When I started this 40th Birthday Project several months ago, I set up a “Sponsors” page for anyone who would like to contribute to my adventures. Since that time I’ve received donations of books, Starbucks gift cards, and beauty supplies. One donation came from a teacher I work with who slipped a little card in my mailbox one day:
(It says: “I had a chance to read your blog and was so very moved! I’d like to donate this gift card to your cause. Keep up the fabulous work!”)
Enclosed was a $45 gift card to the Eric Winn Salon. Wow! This was the largest contribution I have received thus far! I’ve been holding on to the card waiting for “just the right moment” to bless someone else. Today, my mind was reeling with the news of shootings and violence from the midwest to the east coast and my heart was overwhelmed with sadness and heaviness. Leaving work, I reached into my purse for some chapstick when I felt the sharp edges of an envelope poking my fingers. The gift card! I could bless someone else as my very own pick-me-up and be an example of the good in this world!
I wrote a quick note on the back of my business card and drove to the salon.
I had never been to this salon before, but the sign said “Hair – Nails – Facials” so I assumed it was a nice place to visit for some pampering. Entering the studio, I was immediately impressed by the cozy and inviting surroundings. I almost wished I was waiting for an appointment just so I could relax in the front room!
I approached the receptionist and was greeted with a smile. Explaining that I wanted to do a random act of kindness, I handed her the gift card with my note and asked her to give it to the next person who checked out. “Be blessed!” I said as I turned and walked out of the studio.
I may never know who received my blessing today, but I hope my kindness brought a smile to their face. Today was such a tragic day for so many people… and to put it simply, I’m just at a loss for words. All I could do was pray and be kind to others. So that is what I did.
That is amazing!
Dear Tamara,
I am the person that was so incredibly blessed to receive your amazing ramdom act of kindness last Friday. To say that I was stunned is putting it mildly. I wept at the generosity of a complete stranger. What you could not have known is that part of that gift card went toward my 11 year old daughter’s haircut. What you also could not have known is that I am a preschool teacher’s aide and between my two classes I have a total of 20 3yr olds. A coincidence? No…it was the good Lord working through you to give me a sign of comfort on what was such a painfully tragic day for all of us, especially the families of those 20 sweet babies that lost their lives! Nothing like this has ever happened to me before and I can’t wait to pay it forward! THANK YOU for being a blessing to me and so many others…God bless you!!!
Deana Sutton