June 29 - Sweet Fifi

Day 180 of a year of Kindness

Today’s kindness is hard to write. My cousin died this morning. Her name was Fifi Stewart and she was 80. She got sick quickly and she died quickly. She was a wonderful person with a big laugh and a bigger heart. I want to share how one of this year's kindnesses is bringing me comfort as I think about her.For Valentine’s Day, my mother and I sent out lots of Valentine’s cards and one of them was to Fifi, who lived in Arizona. A week later, she sent us this text:

“So, I was sitting in the passenger side of the car, sobbing uncontrollably because we were on the way to the vets to have the cat in my lap, put to sleep. My 18-year-old LuLuBelle had come to the end of her life and it was time. Lenny swung by the communal mailboxes to pick up our mail on the way and there was your Valentine card. Honestly, could you be any more wonderful, kind, caring, loving, capable, smart, foxy, adorable, Chickadee??? The answer is NOPE. It brought a big smile to my face when my heart was aching. All that love got me through the ordeal. Thank you soooo much. It made my day…In conclusion, you got me through a really tough week with your cards and caring and I love you both for it!!!”

I remember being so happy that our card got to her when she needed it. And as I sit here tonight, I am comforted because I know that she knew how much we loved her. I think she would have known that without a card, but she got a reminder during a tough time. Life goes by too fast. Kindness makes a difference. If you can, send a card to someone you love. It will matter.

Science of kindness: My own research says that reminding people that you love them - especially family who live far away - will be a source of comfort and make a difference. #bekind #kindnessiscontagious #kindnessisfree #kindnessmatters