A Kiss of Kindness
“Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trashcan that rolled into the street.”
It really is the little things in life that mean so much. We all have opportunities to do these little things for each other, but we also have the opportunity to receive these gifts of kindness.
A smile, a “good morning”, a hug can change someone’s day in the blink of an eye. With the business of life it is easy to miss these opportunities to give small gifts of kindness throughout the day, yet it is so easy! I was waiting in line to fill my plate and the plates of my two young children the other day at a buffet dinner. The wonderful lady in front of me offered for us to go in front of her. She required the assistance of a cane and could not help fill one of the three plates we needed. My first reaction was, “No, but thank you.” Luckily, she gave me a second chance. I then graciously accepted her offer. It was such a little thing for her to do, but such a huge gift to me. We were both blessed through this small act of kindness.
Then there are the gifts of kindness that are a little bigger that can change someone’s life forever. Many times these are still easy gifts to give, yet have such a lasting impact. The following story was featured with the above quote.
“I received a call from a friend named Kenny. He and his family had just returned from Disney World. “I saw a sight I’ll never forget,” he said. “I want you to know about it.”
He and his family were inside Cinderella’s castle. It was packed with kids and parents. Suddenly all the children rushed to one side. Had it been a boat, the castle would have tipped over. Cinderella had entered.
Cinderella. The pristine princess. Kenny said she was perfectly typecast. A gorgeous young girl with each hair in place, flawless skin, and a beaming smile. She stood waist-deep in a garden of kids, each waiting to touch and be touched.
For some reason Kenny turned and looked toward the other side of the castle. It was now vacant except for a boy maybe seven or eight years old. His age was hard to determine because of the disfigurement of his body. Dwarfed in height, face deformed, he stood watching quietly and wistfully, holding the hand of an older brother.
Don’t you know what he wanted? He wanted to be with the children. He longed to be in the middle of the kids reaching for Cinderella and calling her name. But can’t you feel his fear, fear of yet another rejection? Fear of being taunted again, mocked again?
Don’t you wish Cinderella would go to him? Guess what? She did!
She noticed the little boy. She immediately began walking in his direction. Politely but firmly inching through the crowd of children, she finally broke free. She walked quickly across the floor, knelt at eye level with the stunned little boy, and placed a kiss on his face.”
His life was changed forever in that moment, as well as her’s. And don’t forget Kenny’s and anyone else that witnessed this quiet act of kindness. So simple – yet so powerful!
Blog post written by Angela Bailey, Legacy Retreat Coordinator
