My friend CajunVegan issued a challenge over at her blog:
do three random acts of kindness for three people who will never be able to repay you.
A couple of us took her up on the challenge. I already had a couple of things planned, so I was probably somewhat cheating … but fate decided to intervene and make me be a little more creative.
Those of you who follow the Baby S updates know that she went back to the hospital on Tuesday, and that I drove out to meet C there and spend the night with her. I intended to come back to town to work on Wednesday, so I would have done two of my three good deeds then. However, I decided C & S needed me more, and so I found two different things to do … and still had to think of a third.
- While we were in the hospital, we spent a lot of time talking to doctors and nurses. Not just about Baby S, but also about what’s going on in their lives. One nurse I shared an elevator with had a hard time finding a particular Monopoly game for her child. I happen to have it … so today I made arrangements to have that game shipped to the hospital in the nurse’s name. That felt really good: now that I don’t have my own home, my monopoly boards are not being displayed or used anymore. I spent an exorbitant amount of money on this particular game, so I hate that it is just sitting in my parents’ attic.
- I saw a homeless man sitting in front of the restaurant the other day when I went to pick up food for C & I (she was craving the salad and breadsticks *L*). I purchased a meal with the manager on my own dime and had it sent out to the gentleman. They even set up a table for him under the trellis in the front. Was a beautiful setup: candles, linens, and a to-go cup with any non-alcoholic beverage, as well as his choice of desert. Manager gave me a deal: One price bought the whole setup, start-to-finish, gentleman could have salad and breadsticks til the shop closed, as well as a to-go box with salad and breadsticks. WOOT! . I hope he enjoyed the meal. I wish I could have stayed and watched him eat.
- My third was a little more fun. I went shopping for a local shelter here. They house women who are giving their babies up for adoption. They not only keep the women here, but they also let them keep their existing children with them. I purchased diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, formula, and a breast pump. I used money that had been given to me by a dear friend ( you know who you are, sir - I told you I knew what I wanted to do with the money when I paid it forward) when I was in particular need, and compounded it with an equal amount of my own money. I have saved up a little bit of money out of every paycheck since then, whether or not I could technically “afford” to do so. It was a wonderful gift to be able to give, and I loved seeing the smiles and talking to these ladies. I spent about three hours with them today.
I hope that everyone finds ways to make the world a little better for someone else. These three things this week were fun and beautiful, and I cannot wait til inspiration strikes for me again. I may not be able to spend so much money, but I am sure I can find a way to contribute somewhere.
