35 for my 35th

I have been dreading my 35th birthday for awhile.  I know, it's seems like a weird age to get hung up on, but for me, it's the end of an era-- the end of the having babies era.  I love the size of our family-- it's perfect for us-- but still, that part of my life is over...

So, I decided to take the focus off of me for my birthday.  With a bit of Pinterest inspiration, I decided to do 35 random acts of kindness the month of my 35th birthday.  As a side note, my husband lost his job at the very end of April, just days before my challenge was to begin, so I had to get very creative to avoid spending much money.

 

1.  I let someone go ahead of me in line at Aldi.

 

2.  Ruby and I left carrots for the bunnies in our backyard (totally her idea!).

 

3.  I drove the speed limit for an entire day.

4.  I sent brag letters to the kids' principal concerning their fabulous teachers this year.

5.  Instead of one chapter, I read Ruby an entire book one night for night time story.

6.  I shared unneeded coupons with others.

7.  I took a casserole to a busy friend.

8.  Eli, Ruby, and I picked up trash on the People Trail.

 



9.  I picked up trash that had fallen out of the neighbor's toter while I was on my morning walk.

10.  I turned off a neighbor's broken hose that was leaking huge amounts of water into their yard when they were at work.

11.  I left some of my old magazines in a doctor's office waiting room.

12.  I left one of my favorite books in a doctor's office waiting room, along with a letter explaining why it was my favorite and a prayer for the person who picked it up.

 

13.  I gave away my Aldi cart (If you aren't familiar with Aldi, you "pay" 25 cents to use a cart, and receive the quarter back when you return it).

14.  I (almost) donated blood.  (I was there.  The needle was in my arm, but I wasn't bleeding fast enough, so I was turned away.  When Jason saw the huge bruise on my arm he told me I totally deserved to count it!)

15-18.  Ruby, Eli, and I left dollar bills in the toy aisle of the dollar store.

 

19- 21.  We left snacks for waiting parents in the day surgery area of Riley Children's Hospital.

22- 24.  We gave 3 McDonald's gift cards to a cashier (at the Riley Hospital McDonald's) to give to the customers of her choice.

25.  For almost donating blood, I was given a Panera gift card.  So I immediately drove over to Panera and gave it to the next customer in line.

26.  I moved neighbors' delivered newspapers from the edge of their driveways to their front porches.

27- 30.  I left baked goods on 4 neighbors' porches with a note that said "Random Act of Kindness"-- Pass it On!

31.  We entertained a busload of children in our living room during a tornado watch.

32.  I took bugs outside instead of smooching them in the house.

33.  I put change in the Riley bucket at Walmart.

34.  I put my own and someone else's cart away at the grocery store.

35.  I made a dessert for a community center dinner (which is hosted for low-income families).

I saw two things happen during this month of RAOK.  1.  I stopped caring so much about turning 35 and 2.  I saw a change in my children.  On June 1st, Eli saw me point out to a budget-conscious shopper at Walmart where the $5 hula-hoops were instead of the $8 one.  I did not think a thing about it, but my wise and wonderful 10 year old told me it was a RAOK.  I said to him, "I don't even think about it that way.  To me, it's just the right thing to do".  I hope that moment, and many other moments they participated in, have left a lasting impact of them.  I know they have on me!