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Thursday 12 February 2015

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS 2015 ADVENTURE Week 1

Each year my good friend Betsy at My Five Men runs a Random Act Of Kindness Adventure where RAKs are posted on a Friday once a week for a month, and we are encouraged to spread a little kindness and treat someone in a special way with a little love, totally out of the blue.  It is a wonderful idea to make someone happy and brighten their day.

This year, 2015, the first RAK is scheduled for 13 Feb, followed by 20th Feb, 27th Feb and 6th March.  For examples of RAKs Betsy has listed many suggestions on her blog.  If any reader of mine would like to participate . . . see HERE for the suggestions and the instructions about linking blogs to share what we have done, to inspire each other.



Week 1
We have a saying here in England that a Friday 13th is unlucky for some, in fact at the boarding school I attended the ghost of it's founder was rumoured to haunt the school, roaming the dormitories, thus frightening all the new little boys, including myself once.

I hope this Friday 13th is a lucky one for some and it puts a smile on people's faces. 

My first Random Act Of Kindness is to an 18 year old Rumanian girl with two young children.  I am not the only one in my town helping her, there are several of us, and it is not just this week ~ it is continuous. 

Anna is a delightful young lady, likeable, intelligent and very friendly, but she is in rather difficult financial circumstances until she is able to find a job, and before she can find one she needs some education.  She is determined and trying her best to improve her life and is learning to read and write, assisted by a retired teacher who actually taught both my son and daughter.   I had lunch with the teacher today in fact.

While studying, Anna sells newspapers, called "The Big Issue", on the High Street for £2.50.  She gets up at the crack of dawn, leaves her two children with her mother, calls in and queues to buy her papers, taking a chance that she can sell them all ~ if not she loses money.  Then she faces a long journey by bus to my home town where three days a week she is out in all weathers selling her papers, and then of course she faces the journey back where her work starts again with the children.  

Several of us just give her the £2.50 so she can sell the paper to someone else ~ if we can afford it we give her more. Also people give her nappies and things for her children, including clothes and toys, and food. People like her and she usually sells out of her papers, and returns home with a little hope in her soul.  

Eventually she hopes to get a well paid job when she gains some qualifications.  I admire her immensely for her attitude and her willingness to work hard to better her life and it is a pleasure to give her something now and then when I can afford it.

Once a month our church organises a Parish Meal for widows and widowers and anyone else who wants to come along. As a widower I always attend and it is run by a very good Christian friend of mine, Pat, who also runs the residential care home where my wife used to work.  Anna is always invited to the meal and we take turns to pay for her meal.

So it is not just me showing Anna RAKs ~ several of us do so and it is on-going.

Anna shows great interest in my grandson, Peter, and I was quite touched this Christmas when she handed me a Christmas Card from her and her family.

My next RAK for week 2 will be  shown on Friday 20th February.

Please link back to Betsy HERE 
To see what she and others participating have been up to click on the links set up at the foot of her post and read the comments.

46 comments:

  1. Hi Ed, That made interesting reading. We too have a young Romanian girl in town who sells The Big Issue. I don't go into town as much as I used to, but if I do and I see her I give her a fiver for a copy, because truthfully I find it an interesting read. The last time I saw her was last Wednesday, and when she saw me her face lit up and I got a big smile and a "'ello" from her.

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    1. Great minds . . . and I'm sure she appreciates it . . .:)

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  2. That is a beautiful post. Anna will be in my prayers tonight.
    :0)

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    1. Thank you Martha and it is great you are praying for her . . . :)

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  3. Aw - this is great, Eddie. How nice that the whole community is involved and looking out for her. She must feel incredibly supported and loved. All the little and not-so-little things here and there certainly add up. And I am sure it encourages her, on those darker days, to keep working towards her goal. Well done, you! xx

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    1. Thanks Suzie ~ you have such a big heart . . . :)

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  4. Oh, yes. I remember you talking about her before! It's a wonderful thing the whole community is doing for her! Thanks for joining in, Ed....very inspiring! There are needy people all around if we just take the time to notice!

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    1. Yes, there is a lot we can do to help people like Anna . . . :)

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  5. Eddie, this is so wonderful to hear that Anna has people supporting her in all ways.

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  6. There but for the grace of God...
    I hope that Anna is able to get the education she needs..and the job she deserves...she sounds lovely.
    Jane x

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    1. Thanks Jane . . .yes we are most fortunate and that is all the more reason to try to help others . . .
      I hope she gets on in the world . . . I have a suspicion she will . . . :)

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  7. Great to read this Eddie! Always a great feeling knowing someone is better today because of something we may have done yesterday. Keep it up!

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  8. You are indispensable in all this I'm sure, Eddie



    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    <3

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    1. You are such a dear, Cloudia . . . .
      Thank you . . . . . :)

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  9. What a wonderful RAK. I was so touched as I read of Anna and the acts of kindness you and other in your community do. That is very heart warming. I too will keep her in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you Wanda . . . . I am coming over to see your's soon . . . :)
      Thank you for praying for her . . .that is the best gift of all . .

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  10. It's so nice of you and your community to care for this young lady. I'm sure her heart sings as a result. You mentioned she has two children. Would one of them be a little girl that could possibly use a new coat? I have one to give, if so. The size is a child's size 10-12, most 8-10 year girls are this size. You can find me linking up to Betsy's RAK. You can contact me there. ~Laurie

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    1. Thanks Laurie ~ very kind of you but Anna's daughter (she has a son as well) is just a baby . . . :)
      You are very kind . . :)

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    2. I understand. I will find that special little girl. Thanks for coming over for a visit. I'm your new follower, too. Looking forward to reading your blog regularly.

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  11. Stopping by from Betsy's to see what everyone else did for their RAK.

    Each fall I work on a fund drive for a fraternal organization. We stand outside of stores and offer candy when someone gives us a donation. The vast majority of people pass on the candy, saying we should give it to someone else.

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    1. Thanks Kathy . .
      I like your idea for each fall with the candy . . :)

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  12. Wonderful, the small things that can truly make a difference in someones life. Bless your heart.
    Shug

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  13. that is cool on the parrish meal....
    and i lov ehow you are helping anna....we have a similar program here
    will keep her in my prayers

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  14. You have a wonderful community of folks in your life... and so does Anna. blessings ~ tanna

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  15. Look out! Your BIG heart is showing!

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    1. Thanks Christine ~ I'll try my best to look out . . . lol

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  16. It's wonderful that everyone is doing what they can for Anna and her family. So many struggle to make it while so many have the means to help but don't. Blessings to all of you, Tammy

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  17. Anna has landed among some very good people.

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  18. It takes a community, as they say. And any community that has you as a member is lucky, indeed.

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    1. Aww Hilary ~ you are too kind . . . you make me blush lol . . . :)

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  19. Thank you for all your kind comments ~ I shall reply to each one tomorrow . . . :)

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  20. Hi Eddie...
    Lovely...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Thank you Linda . . . . I know I am . . . lol . . . . .:)

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  21. That is a very kind random act- Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. Thank you Terri ~ Happy Valentine's Day to you too . . . :)

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  22. What a wonderful act of kindness, Eddie! My heart was touched! Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you Stephanie I am looking forwards to next week . . . . :)

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  23. Yes, little acts of kindness can improve the lives of others.
    I hope my little acts of kindness are making a difference. Little things make big things if lots of people do them.
    Maggie x

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    1. Thanks Maggie . . I am sure your RAKs make a big difference . . . :) x

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