The goal of writing to a person in prison is to let them know they are not forgotten. Through letters, we show compassion, caring, and understanding. I joined the Twin Cities Prison Ministry several years ago to help provide a presence to those affected by incarceration.

In a letter I received from my first pen pal, Donald, he said how sorry he was for taking so long to write, but he didn’t have money to buy stamps. He went on to say how my letter  put a very big smile on his face.  “Friends are hard to find” he wrote, and “Where there was no hope, now there is hope.”  I also appreciated knowing he’s praying for me and my family. Every letter ended with “write real soon.”

Lenny’s first letter began with how happy and thankful he was to receive a letter and for taking time out of a …
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Often it’s the little things we do that have the greatest impact. Spontaneous acts of kindness can leave a little sparkle in someone’s day.

Need a few ideas?

*  Tell your best friend what you appreciate about them
*  Leave a note on someone’s windshield wishing them a good day
*  Buy a box of cookies and take them to a domestic abuse shelter
*  Tell the next service person you encounter how good they are at what they do
*  Fill a bag with snacks, socks and a bottle of water. Toss it in your car and hand
it to the next homeless person you see.

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‘Tis the season to be kind.  What’s in your cup?

Little Rosie had no money, so she “borrowed” a beautiful handkerchief from her mother’s purse and carefully wrapped it in bright tissue paper to give to her mama on Christmas morning.  That gift was never forgotten.

The value of a gift is the thought that goes into it.  The gifts we tend to remember are those which are wrapped with love.

A gift you might give yourself this season could be a cupful of kindness spilled on anonymous receivers.

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World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. This organization was formed at a Tokyo conference in 1997 when Japan brought kindness organizations of multiple nations together and emphasized the necessity of a global kindness movement. Currently, over 28 countries are a part of the World Kindness Movement group.

This day is now celebrated on November 13 each year to emphasize the importance of being kind and to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.  On World Kindness Day, groups and individuals are encouraged to go out of their way to be kind to others.  It’s also a good reminder to let others around us know how much we appreciate their kindness.

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Scattering kindness is how Matt Blair lived his life, and how I believe he would want to be remembered.  While “He embodied the best of what it means to be a Viking” said Mark Wilf, Minnesota Vikings Owner, he was also so much more.

I had the privilege of inviting Matt to a number of nonprofit events where he thrilled kids and shared his love of life.  A memory I’ll always treasure is when Matt joined Jerelyn Steele on stage at the Mall of America to sing “Stand By Me.”

While Matt Blair is no longer part of this world, his kindness lives on.

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