I remember two things from the end of my grandfather’s life. I was a very little girl, but I remember his eyes and I remember his stories.
His eyes were normally blue, but on this final visit, they were almost turquoise. They were extraordinarily bright, shining, a little damp-looking, and not exactly focused on the people or things in his nursing ... Read More
Tag: kindness
A Race to Remember
My 16-year-old niece, Kate, has had severe health problems since the day she was born. She has never had a pain-free day in her life.
Two years ago, she spent a month at the Mayo Clinic learning how to cope with the pain. The doctors had come to the realization that the pain wasn’t leaving, so they needed to teach Kate ... Read MorePerfect Gifts in a Time of Need
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking to about 500 people in my church sanctuary.
I told those people about my life growing up. I talked about visits to a prison to see my mom’s husband and about struggles with addiction during my years as a young mom.I had one main point: Kindness doesn’t just make the world a ... Read MoreSometimes Kindness Backfires, but Sometimes it Changes Your Life
A friend recently asked if kindness ever comes back to bite me. She was struggling with the decision to continue extending kindness to people who just weren’t playing along. She felt as if all of her efforts were being done in vain and wondered if it was worth it.
My answer was, “Yes, I’ve been bitten.”
There are times when people are ... Read More
A Public Service Announcement for Giving
In the past three years, kindness has become my ministry. It is my passion, and in my opinion, it’s the answer to every problem out there. Be kind.
I’ve recently met a woman who shares my passion for kindness, but instead of “Be kind,” her platform is “Give.” She is so passionate about giving that she wrote her own Public Service ... Read More
Moms First Teachers of Kindness
I’ve mentioned in previous columns that I haven’t always had the closest relationship with my mom.
It has taken years (decades actually) for my heart to soften toward my mother.
Even during those times when I knew I should forgive her but couldn’t and wouldn’t, there was always the nagging thought in the back of my mind saying, “She won’t be around ... Read More
Creative Kindness to Celebrate a Birthday
My birthday is coming up this week. On Wednesday, I’ll be 26. Again.
Birthdays are fun, but they don’t hold the same excitement for me that they did when I was a child. I remember wanting to invite as many kids as possible over to my house on my birthday in hopes of having a huge stash of presents to open.
Now, ... Read More
Paying it Forward with $1000
I recently received an email from a woman who wanted to give me $1,000. No joke. She had $1,000 to give away, and she wanted to give it to me!
Every year, Bell State Bank & Trust gives their employees money to give away in a random act of kindness. This year, the business added a twist and another layer to ... Read More
Learn Kindness from Jesus
This is the hardest week of the year to write my column. An entire Holy Week culminates with the celebration of Easter.
It should be a piece of cake: Say something about the gift of salvation or tell a sweet story about how someone delivered chocolate bunnies to sick kids, right?
I either go Christian or non-Christian. Make a choice and start ... Read More
Community of Kindness Eases Goodbye
Editor’s note: Nicole Phillips will continue to write her column after she moves in May to Ohio with her family.
My family is about to go through a period of major upheaval.
My husband, as many of you know, is a basketball coach and most recently got to run all over the court in pure unbridled joy after the North Dakota State ... Read More
