A year ago Linda Bethea and her Mother, Kathleen Swain, did two of the nicest things two strangers have ever done for me.
Linda sent me the gift of a hand designed bag and Kathleen sent me a drawing and a hand written note that claimed me as her Forever Son.
At the time I didn’t know what that term meant.
When I looked it up and saw the definition I was touched on so many levels of emotion that I hardly knew what to do.
A year later and I see how that gesture of compassion healed me in ways that I still don’t fully fathom.
What I do know is that it was an act that changed my life for the better.
When we help to make the lives of other people better we make life better for ourselves as well.
I never forget an act of kindness.
Thank you to Linda and to your wonderful Mother.
There is more grace in my life because of you.
Rob Goldstein 2016
How beautiful! Just as you are.
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Thank you…:)
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I am rattled and neglected to mention. Your photos are priceless. I will print and frame for Mother.
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I’ll send it to you…I see a problem in the texture that I want to correct….
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Wonderful.
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At least as wonderful as the gifts I got last year….I’ve made a note to get this out to you when I come home this afternoon.
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This is so lovely , Robert. I had to think about it so long before commenting. You are such a wonderful person, we both wanted to reach out to you. I will show this to Mother and share her reaction with you.
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I’m glad that you like it…I need to touch up the butterfly picture and I will send it to you…:)
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Lovely post, Robert. A wonderful example of how an act of kindness can change a life. 🙂
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It really can…It can make a life better…and when a whole community decides to being kindness into its politics it increases prosperity for everyone in that community. What is Social Security if not an act of kindness toward ourselves and each other as we reach old age
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It’s incredibly powerful when a community comes together in kindness. People are at their best.
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I agree…we become something more than ourselves in the presence of other people; even if those people are only present in an online community.
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I think it’s pretty cool that we often don’t have a visual and sometimes don’t even have a name, so the interaction is based on hearts and minds without the clutter. In some ways it feels more real than relationships with all the trimmings :-).
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In many ways they do feel more real; especially if one has managed to find people who understand that they have to work harder and be more scrupulous than we’d have to be in everyday life. It can be awful when you run into a set of pathological people who don’t feel obliged to control themselves. I defined mental health as the willingness and the ability to manage symptomatic behaviors.
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How lovely that their gesture is kept so close to your heart. ❤
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I keep the bag where I can see it and I framed the note and the drawing from Kathleen.
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Such kindness. And the gratitude that you acknowledge, Robert. Wonderful post. 💕
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I never forget an act of kindness. Ever…and this one was so beautiful and heartfelt.
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Beautiful Robert. Sometimes, even the smallest gesture has the greatest impact.
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Yes…and in many ways kindness is easier than selfishness…I think that kindness cleanses the souls of the everyone involved…
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I would like to think so, too. 🙂
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That brought tears to my eyes, Robert. I met Linda and her mom last October and they are as warm-hearted and loving as you describe it here. Both are two of the most compassionate and soulful persons I was blessed to meet in my life. Their generosity is beyond words.
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They are amazing to me…but then, so are you Erika…
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And so are you… wet eyes again…. thank you 💖
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🙂
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re blogged – lovely post 🙂
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Reblogged this on Daisy in the Willows and commented:
REBLOG What a beautiful reminder of how much joy an person can get from ‘a simple act of kindness
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Thank you for the re-blog…
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I’m happy for you that you were able to experience such a gift of humanity
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Thank you…I’ve been lucky with the people I’ve met through WordPress
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🙂
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What a beautiful post and act of kindness thank you Rob for sharing very lovely!
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Thank you!….Linda and her Mother are fantastic people
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Sure they are! Btw I am working on your questions 😉
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Yay! I was just thinking about that
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Yes sorry took a bit long but I wanted to find the time to focus on it to give you interesting answers to your great questions!
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No problem at all…I’m glad you took the time to focus…:)
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Yes thank you a million for your idea!
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I think it was yours…LOL
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Yes lol…is my idea…but the idea but the invitation is yours! lol
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Ok — I accept the idea of the idea…got it!
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Ahah …lol Rob!
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Thank you…:)
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