Dear Maggie Montclair,
Before I became a widow, I didn't think much about loneliness or money. With a husband and family, I was never lonely. Hubby made a good living and took care of the finances. In a heartbeat, all that changed. I am fortunate to have enough money, but I have learned all about loneliness.
Then, I began to receive those e-mails about 'random acts of kindness.' I tried it a few times, and now I always look for opportunities to do something that I would never even have thought about before.
Last week I paid the tab for a mother having lunch with her young daughter. I could see that they had been shoe shopping and were enjoying the morning together. I overhead her say how they needed to hurry home and get the laundry finished. The little girl reminded her that they also needed to stop at the grocery store. The young mother checked her watch and commented that the baby sitter had already been at their house for over two hours, but this was her birthday and daddy was in Afghanistan.
Somehow, doing a 'random act of kindness' makes me feel less lonely. I urge everyone to try it.
Random Ruthie
Dear Random Ruthie,
I just love your very clever name! I too have received those e-mails and enjoy doing 'random acts of kindness.' It makes me feel that in some small way I am counteracting some of the meanness in the world.
Sometimes we can't pay a large check, but if we pay attention, we can find opportunities to do something nice for someone for $5 or less. It is not as much about the money as it is the surprise that a complete stranger will do something nice for you without expecting anything in return. That makes you want to pass the kindness on. M
P.S. My friend, Gertie, is a great movie fan, and when I shared this letter from Random Ruthie, this was her comment.
"One of my favorite movies is, "The Bucket List." In one scene Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are sitting on top of a pyramid. Freeman is explaining to Nicholson that to get into Egyptian Heaven you have to answer these two questions.
1. Have you found the joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
When you think about those two questions, you realize that they both require action on your part. Even the smallest 'random act of kindness' brings joy to others. You bring joy to yourself by keeping those acts a secret, not only from the recipient, but from everyone else you know. It is a 'secret randon act of kindness' that answers both questions on a positive note."
