August 19 - Neighborly Love

Day 230 of a year of Kindness

Libby Cunningham, ambassador #27, shared kindness with a neighbor.

My friend, Libby, lives in Seattle. She and her husband have lived next to their neighbors for almost 30 years. Her neighbors, Peggy and Don, did all the neighborly things you would imagine like picking up mail, checking on plants or bringing over extra food they couldn’t eat. Sometimes, Lib would share coffee with Peggy in the mornings. She always remembered Don’s birthday because it was the same as her father - September 3.

One of Libby’s living room windows looks directly into the kitchen window of Peggy and Don’s home. Many times throughout the years they would wave at each other from these windows.This summer Don, 74, became very ill and was hospitalized. He returned home recently under hospice care. He wanted to live long enough to see his next birthday but sadly died a few days ago at 9:03 a.m. instead of 9.03.25.

In honor of Don, Libby put a handmade poster on the living room window that faces their neighbor’s kitchen. Peggy reached out to Libby as soon as she saw it. She was so moved by her sign and its placement - their long-standing tradition still included Don.

Science of Kindness: Research shows that reaching out to those who are grieving provides comfort and support and helps them feel less alone. #kindness #kindnessmatters #kindnessisfree #neighbors