Kindness for Carli
I first met Katie a little over a year ago. She was at one of my Photography Workshops (Which, yes, I know I need to run another one soon. I'm working on it.). She instantly struck me as a kind, happy person.
That's why it's no surprise that she's behind something this fantastic. Just in case you can't follow the link for some reason, I'm going to borrow Katie's words.
In January 2010 our unborn daughter, Carli, was diagnosed with a fatal condition. We chose to continue the pregnancy to give her as much life as possible, and give her a chance to hear our voices and know our love. On March 26, 2010, Carli was stillborn. We were blessed to know her, and her life changed our family for the better.
We want Carli's life to impact others in a positive way, too. We want her life to make a difference. Carli would have been 4 years old this year. To honor our little girl, we are inviting our friends and family to do a random act of kindness on her birthday. Please invite your friends too! A random act of kindness can be as big or as small as you want. Pay a toll, volunteer at local charity, take a friend to lunch. It doesn't have to cost any money. It can be as simple as helping someone carry their groceries.
We would love to hear about your acts of kindness, so please share stories and pictures, if you have them! We hope you will join us in doing random acts of kindness on March 26, 2014.
Thanks in advance!
With Love,
Ray and Katie Ewing
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
- Mother Teresa
I can't even imagine. I refuse to imagine. Losing Carli was obviously a terrible, terrible thing, but how amazing is it that some good can come out of tragedy?
So, on March 26th, I plan to be all sorts of random act of kindness-ing up the place. It isn't hard to make someone's day a little brighter, so if you'd care to join me, I'd love to hear your ideas, what you end up doing, photos, stories, whatever. Here's some of the things I'm thinking about doing:
- Paying for the person behind me at the Starbucks drive thru
- Sticking a dollar in a vending machine and walking away
- Putting a quarter in someone's parking meter
- Leaving unused coupons next to the appropriate items at the grocery store
- Donating some bags of clothing to charity
- Sending flowers to someone who I think could use a little cheer
- Taping pennies and other change to hidden little spots all over some playground equipment for kids to find later
- Leaving quarters on top of the payment box at the carwash
- Throwing out compliments all over the place
- Bringing in baked goods to work
- Dropping off baked goods at the fire department and/or police station
- Leaving kind comments on blog posts all over the place
- Doubling the tip if I go out for lunch
And I'm just getting started with the ideas.
If you decide to join, let me know. It's always nice to hear that good people venture around these parts. Oh, and make sure to mark "I'm going" over on Facebook so that Katie and her husband Ray know just how much support they have.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Reader Comments (8)
Yep. I'm looking forward to it.
I am totally doing this.
Count me in! It's a great opportunity to get our kids involved, too.
I'm in! What a great way to honor Carli! (and a little kindness goes SUCH a long way)
so very in!
(usually when i do these little acts of kindness i smile and nod to my momma, hoping she is seeing me following in her footsteps, but i would be honored to spread joy on behalf of carli.)
Count me in! Many times something as simple as a good morning can make someone's day.
Would be honored to do it for Carli
Totally doing this...
I RSVPed and invited tons of friends from all over the country (plus relatives in Germany!). Happy to participate.