Yesterday my kindness was small, but I've been so tired and busy lately it's all I could do. I brought in several recycling bins on the street that had been left out. I also chipped the ice in our shed to get at the car seat adapter for the stroller I just gave away. It won't be safe without the adapter. Then I delivered it to my neighbour so she can use it right away. I thought it was urgent because she walks everywhere and baby's coming anytime.
Today there were two things. I took my son and nephew to a hockey game. I had a lot of fun too, but it was great to see them enjoy something so special together. I also offered to keep my nephew here for an extra night or week, because my sister just broke her leg and needs surgery. Of course he's welcome to stay anytime because he's family and I love seeing him, so I'm not sure if it counts as a kindness. I'm using it anyway though, because it's been a busy weekend and I've got nothing else.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Friday, 8 March 2013
Kindness 66
Yesterday I helped an older man onto the bus. The regular bus was being cleaned so they were using a very old bus instead. The driver had forgotten how to lower the ramp and there was a man with a walker who was having trouble. I helped him onto the bus and into a seat. The bus was being switched to the normal one at the terminal, which meant the driver had to park behind the buses for the trade. A lady got hit by a bus a couple months ago because she was behind them, so I help the man get to a safe spot on the sidewalk. There are a lot of curbs to get around, so I lifted his walker for him and helped him by hand up and down.
Today my kindness is about local safety. There is a known sexual offender who was released from federal prison and moved to Peterborough yesterday. I am going to spread the word about it and give the link with a picture to everyone I see, so people are aware. He is classified as a high-risk for repeat offenses and it's important for people to know about it. I don't want to post the link online though, because who knows if that will make me a target, so I will do it by word of mouth.
Today my kindness is about local safety. There is a known sexual offender who was released from federal prison and moved to Peterborough yesterday. I am going to spread the word about it and give the link with a picture to everyone I see, so people are aware. He is classified as a high-risk for repeat offenses and it's important for people to know about it. I don't want to post the link online though, because who knows if that will make me a target, so I will do it by word of mouth.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Kindness (insert correct number here)
I forgot to look at the number before I started writing, so this is the next in line. Today I am doing something a little different. Instead of holding a door for someone or giving something away or buying something, I'm using words as my kindness.
I was in the games store with the boys and the owner of the store told me his friend at the counter was having a baby in a week or so. The owner asked me if I had any advice, which I always do. It may not always be the best advice, but I'm never without an opinion on anything. I told the soon-to-be father that he will be getting tons of advice and he doesn't have to listen to any of it. If it makes sense, sure, try it out, but if it doesn't fit with their parenting style, forget it and do your own thing.
He laughed so I told him to tell his partner that same advice. It would help any new mother in the first couple of months, when we tend to doubt everything and lose all our confidence. It's the best advice any new parent could get (I think), because if we start to feel like bad parents we will turn into them, because we second-guess ourselves.
I hope he passes it along, even if it's because he thought it was funny. With the hormonal circus in the new mom's body that's going to party on, she may think of it and feel better. I wish someone had told me that when I had my first. So since I believe it's very good advice, I am counting that as my kindness today.
I was in the games store with the boys and the owner of the store told me his friend at the counter was having a baby in a week or so. The owner asked me if I had any advice, which I always do. It may not always be the best advice, but I'm never without an opinion on anything. I told the soon-to-be father that he will be getting tons of advice and he doesn't have to listen to any of it. If it makes sense, sure, try it out, but if it doesn't fit with their parenting style, forget it and do your own thing.
He laughed so I told him to tell his partner that same advice. It would help any new mother in the first couple of months, when we tend to doubt everything and lose all our confidence. It's the best advice any new parent could get (I think), because if we start to feel like bad parents we will turn into them, because we second-guess ourselves.
I hope he passes it along, even if it's because he thought it was funny. With the hormonal circus in the new mom's body that's going to party on, she may think of it and feel better. I wish someone had told me that when I had my first. So since I believe it's very good advice, I am counting that as my kindness today.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Kindnesses 63 and 64
I have mentioned karma on this blog a couple of times, because I believe that it really affects us in many ways. Here's proof: Yesterday I was at the cafe at the bus terminal. Once upon a time there was a man who couldn't pay for his lunch, so I covered it for him. The guy working couldn't believe it, the guy eating couldn't believe it, and I was thinking, "It's $5, it's not going to ruin my week and it will make this guy's day better." Yesterday I was in the cafe again, buying muffins for the kids, and a very nice old man insisted on paying. He had some sort of throat problem that made it hard to hear or understand him, but he got up and paid and sat back down again and we had a chat. That, my friends, is karma.
Yesterday I also used my ten-day bus pass to help someone whose transfer didn't work. The bus system is ridiculous here. Transfers can only be used at the terminal for a different bus. You can't get on the same bus and ride home with one, nor can you use one from a bus stop. Bus fare is relatively inexpensive, but it adds up quick when you have to pay every time you board.
Today I gave some baby stuff to a neighbour who is having a baby at any time. She may have already had her baby. I gave her a bag of clothes and a stroller that goes with the car seat I gave her a couple of months ago. That served a somewhat selfish purpose too, I'll admit, because now I don't have to drop them off elsewhere. I could have sold them, but I'd rather give them to someone who needs them. Besides, she lives close so maybe I can play with the baby!
Yesterday I also used my ten-day bus pass to help someone whose transfer didn't work. The bus system is ridiculous here. Transfers can only be used at the terminal for a different bus. You can't get on the same bus and ride home with one, nor can you use one from a bus stop. Bus fare is relatively inexpensive, but it adds up quick when you have to pay every time you board.
Today I gave some baby stuff to a neighbour who is having a baby at any time. She may have already had her baby. I gave her a bag of clothes and a stroller that goes with the car seat I gave her a couple of months ago. That served a somewhat selfish purpose too, I'll admit, because now I don't have to drop them off elsewhere. I could have sold them, but I'd rather give them to someone who needs them. Besides, she lives close so maybe I can play with the baby!
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Kindness 62
Since it felt so good to donate to worthwhile children's charities yesterday, we kept it going today. Jimmy saw that little coin roller coaster gadget at Walmart for Sick Kids donations, and I gave him about three dollars in change to play with. Side note: We donate $30 every month to Sick Kids.
Jimmy also wanted to have a friend over today, so I arranged for a play date with one of his best friends. It was an almost four hour play date, but that's okay because they were awesome and his mom needed the time to get her errands done.
I also fully intended to bake something for someone yesterday (as my loyal followers will remember), but I didn't have time. Saturday was a pretty busy day, so I baked up some oatmeal cookies today and gave some to Jimmy's friend and his parents.
Jimmy also wanted to have a friend over today, so I arranged for a play date with one of his best friends. It was an almost four hour play date, but that's okay because they were awesome and his mom needed the time to get her errands done.
I also fully intended to bake something for someone yesterday (as my loyal followers will remember), but I didn't have time. Saturday was a pretty busy day, so I baked up some oatmeal cookies today and gave some to Jimmy's friend and his parents.
Kindness 61
It was the weekly grocery shopping day. Saturday just works for us, because even though the stores are a little busier, Sunday's definitely a day for taking it a little slower. Walking in there was a person holding a donation bin for The Children's Wish Foundation. Jimmy loves to donate money to any sort of bin, so we gave him a couple of dollars to drop into the bin.
On the way out there was a table with raffle tickets for a contest, with all proceeds going to The Children's Miracle Network (or something similar, medical research for children). Jimmy got all excited again, so I gave him another couple of dollars to put into that one. We didn't take a ticket, just gave the donation.
So I donated to two worthwhile charities yesterday, and in the process saw how much my son is learning by example. He loves to help people whenever he can and often donates some of his allowance to charities like that. First he always has to have a conversation with the money taker to see what the charity is and how his or her day is going and tell him or her all about his latest video game or toy, of course. He always wants to donate though, and he understands where the money is going.
On the way out there was a table with raffle tickets for a contest, with all proceeds going to The Children's Miracle Network (or something similar, medical research for children). Jimmy got all excited again, so I gave him another couple of dollars to put into that one. We didn't take a ticket, just gave the donation.
So I donated to two worthwhile charities yesterday, and in the process saw how much my son is learning by example. He loves to help people whenever he can and often donates some of his allowance to charities like that. First he always has to have a conversation with the money taker to see what the charity is and how his or her day is going and tell him or her all about his latest video game or toy, of course. He always wants to donate though, and he understands where the money is going.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Kindness 59 and 60
Yesterday the horrible bus driver was on shift. I don't mean she's a horrible driver (although she's not a good one), but she's horrible to people. She will pass people at bus stops for no reason, she will yell at passengers and berate them for not sitting the right way, and she is just plain rude. An old lady got on the bus and I offered her my seat. She said thanks, but she would rather stand. The driver slammed on the brakes and told her in no uncertain terms that she was going to sit. The lady responded with the fact that she's 70 and can take care of herself, which set the driver off on a rant about "stupid old cows who are going to get killed, which is not her fault." That's a direct quote.
I immediately got up to talk to the old lady and help her find a seat, which she was okay with. I was angry with the bus driver, so instead of going home as planned I rode to the terminal and put in a complaint. I have heard this driver say several things that are similar, but none quite as mean as yesterday. I don't know if she will be fired or put on probation, but either way I hope my complaint changes the way she treats people.
Today I finally put an ad online for the abandoned cat on m street. I was putting it off because we were talking about adopting him. He's good with the kids and very affectionate, but that still doesn't change the fact that it's a health risk for us. My husband's allergic and the kids have asthma, so I posted an ad for someone who can give him a good home. The poor thing shouldn't be sleeping outside, and we can't let him in here for the night.
Those were my kindnesses for yesterday and today. Tomorrow I will give some banana bread to someone. I have the urge to do that soon.
I immediately got up to talk to the old lady and help her find a seat, which she was okay with. I was angry with the bus driver, so instead of going home as planned I rode to the terminal and put in a complaint. I have heard this driver say several things that are similar, but none quite as mean as yesterday. I don't know if she will be fired or put on probation, but either way I hope my complaint changes the way she treats people.
Today I finally put an ad online for the abandoned cat on m street. I was putting it off because we were talking about adopting him. He's good with the kids and very affectionate, but that still doesn't change the fact that it's a health risk for us. My husband's allergic and the kids have asthma, so I posted an ad for someone who can give him a good home. The poor thing shouldn't be sleeping outside, and we can't let him in here for the night.
Those were my kindnesses for yesterday and today. Tomorrow I will give some banana bread to someone. I have the urge to do that soon.
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