Kindness

Wow, I was moved to tears a few minutes ago.  I don't cry often.  A few reasons, I don't like to cry, and if I cry hard enough it gives me a headache.  I'm pretty sure I have said that in another post!  Hahaha.

First let me say, I have a wonderful group of friends.  We meet almost every week for brunch.  We always try to be there for each other and help each other out, and to check up on each other.  So we have that military spouse bond.  It's like Army Wives but better and minus all of the drama!  Ok, so there is that kind of kindness.  We are all in the same boat so we help each other out.  We become a family.

Small town kindness.  Today, I had to take Cinder (our dog) to the vet.  Her doctor is the father of one of my students, and the mother is the receptionist.  Lately, we have seeing a lot of them, but that's a whole different story.  The mother told me that if I ever needed anything or help with anything just to call.  They barely know me but they are offering their help.  She practically offered her whole extended family, because you know sometimes you just need a man to help with things!  No, really you do, if you decide to move something big, or need help starting the motorcycle.  My issue is the latter, I can usually move whatever it is I need moved, because I'm manly like that, but that darn motorcycle gets me every time!

So that experience made me feel good today on the drive home from the vet.  Now the question is, is she saying that because I have been there 4 times in the past 2 months and they are starting to feel bad for me?  I don't think that's the case, I think she was honestly offering to help.  That's what you get when you live in a small town!

A good person and my dancer family kindness.  The experience that made me cry happened on Facebook.  This weekend we are going to King's Dominion for our last competition!  This is a fun comp, they perform and then we play!  The past few competitions I have gone by myself and stayed by myself, for the obvious reasons.  Tonight, I asked one of the mom's if she got her tickets, and then she asked me if I wanted to stay with them and hang out with them.  She asked because she knew I was going alone, and that's "it's hard to be without hubby."  I cried.  Probably because this would have been a competition that the Marine would have joined me on.  This would have been something that we would have enjoyed together.  I cried because someone realized that.  That's the kindness I love. 

I may be strong and seem happy.  But there are times when I am putting up a strong front and I'm just acting happy.  I don't want to seem weak.  I have the occasional day when things aren't going well.  So I really like when people step up and offer me their help or offer to do something with me.  Why?  Because I don't want to wear them out with my offers, I don't want them to think I'm using them because I'm asking them for something all the time.  I don't feel that way with friends, but with people I haven't gotten to know very well I don't want them to feel used. 

So be kind.  Offer to help or do something with a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger.  You never know how that might turn their day or life around.  Plus, that kindness will find it's way back to you.

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." ~James Matthew Barrie