Rachel's Kindness

Bloggers Unite challenges bloggers everywhere, on December 17th, to do something good offline — an act of kindness — and then post about it on their blogs. The Acts of Kindness bloggers unite challenge aims at putting a human face on bloggers who are responsible for so much good in the world. The goal is to expose their kindness and generosity as well as serve as an example to non-bloggers that volunteering for a charity, donating to a cause, or simply doing something kind for another person has a ripple effect around the world.

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I have been granted a world full of blessings... good health, a good job, great friends and most important of all, an amazing family. I have two beautiful daughters, both of whom remind me daily that God is good. Today, I take on the Bloggers Unite challenge by blogging not about myself, but about one of my greatest blessings in life, my beautiful little girl, Rachel.
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Technically, I'm not following the Bloggers Unite rules. I'm supposed to do the Act of Kindness today and then write about it... but the deeds Rachel has already done are too important to be overlooked, and I want to make sure she gets credit for her kindness, especially when it was done so generously and without prompting.
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Rachel is 4 years old. She's smarter than most 6 years olds... most 16 years old, too. She has an amazing memory and a desire to learn all things, all the time. But much more important than her brain, I think, is her great big heart.
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As a mom, there are so many things I try to teach my children, and as a mom, nothing could make me more proud than to watch Rachel living one of the most important lessons I've tried to teach her: Be kind to others and the world.
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Inspired by the good people at CoolPeopleCare, I decided to take on the Make a Difference Day challenge on October 27 by organizing a "get out, do good" event for my local community. For our event, we visited an assisted living community near our home. Along with some other volunteers, we gave "mini makeovers" to almost 20 women there. They had a great time being pampered, but even more fun watching the kids that we brought along with us. Rachel had such a great time with "the grandmas" that she asked to go back and visit again.
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On Thanksgiving Day, we spent some time in the afternoon sharing our family with the residents there who didn't have family close by for the holiday. My husband and I called a game of BINGO! while Rachel visited with her "grandma friends." The following weekend, Rachel and I helped decorate for the holidays, and Rachel refused to leave until each and every one of "her grandmas" had a hand drawn picture to hang in their room. Two weekends ago, Rachel patiently and meticulous helped me make holiday decorations, which we stopped by to "quickly drop off" this past weekend. Rachel, however, was unwilling to drop them off and leave. She wanted to hand one ornament out to each of the residents. She walked around the room, picking an ornament to match each person's outfit. Ms. Caroline was wearing green so she got a Christmas tree. Ms. Elsie was wearing blue, so she got a blue stocking. She gave each resident a hug and a smile and an ornament. They love to see her when she visits, and she loves them all right back.
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I'm not sure if Rachel really understands the magnitude of the difference she's making. I have lots of other stories about Rachel's big heart, her desire to help those less fortunate, and the beautiful examples of her kindness in action. The most amazing part, though, is that her motives are so pure. She knows that she's putting a smile on someone else's face, which in turn puts a smile on hers. And of course, all those smiles put a smile not only on my face, but also in my heart.
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So Rachel, my amazing, beautiful, selfless little girl... know that Mommy loves you and admires you and is more proud of you than you will ever know. If everyone in this world was even a fraction as kind and open and loving as you are, this world would be such a better place. Thank you for being so kind, so loving, and for making me so proud. Today and always, I love you!