guerilla goodness: write a letter

A few weeks ago, I shared a post with all of you about my desire to share a stack of cards with random acts of kindness printed on each of them. I asked for some of you to volunteer to receive a card from me, and follow through with the assigned guerilla goodness. The response for volunteers was overwhelming and the cards were quickly spoken for. In return, I asked for you to share your stories of kindness. This is what happens when a little good is spread around.

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Molly,

My children and I were eager for your envelope to arrive in the mail with our random act of kindness.

We live in a small town with a population of about 250 people year round. I thought for sure we would end up with a task such as "pay someone's toll" but we received the task of writing a letter to someone (and actually mailing it).

I had recently made some postcards and notecards from some of my photographs. So, this random act of kindness was perfect.

My daughter decided to "write" a letter to her a friend who lives in town. She drew hearts, x and o's for hugs and kisses and signed her name.

My son wrote to his cousins. He asked about their new cat and when they are coming to visit. I have a feeling he will even get a letter in return.

I decided to write a letter to a friend's parents.

A few days after we received your envelope and our letter writing assignment, I learned that a friend had passed away.

This friend lived here, in our little town, as an Innkeeper for a few years.

We became friends. Over the course of our friendship, we had dinners togethers at the Inn when all was quiet, we watched movies, had bonfires, attended his wedding and met his family on several occasions. Our friend had his troubles (don't we all is some way).

My husband and I were kind to him and loved him anyway.

He had since moved away and we lost touch.

That happens.

It was with a heavy heart that I wrote a letter to his parents.

I heard of his passing the day of his service and we weren't able to attend. My husband and I decided we wanted to honor him in some way.

During his calling hours, while his family and friends gathered in a town seven hours from here. We walked to the lake as a family.

We talked to our children and told them about our friend:

We talked about how he lived here for a short time and how we would remember him always.

We talked about making good decisions and that sometimes even with all the love and support some people don't.

We talked about how much he loved it here, living in his natural element. He loved to fish on the lake in the summer and winter. It was his passion.

We talked about how much he loved the lake. He loved it so much it made him smile.

We talked about friendship and the importance of kindness. We talked about his family and how incredibly sad they must be.

Once on the frozen lake, just slushy from the beginning of spring, we released a bright orange lantern and said a prayer for our friend.

"May this light rise to the heavens to shine with you for all eternity".

In my letter, I told his parents all of this. I included a few pictures to share how we honored their son, our friend.

Our random act of kindness was to write a letter.

But, it turned into so much more.

It was a reminder of the sacred places we keep in our hearts, a lesson in the value of kindness and a special way to honor a friend and his family.

Amy Germain (and family).

Comments

[Jaime Barks]

I love this idea! I just stumbled on to your blog and I love it. I want to do this with my family and friends. So great.

[cecilia]

this is so inspiring. i can't wait to see the others.

[Monica]

Beautiful.

[beth lehman]

this was GREAT! her photos are amazing... the ripple effects are what i find so moving.

[atouchofdomesticity]

An unexpected moment of feeling quite choked. Thank you for sharing this and introducing us to Amy Germain. Reading it has somehow settled me back into myself after a long, hard day.

[Jennie]

Thank you for sharing with us, Amy- that letter probably wasn't the easiest to write, but your effort and subsequent actions speak volumes on Love and Grace.

[Elaine]

Wow. I think it just got kinda dusty in here...

What a real kindness.

[Christina]

Your post brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that there is a letter I also need to write.

[Deanna]

Amy and her family's act of kindness is RICH with beauty, love and honor. This is the stuff that really matters in life, right here...

[sarah]

how beautiful.

i have done my guerrila goodness 'assignment' and have yet to write it down...this week. i have loved doing it and it's not something to do just once and be done. in fact, as each of these pop up i think i'll do all of them.

thank you molly! :)

[Lucia]

Beautiful. All of it. The random acts of kindness, the letters, the pictures, and Amy's story of celebrating her friend's memory.