Have you ever leaned into someone during a challenging season in that person’s life?
Did you deliver a casserole or a plate of fresh-baked cookies? As the recipient of both casseroles and cookies, I can tell you they hit their mark and remind us we’re not alone in our suffering.
Kindness is healing, because when we need a friend, we ... Read More
A funny thing happened while I was carefully planning out my life: my husband nearly delivered a baby in a blizzard.
There I was, talking with my work team about how to remind people of the power of kindness. Should we order new stickers? How about pens that say, “Kindness is Contagious”?
Nope. Let’s just send Saul out in a snowstorm.
Last Monday ... Read More
Weigh in on this for me: Is it more fun to be a parent or grandparent?
I feel like I might know the answer based on the letters I received recently from some readers who make kindness a priority in the time they spend with their grandchildren.
Judi Sebeck, of Deerwood, Minn., sent in this story of kindness that almost went unnoticed.
“Our ... Read More
Crime shows, murder-mysteries, suspense novels… are you hooked?
Do you love the adrenaline rush that comes from not knowing what will come next?
Not me. I like everything laid out and unfolding according to plan. If I can guess what happens next in a show, even better.
Life sometimes has a bit of mystery to it, and that’s not all bad. Sarah VanRoekel, ... Read More
The books on display at airport stores always catch my eye. They are the most important books. At least that’s what they seem to proclaim. They are the best-sellers, the ones everyone is talking about. The ones you better read if you don’t want to miss out.
I hope my next book will be one of the loud, important books everyone ... Read More
I’m starting to wonder how much snow a person can handle. I think my personal limit is about 2 inches.
If there has ever been a question about my level of kindness when it comes to snow, let me say, I’ve got lots of room to grow.
My 15-year-old daughter is outside clearing the driveway. I thought about helping her and then ... Read More
I lost my dear friend, Tom, just before Christmas.
He was in his late 80s and his quality of life was diminishing, but even so, it’s hard to say goodbye.
One of the great gifts of these past six months was the amount of times I was able to visit Tom and his wife, Ann. My family’s move from Ohio to South ... Read More
My fourth grade son, Ben, told me his teacher pretends to vomit anytime the kids start bickering with each other in his class. Isn’t that hysterical?
Instead of yelling or raining down punishment, the teacher just walks over and pretends to gag. The kids immediately realize what they’re doing and are distracted enough to let it go.
The principal in that same ... Read More
I feel sorry for people who live in warm climates. They never get to experience the incredible kindness that comes in the middle of a massive snowstorm.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, my family drove from Aberdeen, S.D., to Moorhead, MN., for my husband’s basketball game. A friend let us stay at her house while she was gone for the weekend. Our little ... 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
