Act 61

Saturday, March 14, 2009.

Today I worked a special event for work. It was a trade show of sorts – the WSAZ Home and Garden Show. It was alot of fun seeing many people, talking and sharing information with them, even getting to play and have fun with children visiting the show and coming through our booth.

There was a young boy who came to our booth that was playing with all of our exhibits and visiting each station in our booth. He was having a blast and his dad was right with him the whole time. I watched the boy as he would pick up an object, look at it, play a little bit, and then gently put the object back where he got it from. I was amazed at the care he took in picking something up, studying it intensely, and then returning it to exactly how it was before. I wasn’t amazed because of anything specific he did, but because this young child had down’s syndrome. He was a perfect polite and happy little boy, but with this disability.

His dad and mom had obviously raised him with love and care, because the boy was gentle and very attentive to everything that was going on around him. I discreetly moved over to where he was playing in our booth and squatted down to be on his level. We then played with various vegetable toys in our booth for the next 15 or so minutes. It was almost a game between us, as I would hold up a vegetable and he would tell me what it was (not always getting it correct-but just about every one was right), then he would do the same thing, making me name the vegetable before we moved on to the next round.

It was wonderful spending that time with him. I hope I taught him something that he will remember, as he surely taught me something about patience and compassion.

Act 24

Thursday, February 5, 2009.

I went over to my parents house to check on my father who is still recuperating from his heart operation. I hadn’t been over to see him in a few days, and thought that I needed to pay him a visit. I was only planning on stopping to visit for a short time, but to my amazement he had been installing laminate floor in their front entry way. Now it looked beautiful, but I was a little angry that he had been working and lifting things with his current heart condition.  We talked and chatted for a while and he seemed to be doing much better. Even though he shouldn’t have been working on the flooring, the activity seemed to boost his spirits quite a bit.

Oh, I forgot to mention that on my way into his house I saw a new hot water tank sitting under his garage. At least he didn’t try to lug that thing into the house and down the stairs. That’s where I come in.

I was so glad that I went over there last night. I was able to help him trim about an inch off  of the front door so it would close properly with the new floor. But also I was there to help carry the hot water tank downstairs and get it set up.

Kindness doesn’t always have to be done to strangers all the time, don’t forget about those closest to us that we sometimes overlook and neglect – our loved ones!

Act 8

Monday, January 19.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my dad just came home from the hospital. Now everyone knows with any medical issue that requires a hospital stay there is always going to be some added prescriptions to the patient’s list that weren’t there before.

Monday, my dad called and said that he needed a prescription filled. My mom was at work, he still is not able to drive, so I was the one called upon. Of course I said no problem and went over to see him. I visited with him a few hours and then took his prescription to the store to be filled. I didn’t even have to wait on it because my mom would pick it up on her way home from work that evening.

This one was easy. I got to help him out, spend some good quality time with him, and complete Act #8 – all in a days work. Awesome!

Act 5

As you will typically see, on Mondays I will be updating acts from over the weekend. So each Monday will probably bring around 2-3 new RAoKs on the site.

Friday’s act was something that anyone else would have done as well if they were put in the same situation. My father recently spent a few days in the hospital and was released. With any medical issue that requires a hospital stay there is always going to be some ordered down time and rest (not being able to do anything). This aspect of the problem is killing my dad.

But as my mom had been at the hospital over the last few days with my dad, their home was bare of groceries and necessities. The doctor instructed us that my dad wasn’t to be left alone for very long over the first few days from his hospital release. So that is where I stepped in. While my mom went to the store (and got some much needed me time) I spent the evening with my dad reading and watching some television.

It was a good time for all of us. I am happy to report my dad is feeling much better, their fridge is stocked with HEALTHY food for once, and the weekend was off to a great start.