Backyard birthday parties, birthday parties at the roller-skating rink.
One year, a friend of mine flew me out to Los Angeles to stay with her. We went to Santa Barbara, had brunch at The Ivy, and the best gift of all – she gave me my sweet Bella during that trip.
I've had karaoke parties...several, actually.
Parties at bars, restaurants...
One year, Jeff surprised me with a front row ticket to see Smokey Robinson on my birthday.
I can't help but look back and count my blessings.
This year - as I made out a list of invitees for a dinner party followed by some sort of bar or karaoke shenanigans - I Googled "ideas for my birthday" and found a website of a woman who celebrated HER 38th birthday in a really special and unique way. I was so touched by her blog and felt so strongly that this was a 'sign', that I decided that was how I wanted to celebrate.
So, for my 38th birthday I celebrated by committing one random act of kindness for every year of my life. I spread out the good deeds over the course of Saturday, Sunday, and my actual birthday today, Monday. Jeff joined me on my journey as I chatted with the homeless, loved on abandoned kitties, visited the OB unit at the hospital, handed out balloons to wide-eyed children (it's amazing how excited they were for something as simple as a balloon!), and jumped fences to get into playgrounds. He got to experience the tears, the overwhelming emotion of the people whose lives we touched, and the frustration (flat tire). It meant the world to share these experiences with Jeff - it really was bittersweet.
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| The little random acts of kindness bags had these notes in them |
For all my friends who would like to “celebrate” with me, I encourage you to fulfill one (or more, if you’re feeling crazy) random act of kindness and let me know about it throughout the day. Share your story with me - call me, leave a note on my facebook wall, text me, email me.
Our random acts of kindness:
1). Dropped off donuts at the vet's office
2). Brought shopping carts inside
3). Held the door open for a family at the library
4). Left $1 with a note in two different library books in the children's area
(These were two of my favorites as a kid - "Charlotte's Web" and "The Mouse & the Motorcycle")
5). Left change on the playground in the park (no choking hazards, promise)
6). Gave a grandmother, with two small grand kids, at the laundromat the exact change for her wash - this was one of the most emotional moments of the day
7). Gave a little girl outside WalMart a pink balloon
8). Left quarters in the toy machines inside WalMart
9). Gave a blue balloon to a little boy outside Costco
10). Gave a pink balloon to a little girl in line at Costco
11). Dropped off supplies at a cat shelter
12). Loved on kitties at the cat shelter
13). Left change on the playground at a church
14). Left baggies with exact change taped to vending machines at the hospital
15). Brought bags of candy to the nurse's station at the hospital (they directed us to the OB unit) :)
16). Left flowers with the nurse's station and asked them to give them to someone who might need some sunshine
8). Left quarters in the toy machines inside WalMart
9). Gave a blue balloon to a little boy outside Costco
10). Gave a pink balloon to a little girl in line at Costco
11). Dropped off supplies at a cat shelter
12). Loved on kitties at the cat shelter
13). Left change on the playground at a church
14). Left baggies with exact change taped to vending machines at the hospital
15). Brought bags of candy to the nurse's station at the hospital (they directed us to the OB unit) :)
16). Left flowers with the nurse's station and asked them to give them to someone who might need some sunshine
17). Gave a green balloon to a little boy outside the hospital (he was about to be a big brother!)
18). Brought bags of candy to the nurse's station at Hospice
19). Left baggies with exact change taped to the vending machines at Hospice
20). Gave a blessing bag to a homeless fella
21). Gave a blessing bag to a homeless fella
22). Gave a blessing bag to a homeless fella
23). Washed Jeff's car and filled it up with gas
24). Gave a Dunkin Donuts gift card to a woman with a baby at a bus stop
25). Donated items to charity
26). Complimented a stranger
27). Stacked chairs in the food court at the mall as they were closing
28). Sent a random gift in the mail to a friend
29). Sent a card with a note in the mail to a friend
30). Donated candy to a school
31). Sent a photo and a note in the mail to a friend to reminisce
32). Sent a photo and a note in the mail to a friend to reminisce
33). Sent a photo and a note in the mail to a friend to reminisce
34). Sent a photo and a note in the mail to a friend to reminisce
35). Sent a card in the mail to a friend
36). Brought in candy treats for work
37). Wiped down both the sinks in the ladies room at work
38). Made eye contact with everyone I came in contact with and smiled
There really is no greater reward than the feeling you get by giving back to others. I was hesitant starting out and even ran into a couple roadblocks within the first two acts, but once I got the momentum going it was a perfect weekend/birthday.
Thank you for allowing me to share my birthday with you. Please don't forget to let me know how you gave back today!
