Photo Credit: Darling Ashes, Creative Commons
The other day, I got the best e-mail from a friend. It went like this:
Hi everyone!
You may or may not know that our mom, Terri, is turning 60 this year!We would love your help to surprise her.
Since she’s someone that’s really hard to shop for and rarely tells us what she wants anyway, we thought we would do something different this year. She has spent so much of her time volunteering and giving her time to so many, we would like October 1st to be “Do Something In The Name of Terri” day. You’re probably wondering what that means, so here’s a better explanation:
Do Something in the Name of Terri Day
Anytime on or before October 1st, do something kind or generous in the honor of Terri Bekken. If you can, take a picture of it. Once October 1st hits, post the picture to FB, email it to her or text it to her. You can even print it out and drop it off at her house if you’d like. Or just give her a call and let her know.
We’re hoping to surprise her and let her know how many people across the country want to celebrate her birthday by helping others. Do you think we can hit 60 acts of kindness for her 60 years? We hope so!!
You probably don’t know Terri. Either way, don’t you think that this is the best birthday gift idea in the world? Will you join me in an act of kindness in the name of Terri?
For my act of kindness…
I’m taking a pound of coffee to my new friend Evelyn on the sixth floor of my building.
I met her the other day in the elevator as I was coming home from my job at Starbucks in the morning. Naturally, I was carry a cup of coffee and my apron in hand. I said hello, and then she did pretty much all the talking. She told me how much she loved Starbucks, how addicting and expensive it was.
Then, on her way out of the elevator, she casually called out her name and apartment number, just in case, so I could let her know of any specials or sales.
Yesterday, I left a pound of coffee by her door.
Question: Will you join me in an act of kindness?
Once you’ve committed your act of kindness, and documented it, you can tell me about it in the comments by clicking HERE, or post about it on your own blog! If you write your own post, link to my post below, and we’ll all share the love.
I love this! What a great idea for a birthday present! I just blogged about acts of kindness a couple weeks ago! In high school I started doing KLOVE’s challenge of Make a Difference Monday and I would always buy the person’s coffee that is behind me in the drive-thru line. I have now made it a goal of continuing to do at least one act of kindness a week.
Haley, that’s awesome! What a great practice to get into. Sometimes I let myself get stuck thinking that an act of kindness has to be complicated or expensive, but I think doing one a week helps you conceptualize that small acts of kindness over time add up.
I might take on that challenge.
Act of Kindness: Writing random letters to the people who do so many amazing things for me everyday, just letting them know what they mean to me!
Paige, that’s such a great idea. Those people will be so thrilled to hear what they mean to you!
Thanks for sharing this Ally! It’s been a fun way to celebrate my mom’s birthday. I went to a local Community Food Share with some friends to volunteer for a couple hours. It was a really great experience and even better that we could do it as a gift for my mom!
That’s so cool Kristen! Thanks for thinking of this, and inspiring all of us do something kind today.
One of my friend’s teenage sister is chronically and acutely ill with Lyme Disease. The last five years of her life have been confined to a recliner in a dark room. In honor of her birthday a few years back, we did something similar to this. It was so powerful! I hope Terri Day is equally powerful!
Katie
Thanks Katie!
I love this article. I am helping a dear friend who is fighting cancer. I travel to her city once a week and visit with her. I then complete whatever chores or errands she has written down for me. From cleaning her home to going to Starbucks to buy her a Grande Hot Vanilla latte. (She needs good coffee! lol She was in the hospital that day). Blessings to you and thank you for your encouragement to help others. The greatest gift of God is love.
Marilyn — wow, wow. That’s huge. I’m certain that your care is life-altering for her. Thank you for sharing your example and leading the way with a servant’s heart.