A Day for Acts of Kindness? Yes!

When a trusted friend calls you and says, “We need to support this!” –- you know it is the real deal.  That is why I am taking a serious look at what’s happening on November 3 during Gabriel’s Day of Kindness.  Someone I trust called me and said, “This is a day that needs all of us.”  She was right!

There are tons of “days” out there to do something.  And, hey, I am even part of that group of people who loves to help build, and support, a day for awareness or advocacy or action.

But when I heard about Gabriel’s Day of Kindness….I knew it was different.

This has been a year that has brought cancer into front-and-center view for many people dear to me and Emily.  Like everyone, we know someone who has been impacted by cancer, who has lost a loved one, or who is battling it for her or himself.  So Gabriel’s Day of Kindness struck a chord for me.  It reminded me of the many people who are choosing to channel their energy into doing something for others.  It echoed for me the words of so many friends (parents, caregivers, schoolmates) whose children did not survive cancer.  Each of them has been touched by their experience in a way that makes them want to do more, give back, and connect with others.

I will not pretend to be a cancer survivor.  I am not.  I am not the parent of a child who has struggled for his or her life.  But I am moved by Gabriel and his bold call to people around him to do something nice for someone else on a day that means a great deal to him.

So while it is not my anniversary or milestone to mark, it is one that I have chosen to share with him and his community of friends today.  The day comes in the midst of a divisive political season.  It comes during a time when politics and conflict around the world are full of uncertainty.  It comes at a time when the news is filled with headlines about what divides us.  I am grateful for the strength of a young boy like Gabriel whose message is “just do something nice.”  That’s something we can support.  And I do.

We all could use a little more kindness.

P.S.  As part of Gabriel’s Day of Kindness, and its obvious connection to the upcoming #GivingTuesday global moment, I am again directing friends to a link to the page where you can donate to a fund inspired by our little friend whose mighty heart and smile reminds us to keep up the fight aginst WILMS http://childrensnational.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=23550

Talking about – and supporting –  this issue is another way to show kindness!

Take a look at this news report to learn more about Gabriel: http://cbsloc.al/1MxDLGy

His facebook page is here:  It shows the amazing variety of things people are doing to share kindness around the world:  https://www.facebook.com/gabrielsdayofkindness/?pnref=story