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#26actsofkindness

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My six-year-old knows nothing about what happened in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday – none of my children do. But this morning she asked if she could take the pinch pot she is making in this picture to her teacher as a gift, and the timing felt inspired.

Friday’s news hit hard. That could, so easily, have been my daughter’s classroom. It was so beautiful to see an innocent child’s spontaneous generosity this morning.

Then, this evening, I came across this article – and the idea of doing (at least) 26 acts of kindness felt wonderful amid so much sorrow. We’re in – are you?


Also, check out this post from the Connecticut PTA for ideas of ways to help Newtown! I called our children’s librarian, and she was very happy to help me set up a snowflake-making session! Can you do the same?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

24 thoughts on “#26actsofkindness”

  1. I love the snowflake idea. This tragedy is still resonating with me. The scary thing is it could have been any classroom. Last Friday (the day of the shooting) morning, J asked if we could go to the park after school. We get home right before dark, so I gave him a “maybe” answer. I decided to leave early, and we went to the park. We’re trying to get in the Christmas spirit here, so we adopted a tree angel and are starting a new tradition of leaving Santa a gift to give to someone who needs it (J’s idea). This year, J chose a football, his favorite sport.

  2. MaryAnne, I just wrote a post a couple days ago about this! It really moved me too, moreso because I found out about it because we were on the receiving end of it. My post is my first act of kindness and I added a linky for any blogger that is writing about it. Hope you link up, and oh, Ann Curry RT my post! Crazy, but it meant a lot. <3

  3. In my head, I already commented on this. As you know, I love this post. I love how our children reflect our example back at us and your daughter certainly reflects all that she learns from you and your generosity.

  4. My middle two do not know about what happened either. We have been very careful with television and radio.

    I love the idea of 26 acts of kindness and the snowflake idea is great too.

  5. This tragedy has certainly affected so many people near and far. And I love that there is a call to action for kindness. Thanks so much for sharing both links. We will definitely be participating. And as I’m sure you know, you have such a sweet little girl! I’m sure her teacher loved the gift and I’m sure it helped her as well.

  6. I love this MaryAnne! I’ve been working on the same challenge, and decided to make it into a blog hop, mainly because I need more ideas! Do you want to link up to the hop? And or you are welcome to be co-host. (I can change the button code so it goes to your blog and add your blog to the linky code.) Let me know by messaging me on Facebook or G+! http://www.facebook.com/LisaLNolan or http://gplus.to/LisaNolan

  7. We are doing 28 acts of kindness. His mother and yes, even the shooter, were human beings too. Their lives were lost and someone out there is mourning their loss. I’m not saying what he did was right, or even justifiable or forgivable…but we are going to honor the loss of his life as well. Maybe if more people would have reached out to him in kindness, this wouldn’t have happened, who knows?

  8. I love the idea, but, as you, I don’t want to tell my daughter what happened in Connecticut. I still have to talk to her to see if something came up in school and in Y – not everyone is as diligent in keeping their children away from the news as we are.

  9. That is so sweet of her. Great idea to do 26 acts of kindness. I’ll have to great creative to think of some things, but it’s an awesome idea.

    I saw one of the best acts of kindness I think I’ve ever seen. Today, I went to drop off books at the library. I saw a car pull up in front of the library. No big deal, people always stop there to drop off books. I parked and carried my books in. Then I saw a young boy (late teens?) help a very old lady out of his car and into the library. I love old people and I love when young people help old people, so I looked at the situation. The boy had on his Dollar Tree work clothes and apron. The old lady had a few bags with her. He told her “Merry Christmas”. I smiled at him as he left and then I realized it! That lady most likely walked to the Dollar Tree and then mentioned she was going to the library next. It is in the next plaza over. It would be a long walk for an elderly person, but maybe she does it on warmer days. Today was chilly and wet. That boy gave her a ride in his car and helped her into the library! That really made my day!

  10. Forget not diligent about keeping them away from news, my kids are great at overhearing thing we don’t think they’ve heard……….

    I’m thinking it’s a great idea. I need to figure out how we’re going to do it.

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