Random Acts of Kindness

By: Kristen Clifford

After the tragedy that occurred in Newtown, CT, I felt saddened and powerless as a Mom. A group of fellow Moms and I decided that in honor of the lives that were lost that day, we would set out to do random acts of kindness. We didn’t say what those acts had to be or where they had to occur. Each mom was assigned a different name to honor with an act of kindness. I was given Grace McDonnell, age 7, which hit very close to home, as I have my own Grace. When I received the name, I cried. I can’t even imagine what those parents must be feeling.

I gathered my 3 kids and we set out to Target to do a random act of kindness. We picked out a card and got a Target gift card. I sat down and filled out the card with a little message about Grace McDonnell and why I was doing this. My Gracie helped by drawing a picture in the card. Then we sealed it up and headed out to give it away. My Grace got very involved and was very set on picking the perfect person. She saw a Mom with 2 little boys heading to the check out line and decided she was the one. We handed the woman the card and said “Happy New Year.” The woman looked very confused and shocked. We scurried away and did not stay to see her face as she read the card. I can only hope the message and act warmed her heart; I know that it warmed mine.

Once we got back to the car, I cried. Not out of sadness, but by how moved the whole process made me. Knowing that other groups of moms all over the country were doing their own acts of counting just overwhelmed me with happiness. I encourage you all to go out and do the same. It doesn’t have to be for the victims of Newtown. In fact, it doesn’t need to be for anyone. I just recommend that you do it. Trust me; the feeling you will receive will be well worth it. I also encourage you to involve your children, since it is so important to show them how powerful doing something nice for someone can be.