One day that is difficult is the anniversary of my son’s death.  I try not to let my son’s death define who I am but he will always live in my heart. Some year’s I have spent the time with my daughter-in-law and my son’s two children, my grandchildren, remembering together our happy memories. Some years I spend it with my daughter and her family by going to one of my son’s favorite places, the Morton Arboretum.  If you ever do go to the Morton Arboretum, you will find my son’s memorial brick, close to my dear friend’s son’s memorial brick.  Both of our son’s died from cancer at a too early age.

No matter whom I am with, I need to be in nature on November 8th, to honor how Brian has bought so many to appreciate the nature of our beautiful country.  Two years ago we decided to spend a day at Wegner’s Crystal Mine in Mt Ida, Arkansas.  It was a wonderful choice.  They take you into a forest where you dig for crystals.  We went on an open air truck with two couples.  As we were going to the crystal field, I was thinking about Brian.  I was thinking how he would have loved doing this with us.

I looked at the two couples that just happen to be going with us.  Both of the men looked like my Brian with their beards, wearing their Carhartts. Tears started streaming down my face. I couldn’t help feeling how unfair it was that I was with these strangers, instead of spending the time with my son, who would have loved doing this.  I buried my head in my husband’s shoulder so no one would see.  I didn’t want to ruin the day for me or anyone.

Both of the other couples had been there numerous times and ran off to their favorite places.  We had no clue what to do.  Bill, the driver, showed us some things to look for to help us.  I actually had fun sitting in the red clay shoveling for crystals.

When it was almost time to leave, one of the couple came over and showed us a beautiful rock with crystals on it and asked if we wanted it.  Their buckets were full and they thought we would appreciate having it because our buckets were pretty empty in comparison. They share their area so we could find even more before our time was up. I asked him if I could hug him for his kindness and told him he looked like my son.  We embraced and for a moment I felt I had Brian’s arms around me.  He never knew what that hug meant or what I was going through that day, but I will never forget him with his necklace that looked just like Brian’s.

Then Bill came back for us and he told me that a pile of crystals were for me, he had been hunting for crystals for us.  I was so appreciative of his kindness that day.  He was so sweet and considerate; it helped to restore my faith in mankind.   These two very kind gestures were simple to give but were monumental to the receiver…me.   Any other day, they may not have been needed, but that day I needed to see the love of others.

Never, ever, underestimate what kindness can do.  You never know what the other person is going through.   A little kindness can take away tears. They did for me that day.

Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com  I love hearing your kindness stories.  Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!