Some days a girl just doesn’t want to get out of bed. That was me Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Luckily it’s Monday and the world seems a bit more bearable.
I am a big believer in doing acts of kindness to get myself out of a funk, so I dug deep in my grey wallet and my ... Read More
I never thought it would happen. Christmas pictures with Santa back where it all began!
Fifteen years ago, we were living in Fargo, ND with just one baby. Our daughter Jordan was 10 months old. It was her first time meeting Santa and she found him at West Acres Mall.
The following year, she brought along her newborn baby brother, ... Read More
I grew up with a second family. The Balkanskys took me in when I was in eighth grade and they still haven’t let me go.
I traveled with them on vacations and rolled my eyes like a belligerent teenager when they gave me unsolicited advice. Without fail, I always knew they loved me.
I was especially touched by this letter sent in ... Read More
I was lying next to my teenage daughter last night talking about life. We chatted about moving and finding new friend groups and how some high schoolers are really kind— and how others are not.
“Someday their mirrors will become windows, Mom.” she finally said. Her comment floored me. She wrapped up everything I try to teach about kindness in ... Read More
There is a packet of hot chocolate sitting on my desk. I don’t care how cold the wind blows in South Dakota, I am determined not to drink it.
It’s not a weight loss or healthy eating thing. It’s a kindness thing.
I took my boys to Minneapolis for a weekend at the Mall of America to celebrate, well, nothing. We just ... Read More
Super big news! I had my first high school girls’ bible study last night!
I got all kinds of goodies and a few grapes so we could pretend to be healthy. I set out 150 tags and two black Sharpies so I could memorize everyone’s name. I carried every bible of every translation in our house to our living room. This ... Read More
There are kids in your community who are keeping a secret.
They want to participate in after-school activities but they won’t ask. Even in elementary or middle school, these kids already know the state of their parents’ or guardians’ budget.
They won’t ask to learn how to play the tuba or join the football team because they know there isn’t money for ... Read More
I am a rule follower. It makes me very nervous when someone uses a discount card that doesn’t belong to them or parks in an area that is designated for a specific business.
I do like to speed, but that’s another story.
My friend, Amanda, is also a rule follower. We both know that sometimes we need to bend a bit more ... Read More
I got to speak for the first time in Aberdeen last Friday. The place was packed with new friends, and as I stood there, I felt grateful.
At the end of my talk, I asked if anyone wanted to share their own story of kindness. A woman named Liz raised her hand. (For the record, I think her name was ... Read More
I often forget what a tough spot my kids are in each day. I send them off to school and ask them to be kind, but sometimes that gets confusing.
When the teacher is talking but a friend is trying to get your attention, what is the kind solution? When you’re trying to do your work but a classmate has a ... Read More
