As I previously wrote about, I am asking Ottawa Bloggers to post about Kindness this week, in celebration of Kindess Week in Ottawa. I received a message on Twitter from Elizabeth who wanted to share her story, but doesn’t blog. The Kindottawa.ca website does have a spot to submit your stories, but I really wanted to post this here for you to read.
Elizabeth’s story brought tears to my eyes and gave me goosebumps because it really is a message of kindness. Thank you Elizabeth, for sharing this with all of us and reminding us that every gesture of kindness has a major impact.
In her words:
It’s August 1995. My oldest son, Andrew, has just turned 6 and is eagerly anticipating the adventures of grade 1. His younger brothers, soon to be 5 and 3, don’t have the same enthusiasm for September. As for me, well, I am just hoping I can meet the expectations.
It’s been a challenging year to say the least. Without much warning, I became a single parent of three young sons. As a stay-at-home mom, the financial challenges exasperated the emotional upheaval of having Daddy leave our family. Besides family and friends to offer their ongoing support, I found hope through relationships made with an Orleans Salvation Army congregation.
Unexpectedly, I receive a call from our Minister. He had been contacted by a couple who worked at Place d’Orleans. They were interested in sponsoring a child for school and I came up in the conversation.
Pride can often be a barrier and at first I resisted the support. Bad enough I was receiving Family Benefits; shopping with coupons for items on sale; and buying our clothes at the Thrift Store. I didn’t think I could take any further statement of my inability as a mother.
But I was talked into it with reassurance and kindness.
I spoke with the couple of the phone and we agreed on a date and time when we would meet at the mall. I was nervous: insecure, ashamed, embarrassed and wondering what had gone wrong in my marriage for me to be receiving handouts from strangers.
Carol (I still remember her name) was a young grandmother and eager to make a difference in someone’s life. JP was as young, and eager to spend quality time with my son.
We met in the food court. While Carol and I drank coffee, fed Timbits to the younger boys, and shared life experiences, JP and Andrew went shopping.
Carol told me something that day that has never left me…”One day you will be in a position to help someone else out. For now, it’s your turn.” (It still gives me goose bumps to tell this story of so many years ago.)
As most women will testify, a couple of cups of coffee, some donuts and a female friend to share your burdens, is a most effective way to bring up your spirits. When JP and Andrew returned about 90 minutes later, the smile on both of their faces confirmed to me that this was a good move indeed.
Andrew was ready for school: a new backpack, some clothes and the piece de resistance…white, Wayne Gretsky, high top running shoes. Andrew was in heaven!
What a start to the school year! To show my appreciation for Carol and JP’s thoughtfulness, I wrote a Letter to the Editor, complete with photo of a glowing 6 year old, his wares and younger brothers in tow. It was my hope that their actions would compel others to reach out and make a difference. That act of kindness made the world of difference to our family.
Andrew is now 20 – a graduate from Algonquin’s Pre-Service Fire Program, a volunteer fire fighter and the most generous young man I have met. His spirit is filled with empathy, kindness and a love for others. He still recalls, with excitement, the day he went shopping with JP.
No act of kindness goes unnoticed. When we help others we make a difference, most of the time without ever knowing it.
Elizabeth Hale is mother to 3 wonderful sons, Andrew 20, Tyler 19 and Ben 17. She is an educator turned motivational business coach, who believes that everyone has the power to be successful…it just needs to be discovered. You can find her on Twitter @bizimpressions and on the web at www.businessimpressions.ca
