Life is short. Often too short. It can be complicated and difficult. Overwhelming at times with things that might not even matter when it comes down to it. Every day there is a lot to do. A lot to take in. I don't watch the news anymore because the sadness that streams from my TV is just too much. I am very much a positive and optimistic person but often find myself wondering where is the good? The kindness? The humanity? It is easy for it to get lost in this age of information over load... but it is still there... I promise you. There are still people reaching out... trying to help... easing the burden that others carry.
I am not one those that believe everything happens for a reason. Not really at all. Good things happen to undeserving people and bad things happen to the most decent kind hearted souls... no rhyme or reason. An asshole will hit the lottery while someone possessing the qualities of Mother Theresa will go hungry in order to give to another. It just is the way it is. I do however believe that all the people we meet are put on our path for a purpose. Most we won't recognize immediately... if ever but I am sure that no encounter is by chance.
I also believe that kindness even one small act has the power to set off a chain reaction of infinite kindness. I believe that kindness in others is what inspires us to be kinder ourselves. Maybe that is why I am so inspired by Hayden's Heart. There are so many ungrateful unkind people... too many. So many that are too caught up in themselves to see what they could do for anyone else. Then there are people like Ady and Rob that have been through hell and back... they live with a an ache in their heart that most can't imagine... and yet they find it in themselves to devote their time to giving to others. If you ask them about their foundation they will tell you about Hayden of course because it all started with him and then about all of the families they have directly helped. And I always wonder if they know really what an impact they have on others. I wonder if they are aware of just how much better the world is because of their work. How many people have consciously become more thoughtful, more generous, more kind because of their baby and what they do in his name. Visit www.haydensheart.blogspot.com to read more about Hayden and the foundation. It just might inspire you to do something good.
Through Hayden's Heart I learned of Xavier Ross and his heart story. And when you read stories about families with children the age of yours it is hard to not imagine yourself in their shoes... even though that is pretty impossible. I have no idea what it is like to have a child with CHD. I have never spent any length of time in the hospital with my kids. I can't imagine what it is like as a mom to have to divide your time between children because one is not well enough to come home. I can't even begin to comprehend the stress and worry she must feel over her sons health and the heart ache over missing time with her baby at home... or the million other stressors that accompany their current situation. I wanted to do something even if small.... just something. So I did the one thing I know how to and held a fundraiser that lasted only a few days. A raffle. $10 a spot for the chance to win a prize. I still can't believe that in less than a week just through Facebook... friends that don't even know the Ross family gave a total of $770.00 Each one that donated renewed my hope that people still are kind just for the sake of being kind. My friend Jeff who runs Secaucus Martial Arts Center gave me $50 alone and then said if I win just give extra money to the family you are collecting for I don't need the prize. Several other friends said the same. I just want everyone who gave to know that their kindness and generosity is so appreciated and it does make a difference.
At an event for Hayden's heart about two years ago I won a necklace which I shortly after lost when the chain broke and necklace came off with out my realizing. So I contacted the Lynn Seyler who had donated the necklace to see how I could get another one like it and after speaking to her we became friends. Since then Lynn gave birth to her sweet baby Cameron who was born premature. Which has lead her to start her own charity called Cameron's Care Packages which she uses to raise money in order to give care packages to families with premies in the NICU. They only need $535.00 more to fill all of the packages they want to donate on March 2nd. http://gofundme.com/ahbgwk is the link you can use if you would like to help them reach their goal.
Then there is my best friend Melissa who is crazy enough to shave her head in order to raise money for finding a cure to childhood cancers! Seriously she is shaving her head in a few days! Www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/743415/2015 is the link if you want to check it out.
So what is the point to all of this? There really is so much good in the world and I am especially thankful that I seem to surrounded by it. There are so many people I personally know doing remarkable things and I just want all of them to know how much they have all inspired me. Ady and Rob with their tireless dedication to helping others. Lynn who is just getting started with all of the amazing things I know she will be doing. Melissa who is always willing to help, give, or shave her head.
And it is not just all about how much financial help you can give... I am in awe of my friend Brianna who is currently carrying twins as a surrogate. Lacy who has opened her home to yet another baby that she is fostering not to mention the three girls she has adopted and that she has her hands full with a very active toddler.
Kindness does not always come in grand gestures either... it really is the little things... that we pass on... that we carry with us. The smile that brightens our day. The gentle hand that holds the door. The compliment that someone needed to hear. Kindness is not meant to squandered. Don't save it for another day. Give away as much as you can and you will see the world around you change right before your eyes. So I leave you with one last request check out Project Kindness Counts on Facebook and share your kindness maybe something you have done for some one else or a kindness shown to you... you never know who will read it and be moved to pay it forward.
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