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| Red door with a message |
I realize by using this title you’re going to anticipate something fabulous, so I apologize in advance if I don’t make the grade.
On holidays or annual celebrations we often have unrealistic expectations, maybe left over from childhood, be it Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve; we’re waiting for that magical moment to be with those we love in perfect harmony. (If you’re single, New Year’s Eve is the worst.) The truth is, there are 365 days a year to spend time with or reach out to and communicate with family and friends. To repair relationships, and to heal.
But no, we usually wait for those special occasions where the room is crowded with siblings, spouses, and in-laws. Although family get-togethers are often fun, sometimes our blood pressure rises as well as our disappointments. And some of us don’t have relatives nearby.
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| Not what I expected to see in Lancaster County! |
Last month, I sent my 98-year-old aunt in Connecticut a floral arrangement for no reason other than I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her. I rarely see her, although she and my uncle used to entertain me often. I figured her three daughters will bring her presents on Christmas and there will be many festivities at her retirement facility.
We’ve probably all heard the term “random acts of kindness.” The other night I told my husband how a stranger had helped me when I was in a heart-wrenching incident. The day is crystallized in my mind forever, although it happened 20 years ago. I don’t remember the man’s face or anything about him, only that he in essence said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. You can go.” He may have forgotten all about the incident, but I’m still grateful for his kind generosity.
I recall, when my children were young, I read a newspaper article by a woman who said when her daughter was acting her most terrible-teenage-worst the woman, out of the blue, gave her a horse back riding lesson. That random, unexpected gift might have drastically improved their whole relationship. According to the writer, it did.
Have you ever had someone show you random kindness or have you done that act of kindness for someone else simply because you were there and you felt it was the right thing to do? Please leave a comment; I’d love to hear your story.
What do those questions have to do with this darling scented hot pad? Not much, but please leave an email address with your comment if you wish to enter to win it and a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or its sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork! Winner has one week to respond. USA only (sorry).
Congratulations to Judy B, last week’s winner of a copy of Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. Thank you, everyone who left a comment!
Congratulations to Elizabeth, winner of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s novel, The Letters.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win the Amish hot pad as well as one of your awesome books. Wishing you and your family a very wonderful Christmas season.
God Bless,
Alyson King Jenkins
Alyson_jen@msn.com
Thanks for entering the contest, Alyson! Wishing you and your family the best!
Once I found a cute set of dishes in a pattern I knew a local guy was collecting…Campbels Soup Kids…at a garage sale for 50 cents a piece. Then made some home made soup and brought them over. It was so fun to give back to such a generous person!
Would Love Penn. Patchwork Quilt & chance to win the pot holder/pad too!
mandn(at)wisper(dash)wireless(dot) com
You are a sweetheart! Yum, soup too! What a delightful gift that I imagine the man was not expecting. Good luck in the contest!
Your blog is so true. Wishing you a happy holiday season.
I’d love to win this contest and have the opportunity to read your books.
God Bless,
Wendy
Brides68@yahoo.com
Thanks for visiting my blog, Wen, in entering the contest! Good luck to you!
I have many acts of kindness done for me and I have done many acts of kindness for others. I would love to win a hot pad or a book. angelachesnut246(AT)gmail(dot)com.
Thanks for entering the contest! I wonder if your generosity attracts other generous people
Would love to win <3 Thank you for your great books...Love them! <3
hutchgurl54@msn.com Theresa D.
Thank you, Theresa! Good luck in the contest!
I love these books. My daughter and I love reading these Amish Stories. I am grateful for the opportunity to win! Blessings,mysterioiuslady56@gmail.com
I would love to have a daughter to read Amish books with and then talk about them! What fun. Good luck in the contest!
Would love to hang the potholder on my wall, thank you for this chance.
May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas
Thanks for writing, Carol! To enter the contest, please leave an email address or some contact info in case you win.
Thank you for this contest. Rachel Lepree rlepree@musfiber.com
Thanks for entering the contest, Rachel! Good luck!
There is a lady at our church that is always doing for other. During a recent illness, she would send me cards with “treat money” ($5) in them. What a treat it truly was to get a card and be able to buy a lil something for myself! I found out from her daughter that her birthday was last month so I sent her a birthday card with a gift card “treat money” in it! She was so excited — she called and sent me a thank you card for thinking of her!! What a blessing she is to our church!
Thanks for the chance to win this potholder and one of your books!
rcourts@twc.com
What a darling woman, Tammy! And it sounds as though you are too. Good luck in the contest!
Kate Lloyd
I won recently from you but Im writing this to encourage you. Have a totally blessed and wonderful Christmas Season.
Chris Granville
Thank you so much, Chris! I accept your generous encouragement and good wishes with pleasure!
How wonderful sending your Aunt flowers, I love the idea, get them while we are alive!
One year on my birthday I sent flowers to my Mom. Wish I could still do it!
alekee02atyahoodotcom
What a lovely idea, Maureen, to send your mother flowers! I wish my mom were still around to spoil; I didn’t do enough of that. Good luck in the contest!
Well the most recent just happened. Jennifer ran a giveaway for he 50th Birthday. The winner would win a book of your choice to someone you cared about. Not keep it for yourself. So I gave it to my dear friend Lisa who I met here on FB and have become really good friends and have met in person and have had fun run around time shopping’
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/1476026_10202791266330889_1226216907_n.jpg?oh=69e12234502f91a8bbedafc65e91a16e&oe=529EBD93
Thats a letter Lisa received. hope it shows up.
Blessings
Diana
joeym11@frontier.com
How wonderful, Diana! What a great idea to give the book away. I have met some incredible people on FB and you are one of them. You’re also entered in the contest!
yes, once while at seminary, a man was jogging by and came over and gave me $20 and said that God led him to do it. We had family providing many things for us that Christmas and a neighbor was needing food and didn’t have the money so I gave it to her as led by God. Rhonda rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
Wow, what an incredible event, Rhonda! Well, actually two acts of kindness. Hearing stories like that makes my whole day! Good luck in the contest!
I can’t think of anything “big” I do for others, but I do try to “do” at least 3 acts of kindness each day, even if it is something as little and simple as letting others go ahead of me in store check-out lines.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
You’re making the world a better place through your daily acts of kindness! letting someone ahead of you in line is not such a small gift, especially if that person has a child or is in a hurry. Thanks for entering the contest!
Nice red door!
Thanks, I like that door too!
I have won a nice selection books last September and sent then on to several other ladies that I knew would really enjoy them. I was so much fun to share. I kove helping others out when I cann.
You are a dear, Juanita! It sounds like you have more fun giving than getting, a rare quality!
Yes, I have been the recipient of various random acts of kindness in my life. The most astounding was from none other than Bob Hope. I was a student flying home for Christmas vacation on a standby ticket. I got bumped in Las Vegas. Because it was Christmas Eve the agent told me I couldn’t get a flight till the 26th of Dec. I almost cried then and there. He told me to wait just a few minutes because he was going to discuss my situation with someone. That someone was Bob Hope, whose destination was also the Palm Springs airport. So he invited me personally to go on his private jet to Palm Springs. He was so kind and this 18 year old student was blessed beyond compare. Otherwise I would have had no family for Christmas. I will NEVER forget his kindness to me.
Bob Hope’s private jet, Sonja? Wow! What a delightful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I had my meal paid for by the car ahead of me in a McDonalds drive thru last Christmas. It was a Surprise Blessing
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
What a lovely and generous surprise, Jackie! Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
Thank you for this contest, Kate. Thanks for your story. I really liked the part where you wrote that we have every single day of the year for “random acts of kindness” not just on the holidays. One little thing I do is I try to be really nice and friendly with cashiers and packers at the stores and also if I have someone behind me with only a few items , I will tell them to go in front of me and I had that done to me also. We have such good people in the world. As I grow older and older – and of course, “sweeter and sweeter” (hopefully) , I find that goodness or kindness does “Pay it Forward” and is catchy and if you give you always receive such wonderful Blessings in return. Even if it’s a smile or have a nice day!
Hoping to win – would prefer “Pennsylvania Patchwork” if possible. thanks again!
Blessing to you especially during this Happy and Holy Season! Mary Lou K
flowersmarylou85@gmail.com
You sound like the kind of person I’d like ahead of me at the cash register when I only have one item, Mary Lou! Only once, has a person let me go ahead of them at the grocery store and I certainly appreciated that! I bet you are becoming sweeter and sweeter! Good luck in the contest!
I also have met some wonderful people through facebook.I wish that I could give them all something,but right now can’t afford anything.But I do send up my prayers for them everyday.Right now,with losing my dog,my baby,my heart is so broken.I am going spend my time just reading and hope it will take my mind off of her.I love your books and thanks for writing so many great books.
Thank you for your kind words about my writing, Jackie! I was so heartsick when our last dog died that I haven’t been able to replace her, after owning dogs my whole life. Probably not what you’re “supposed” to do. I also have met incredibly fabulous people through Facebook!
I’m not entering this contest since I just recently won one of your books but I wanted to share my story.
When my husband was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor I was the only one working and money was tight. We had just purchased our new home 4 months before he was diagnosed. I had no idea how we would make ends meet. Twice I received money from Anonymous people. The amount was $500 from one person/persons and $450 from another. I was beside myself because I wanted to be able to thank those who gave these wonderful gifts. I still do not know who sent the money and that was years ago. During that same period of time a friend from Michigan (where we use to live) wanted to come visit Bob. Bob was unable to walk and I wasn’t sure he could handle the visit in the state he was in. This friend persisted and so I said, yes, please come visit. Shortly after arriving she handed me two cards. They were from friends I use to work with when we lived in Michigan. After opening the cards I sat there and cried. Inside was a bundle of money which total over $1000. My husband Bob didn’t comprehend what was going on and I think he thought it was my friends fault for making me cry and he wasn’t happy about that! I was finally able to get through to him what these wonderful friends did for us. Bob lost his battle with cancer 4 months after my friends visit.
The world is filled with wonderful people out there! I would also like to add that I was able to take the amount of money that was given to me in my time of need and I was able to pay it forward.
God Is Good!
Judy B
What incredible gifts, Judy! Makes me want to cry. Well, the whole story does in a good way. You have my admiration for paying it forward!
I love to go to the grocery store and help someone pay for their groceries or pay for someone’s ticket at a restaurant. I have been so blessed over the years & believe in paying it forward. I would love a chance to win the pot holder to give to my daughter. I love. Your books. Waiting patiently for the next !
Rita
godskid91@gmail.com
How delightful that you help people at the grocery store and at restaurants. How do you know who is in need? I’d love to do that! Thanks for entering the contest, Rita!
An excellent blog, Kate Lloyd. Hits home with many! I know a young mother who would absolutely love this hot-pad. 🙂 rlkehle@aol.com
Thanks for writing and entering the contest! Good luck!
Well, thank you for having your giveaway. It would be great to win. In any case, have a Blessed December 🙂 theMammaof3@google.com
Thank you so much for writing and entering the contest, Mrs. M! I wish I had a pot holder for every one of you!
Thank you for the opportunity for this giveaway.
Cathy Weber
Cdweber20@hotmail.com
You are welcome, Cathy! I appreciate your stopping by my blog. I enjoy the giveaways and I’m fortunate to have a publishing house, David C Cook, who is willing to donate the books!
I have some mobility issues & am a slow walker, it always gives me a warm feeling, when someone offers to open, or hold, the door for me; offer to reach an item off the top shelf in the grocery, etc.. I, in turn, am glad to extend little courtesies to other – as often as possible.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books, Kate – it would be my first!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I can totally relate. I’m short and often have to ask people to help me reach items at the grocery store. Once, when my wrist was in a cast and my other hand was hurting too, I stood outside a store hoping someone would open the door for me. It took a while … Thanks for entering the contest!
We are expecting a new grandson Jan 24, but my daughter-in-law went into early labor this past weekend. They got it stopped and for now she is on bed rest. Chances are that we may get him in December! Been so busy and worried about her and the baby haven’t had time to think about entering any of the contests. But came home last night after another trip to the hospital only to open my mailbox at 11pm to find a new Amish book. My sister-in-law, Tammy Courts had entered a contest for me to win a book. She is always doing things at the time I need them most to pick me up! And she has already entered the contest here. I would love to win the book…for her…and the potholder. Thanks for the chance. God Bless
What an exciting time you are having, Donna! How very kind of your sister-in-law to give you an Amish book! I notice you didn’t leave an email address, but Tammy did so I can contact you to her should you win. Good luck!
I would love to win. I love everything amish. I discovered amish fiction 2years ago when my mom was dying and it brought me much comfort. Have a merry christmas.
Just an hour ago, I was thinking about how much I still miss my mother, Emily. My heart goes out to you. Reading Amish fiction brings me comfort too, as does my research and writing. To enter the contest, please leave contact info so I can reach you if you win. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Diana Montgomery is sweet like that, she won prarie song and had Mona Hodgson give it to me ! That turned into such a blessing to me and our friendship is wonderful fun !
Would love to win.
Linda Finn
faithfulacres7@gmail.com
You sound like a delightful person to be friends with, Linda! Good luck in the contest!