Good Deed 31

This one wasn't actually a good deed, but a random act of kindness instead, which is the same thing to me. On the bus I witness all sorts of crazy things, which anyone living in Peterborough can relate to. People on the bus are always so interesting, and there is quite a mix of regular riders.

Today there was a guy in his twenties sitting at the front. An older man sat down next to him and the younger one looked at him strangely a few times before pointing out that there other seats free in the back. I thought it was incredibly rude, but then he kept going about how he doesn't need someone sitting next to him and the handicapped seats could be lowered if he really wanted to sit in the front.

So I went up to the older guy and invited hi to sit beside me and Eddie. I hadn't brought the stroller so we were sitting near the front too. We then had a conversation about the crazy weather and kids. The younger guy thought I was insane, but I'd rather be insane and nice than blatantly rude.

So I made it a goal to be especially nice to everyone sitting near me on the buses today. We rode four different buses and there were people on all of them that were happy for a chat.  I have noticed that on the bus, most people would rather stand than sit next to someone, even if the bus is half empty. Maybe it's because the way that guy acted is standard, but I won't be like that.

Good Deed 30

Today I took the kids to the YMCA. There was a line so we waited. And then someone cut right in front of me to get to the counter. The person at the counter said that I was next and I let him go anyway. If he was that pushy he was obviously in a hurry.

I also played some basketball with the kids (their version of it anyway), and picked up some wayward balls to throw back to people. I know it's not much, but it was being much kinder than I wanted to be today. I am premenstrual and everything sucks and I'm mad and frustrated and in pain. So I am proud that I managed to do that much. Wait, I'll be proud in ten days, right now I need some medication.

Good Deed 29

Today was a slower sort of day. It was a snow day but thanks to my generous neighbour (yes, same one) Jimmy got to school. Eddie and I hung out for the morning because he seemed too tired to go anywhere, but then the little darling refused to nap so we didn't have time to go anywhere. My opportunities for random kindness were limited, but I did achieve a creative one.

I saw the mail lady through the window while Eddie was having his late nap, and our driveway has not been salted. I ran out to get our mail and the neighbour's mail on both sides so she could avoid the ice. I delivered it almost without falling.

Good Deeds 27 and 28

I have a confession. Yesterday I did not do a good deed. It was not for lack of trying though. I was nice to everyone I met, but until the evening I had no inspiration whatsoever for a kind act. In the afternoon the power went out. It was out for a while, and we had to go buy candles in case it was off all night. I thought that since everyone on our street was out of power, it would be nice to buy someone else dinner. Obviously, no one could cook. So I had my husband drop me off at my friend and neighbour's house to see if she wanted us to bring them back some dinner. She said no. So my one good idea of the day was not to be.

Today I made up for it though. It snowed quite a bit, starting last night. I waited for the snow to stop and took the kids out to shovel some driveways. We did ours, the one next door, and the one across the street (which was the driveway of my friend who wouldn't let me buy dinner). She had done hers earlier, but it was still snowing and I thought I would save her the trouble of doing it again.

Now here's a thought. She told me that she and her boy would come over to shovel our driveway the next time it snows. She is a very kind person and one to repay any favour, but not many people are like that. People are being a lot more friendly and helpful to me since I made this resolution. So I'm making some sort of difference.

Another difference I notice is in my five year old son. He asks me every day now how I have filled a bucket, and is very interested in what I'm doing. He's even started filling his own buckets by being nice to his brother and doing chores without being asked. He is happy that we are nice to people "just because," and that's worth 365 days of random kindness for sure.

Good Deed 26

We were at Walmart last night doing some grocery shopping after a very busy day. I usually like to do it before dinner but there was no other option yesterday. So it was 7 pm (Eddie's bedtime), and I was in line waiting at the checkout. It must have been the slowest cashier in history, because it took a full twenty minutes for her to get through the three orders ahead of me, and they weren't very big. I, on the other hand, had a huge order.

I figured with all the price matching I had to do it would be best to let the people behind me go first. On any given week, I price match at least 70% of my groceries (hey, it saves me at least $50 each time, so I'm justified). The two customers behind me were talking about how slow the cashier was and getting a bit irritated, so since Eddie was being an angel, I let them go first.

They asked if I was sure and I told them that I had a lot of price matching and my order was twice the size so it made sense. If Eddie was screaming I don't think I would have been so gracious, but my baby was good so I was able to be nice.

Good Deed 25

Today I brought in four recycling bins for neighbours, which is not very creative because it's a repeat. So when my kids and I were at the library, I decided I would do something else too. I always get my kids to help me clean up their own mess, but today the play section was in a terrible state. I picked up the mess from other children too. There are about 14 toy bins there for the different toy categories, and every single had been dumped all over the floor. So I sorted the toys and put them all back in their bins. I don't know how people can let their kids leave such a mess. The children's librarian saw me and said thank you. I made her day a little easier. At least she didn't have to clean up after inconsiderate people.

Good Deed 24

It was much easier to fill someone's bucket today. I had to take my toddler out to the bank and since I had to sit down and do some paperwork I put him in his stroller. I don't put him in his stroller unless I absolutely have to keep him contained for a bit, because he can walk and should walk in my opinion. And it's much easier to fit onto the bus without a stroller.

Which brings me to my good deeds. The bus had a blind man with a guide dog in one of the disabled/stroller sections and the other one already had a stroller. I took Eddie out and folded the stroller up so no one else had to  move. Then another stroller came along and I helped the blind man by telling him the seat to his right was available, and offering to help him get there. He was capable  of course, but I let him know where to go so he didn't bump into anything. Then when the bus stopped at the terminal, I told him when he was clear to go because he wasn't sitting in his regular seat and no one else waited for him to leave first.

The blind man was appreciative of me telling him where the free seat was and when the exit was clear. He did say thank you, but more than that he seemed very happy that someone was talking to him. I know people with disabilities are often judged. I also know that many people won't talk to disabled people because they don't want to seem overly nice, because that sends the message that they need special attention and it might be offensive. It's confusing and ridiculous.  I was nice to a blind man and he was happy. I always talk to the blind people on the bus, because they need conversation too. Just because they can't see me doesn't mean they can't be social.