Fall Fun-RAOK

This quote reminds me of the sentiment behind carrying out a random act of kindness. Spread a little happiness to the life of another person even though you may not be able to witness the enjoyment of your gesture. The theme for today is…RAOK; those simple little kindnesses bestowed, unbidden and unexpected, upon someone you may only meet for a moment or may never meet at all.

Although the above card is a thank-you for a charitable donation we

You can’t beat a handwritten note

make yearly to a summer camp for kids, it shows the impact that a small gesture can have. In the case of Camp Fitch, it can change the lives of the attendees who would never have afforded the opportunity to experience a great summer camp without the generosity of donations. Helping them build a more solid foundation to their young lives.

My RAOKs weren’t as impactful as donating money or devoting my time to a non-profit summer camp, but I hope they brought a smile to the faces of their recipients. I enjoyed putting these little wax gifts together because I knew that they would be much appreciated.

Firstly, I sent a small pack of fall melts and coffee k-cups to the guidance counselor at the high school where my husband teaches. Not only is it important to respect and rely on the school counselor if you’re a teacher, but this nice lady was my former coworker as well. She has a little wax melter in her office and I know that she tries to make it an inviting spot for students to visit.

I wished her a happy school year and fondly remembered that she saved my butt, literally. She recommended a quality acupuncturist to treat some health issues I was going through. I had a fractured sacrum due to radiation treatments a few years ago, and could barely sit on a soft bed without shooting tailbone pain. The acupuncture was a significant help and I’m grateful she pushed me to go.

Next I was excited to put together a wax package for our friend, Jessica, from The Meltdown Blog:) She has been so helpful over the last few months and was one of my first blog supporters. Sometimes, as a blogger you can feel like you’re writing in a vacuum and wonder if you are connecting to anyone…well, Jessica knows all she’s done, but I will publicly credit her with my Super Tarts addiction because she gave me notice for my first opening of ST!

Picking wax for Jess was a fun challenge because we have nearly opposite wax tastes!

Lastly, I will bestow these Yankee tarts and teas to a current co-worker who filled in at the library while my supervisor was on vacation. She and I had to deal with a few ridiculous patron incidents and I was once again thankful for the back-up. Also, she’s said that she loves Yankee tarts but rarely treats herself to any because she’s on a tight budget and can’t afford frivolity. (I believe wax is more of a necessity, but I understand her meaning:)

I suppose my acts aren’t truly random because I know these people, but in each case, I belive they were unexpected gifts for a forgotten about past, or present kindness.

If you are inspired, as I am, to continue the kindness, I recommend these books for ideas on ways to give.

  

My sister was on the receiving end of an RAOK recently when a neighbor decorated her front porch and those of the surrounding neighbors with corn stalks and a pumpkin from the person’s own garden. What a festive surprise!

-jaybird