, saying they already had one and it would expire in a couple of days so they wanted someone to be able to use it. We gratefully accepted -- every little bit helps -- and thanked them for their kindness.

The second incident was at Monday's Staunton Braves baseball game. As my husband, sister, niece, and I approached the ticket gate, a couple getting ready to enter the game asked if we had tickets. No, we said ... we were about to buy them. The lady handed us four tickets -- rain checks from an earlier game that would expire that night. We thanked her and she thanked us, saying she was glad they could be used. It was especially appreciated when a lightning storm rolled in 20 minutes later and stopped the game, cutting short our game night out.

Random acts of kindness. They happen every day....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 17, 2013

Valentine's Day 2010 ... random acts of kindness

Remember the angels among us.

Random act of kindness ... thanking a soldier

Our service men and women do so much to protect our freedoms and liberties, and to keep us safe in the War on Terrorism.

A friend and her husband put their money where their mouths are and thank U.S. soldiers in a tangible way whenever they can. Here she shares one of those times and, though she wishes to remain anonymous, she's a die-hard American patriot in the Shenandoah Valley who could be anyone, anywhere.

The best moments I ever experience is when I can pay for a soldier's meal anonymously. My husband and I have been blessed with a very good life in, and for, this beloved country of ours. So that is a way we can give back just a tiny bit.

Not long ago I was sitting in Cracker Barrel and a single member of the military entered and was seated not too far from me. He was in camos and I worried that he was being deployed, probably, I thought, to Fort Bragg and then off to Iraq. So I asked my server to give me his bill, not to tell him anything more than that a grateful conservative Republican woman thanked him for protecting her and her family.

So I paid the bills and left. Before I could leave the parking lot here he came, running, and he caught up with me. I was not happy with the server because she was not supposed to have told him who I was, I wanted no thanks, I wanted to thank him.

In any case he found me and just insisted that I come in and sit with him a bit. Which I did.

He was not being deployed ... he had just recently returned home. He was on his way to Fort Bragg and was going to be helping other military personnel deploy. He was so sweet, decent, and appreciative of that inexpensive meal and he gave me his email address. All of a sudden he had someone that he knew appreciated his work as he was planning to stay in the service which he had joined right after 9/11. He told me what his job had been while overseas.

He talked about those who were left behind. He talked about those who left arms and legs behind and were now trying to learn to live without them.

It was a remarkable half-hour and I was so honored to sit there with him and hear his story. All for a few dollars ... and a quiet personal vow to fight all the people, foreign and domestic, who want to destroy this country and to help the wonderful young service men and women who give so much and expect so little from us in that fight.

What a special gift he gave me and continues to give our country.

This friend constantly reminds me of small blessings that rain down from heaven. I believe she was a blessing to that young soldier that day ... and he was a blessing to her.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." --Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Random acts of kindness ...

Stacy over at Smart Girl Politics, a coalition of conservative women bloggers of which I am a member, has a great post up urging all to participate in random acts of kindness throughout the year ... but those acts of kindness may be even more touching during the holidays. She calls it "pay it forward" after a movie of the same name:

... a small boy ... starts a nationwide movement by doing one small good deed for someone in need. The only thing that he asks in return is for that person to pay it forward and do a good deed for someone else. The story continues with thousands of people helping out their fellow man.

Angel trees ... picking up the dinner tab for a military wife whose husband is in Iraq ... paying for a friend's birthday drinks ... sitting in the hospital with a neighbor ... taking a meal to someone who is alone ... corresponding with a military mom who has lost a son ... hugging a friend who is down ... opening your home to those who are alone for the holidays ... sending a card to a military member ... babysitting for a military wife so she can shop for Christmas ... donating to Goodwill and the Salvation Army ... give a large-print magazine subscription to an elderly aunt ... shovel a neighbor's driveway ... hold the door open for a fellow shopper ... drop a note to a pastor, teacher, friend who has stood by you at a time of need.

Stacy plans to provide lunch to the local recruiting station the week before Christmas and, as she says, they have already paid it forward. She writes:

I want to ask that those who read my blog or are members of Smart Girl Politics think of a way that they can pay it forward. Whether you pay for someone's lunch that is in a drive-thru line behind you or buy someone's groceries who are in line ahead of you, find a way to pay it forward for someone. You can even get one of those Dear Santa dead letters at your local post office and fulfill someone's dream.

I have always wanted to pay it forward and this Christmas I will finally complete the mission. If you choose this mission, I would love for you to come back and share with everyone what you did to pay it forward.

Random acts of kindness ... they can change someone's life....

Random acts of kindness....

We never know when that random act of kindness is going to touch us and make our day. I was the recipient of a random act of kindness today.

The heads-up email came Tuesday:

Lynn,

One of my staff people is dropping off a small token of my appreciation for your hard work. If you see someone pull up and leave an article at your front door tomorrow, don’t worry, it’s a good surprise! I hope you like it and feel energized for the stretch! Sadly, I am out of town till October 1 and will miss the debate party, but I will be watching.

Thanks again for you efforts!

Kelly
Keldon P. Koblick
Valley Financial Services, Inc.
422 Greenville Avenue
Staunton, VA 24401

I responded:

Kelly, I am intrigued! Even if you didn't leave a thing, the mere fact that you expressed your appreciation is more gratifying than you will ever know. I look forward to tomorrow and whatever will be there at the door. Thank you, and travel safely. With kindest regards, Lynn

Today, after being out and about on errands and GOP runs, I returned home to find a box with a card attached at my front door. Opening it, I found a plaque with the News Leader story about me going to the Republican National Convention that appeared on the front page on September 1, 2008. The card read:

Lynn, Thank you for being of service to your community and country!

And congratulations for making the front page and finally getting the recognition that you deserve!

Kelly, Fauna, Lynne & Sarah -- Valley Financial Services

It was a random act of kindness ... and it came at a time when I truly appreciated it. Thank you, Kelly and staff.