Kindness

Denette's mom, my Aunt Laurel, has been in an assisted living for a few years. She isn't able to take care of herself, and Denette can't take care of her, either. I went to visit her when I was in Phoenix in March, and was sorry that I couldn't spend more time hanging out with her. It was deliberately planned to be a short trip for me, just a long weekend from work, so I only saw her once while I was there.

Afterward, I asked Tami if she'd be interested in sending cards/letters to Laurel. Tami has something like 10 million pen pals, give or take, and writes and receives literally hundreds of letters every year. I don't know where she finds the time to do all she does. No wonder she's swamped all the time, huh?

Tami, predictably, said yes. She knew that Laurel probably would not be able to write letters in return, but was willing to send some anyway. I have been sending cards and letters, too. It's something that I know is very important to my aunt, and worth the little bit of time it takes for me to do it.

Laurel couldn't believe that a stranger would send her mail, but she really appreciated it. She emailed me (before her computer bit the dust) and talked about how wonderful it must be to have a friend like Tami. She's right about that. :)

So Laurel fell a couple weeks ago and broke some bones in her lower leg/foot. Had to have an emergency surgery in the middle of the night. After being in the hospital for about six days, she was moved to a rehabilitation home.

Denette is swamped right now with her granddaughter moving in/her job and other personal things and isn't able to go see her mom every day.

I asked Tami if she thought any of her pen friends would send a card or postcard to my aunt. She put the word out on one of her Facebook groups.

I got a text Saturday saying that one of her friends lives close to my aunt and was going to go visit her.

When I got home, there was an email in my inbox with a photo of my aunt, a stranger and a huge bouquet of flowers.
How kind and amazing is that?

Someone who doesn't know me or my aunt, but wanted to do something nice.

So I emailed the person who took flowers to my aunt. A complete stranger who did a random act of kindness because I have an amazing friend.

Thanks, Tami.