“A kind hand can brighten someone’s whole day.’ – Steve Hartman
I am a fan of CBS Sunday Morning news program and set my alarm lest I sleep through it. Its news has a positive outlook that inspires and stays with me, especially the stories on kindness by Steve Hartman. I hold this one in my heart:
Seven-year-old Ben, born deaf and given up for adoption, entered 1st grade in Campden, New Hampshire, where there were no schools for the deaf. Alone, he had no one to communicate or play with, no one he could ‘talk to’. But Reid, a classmate, noticed, and decided to be a friend and go play with him. Reid discovered, “It’s fun communicating with Ben and playing with him.” Both of them loved sharing a whole new way of speaking with their hands. And it wasn’t long before the other kids noticed and wanted to learn too. Soon the whole class was learning new ways to communicate and it clicked for Ben that sign language had value too. In fact, the whole school began to practice sign language. Everyone had fun and no one felt left out!
There are so many ways to express a kind hand that can brighten someone’s day.
David, who owns “Your Health Matters”, in Sturbridge, Mass. loves to surprise others with an unexpected gift. When he is ready to check out of a store, where there a lot of items available to purchase, he will ask the cashier, “What do you think would be a nice gift to pick up?” She chooses something and hands it to him. He pays for it and then ‘gifts’ it to her, saying, “This is for you!”
Fran tries to be nice and patient as a way of life, helping, but not making people feel uncomfortable. He is quick to wave a hand to a driver trying to get in a heavy traffic line.
And the other day, while waiting in line at the cashier’s, anxious to check out and be on her way, Marie noticed an older man in a motorized cart filled with groceries behind her. “May I help you with those?” she asked. After setting each item on the conveyor belt, she asked if she could help further, and was met with appreciation and a warm feeling all around.
Sometimes the simplest things live in our memories and hearts long after the event. How can we stop to notice, to share a smile, a helping hand, or a heartfelt, “Have a great day!”?
Many blessings to you and your loved ones,
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