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Caring Hearts

An Antidote to Sadness

During this pandemic with the need to shelter in place, there is only one thing I have missed.   Many people have missed eating in restaurants and shopping, but the only thing I have deeply missed is hugs, especially from my mom.  It has been over 140 days since I have hugged my 96-year-old mom.  Luckily, my mom lives in a downstairs apartment, so I can see her through her window. While I stand outside her window we talk on the phone, it reminds me how you communicate with people in jail.  It is not optimal, but it does bring a smile on her face and mine.

So, when one of my loyal readers advised how her art teacher communicated love to her mom in a nursing home, I knew I needed to honor her with a “Caring Heart Award.”  Caring Heart Awards are given to everyday people that do acts of kindness.   Audrey Bottrell Parks, like me has not been able to give her mom a hug since early March.

Audrey had a choice to be sad about not being able to hug her mom or to do something to make the situation better. She thought about having a concert in the yard, but the residents were not allowed to open their windows.  Taking action was her antidote for her sadness.

  Audrey decided to paint cheerful pictures on the residents’ windows, to cheer them and to let them know there are people that care. She practiced at home on her sliding glass door to make sure the painting looked good from the outside and inside.  She found if she painted thin enough the picture would seem to glow.   Audrey and two of her friends painted windows the first day. The teary-eyed staff came to see the windows.  The staff explained how difficult it has been for the residents and the staff.   She came back numerous days until there were about 100 painted windows for both the residents and the staff,  She put a little heart on every window to let them know that they are loved, and they are not forgotten.

“It’s the least I could do to give them something. We all thought it was hard to be stuck at home, but we had our loved ones around us, we could have human contact, we could have hugs, we could go outside in our yard. They didn’t have that,” says Audrey. 

Audrey has a Caring Heart.  Her friend’s testimonial says in all. “Audrey is caring, comforting, and confirming in how she lives every aspect of her life.   When she sent me the pictures of the windows she had painted at her mother’s nursing home, I thought that this was such a visible demonstration of who Audrey is, deeply caring about others, and willing to give of herself, both time and talent, to bring a smile to other peoples’ lives.  I knew she would never give herself credit for what she did, so that is why I contacted the TV station to have them tell her story.  Her whole motive was not only to cheer up her Mom and the other patients and staff, but to spread good cheer so that others will do the same for others during this time of trial in all of our lives.”

Audrey’s hope is her paintings will inspire others to get creative to cheer up their family members isolated in nursing homes or others having difficulty. She feels what she did is a small thing but if everyone did a small act of kindness what a better world we would have.  If you are sad, one antidote, is to act, to do something to make someone else’s life a little happier.  Giving others what you need in your own life, you will be doubly blessed. You will bless others, as well as yourself.

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

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! 

How Strong is Your Net?

I don’t know what it is, but this year the colors of the spring flowers just seem brighter.  The daffodils, the forsythia bushes, redbud and magnolia trees just seem more vibrant. This made me think about how some people are just vibrant and full of life, and Mary came immediately to mind.  I asked Mary what brings such joy to her life. She responded that she just loves people. She gets joy when she can do something to bring joy to someone else or to make another’s life easier.  Nothing makes her happier than seeing her own joy reflected in others’ faces.

Jesus told us to be fishers of men, and Mary believes that God desires for us to be connected with others.  She explained, “It is as if God has given us a big fishing net.  Each time we connect with another in His love, those two points on the net are connected, and the net becomes bigger and stronger.   When we disconnect with someone, whether intentionally or not, the net weakens in that one place.  By reconnecting, we can help add or restore strength to the net God has given us.”

Mary lives her life caring for others.  She attempts to exhibit God’s love to those she meets.  She also works to keep old relationships connected.  She recently returned from a 20-day road trip where she reconnected with friends and family she hadn’t seen in a while.   For some it had been only months, and for others it had been nearly 50 years!  She saw more than 30 people in all, and she even made a couple of new connections.  The purpose of Mary’s trips was to see how people in her net are doing, and she believes God leads her  to know which connections to make each time.  There are always surprises.  In this last trip, she said what she noticed most was increased humility in many of her connections.  Most were happy, some had suffered greatly, and generally all were content with their places in life.

Mary has worked at many jobs. She has been a stock broker, real estate broker, spa manager, accountant and now a gallery owner for the second time.  She explained these jobs all provided the opportunity of reaching out to others in one way or another.

Mary’s life has not always been easy.  She has lost not only her parents but both of her younger brothers.  She has survived breast cancer and financial devastation.  She says that every time her heart is broken, it becomes softer.  When tragedy takes away those we love, we have a choice to remain sad, or as Mary states, find more people to love.

“Surviving tough times can give us a deeper understanding of others. God’s grace equips us with His mercy so that we can pour out the compassion we all need from time to time.”

With gratitude in my heart, I am very honored to bestow this month’s “Caring Heart Award” to Mary.  She brings God’s grace to everything she does.  If you would like to meet Mary, drop in at the Branson West Art Gallery.   She is the owner and a very talented artist.  While at the gallery, look for Mary’s fish paintings; some of them take her over a year to paint; talk about dedication to detail.  Mary, thank you for all you do.

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

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! 

Gifts of Warmth and Music

 

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.”  Steve Jobs

Congratulations to Rick and Reba, this month’s Caring Heart Award winners!  Rick and Reba, owners of Car Fi in Springfield, Missouri, were inspired by the book “Meaningful Work: A Quest To Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, And Feed Your Soul,” By Shawn Askinosie and Lawren Askinosie.  Shawn discusses the need of a business to look in your own neighborhood to find a need.  The Car Fi business is located on busy commercial street between two bus stops. People were walking and biking in front of their business in freezing weather without coats. They knew they had to do something. They did not hesitate, they did something immediately. Reba went to several thrift stores and bought some coats and placed them in their parking lot with the sign, “Need a coat? Take One. Have a coat? Leave one.”

 

 

Last winter over 1000 coats found new owners.  This winter even more coats were given. It is not unusual for 20 coats to find new recipients on cold days.  Due to so many coats, gloves, and hats being donated,  a  building was placed in front of the store called “ House of Coats.” It keeps things dry when weather is rainy and provides a storage area until the items  are put out on the street coat rack.

One of the recipients told Reba that he saw the street light shining in their parking lot one evening when it was snowing. He was on his way to a friend’s home to get warm.  He said the light looked like a beacon as he was biking the street. There was nothing he needed more in that moment than a warm coat.  There was no where else he could have gone in the middle of that cold night to get a coat.

Reba has a passion for helping the homeless and those in need and feels they should be treated without judgement. Her motto is, “Each of us is the same in God’s eyes.”  Her perspective is homelessness is just a temporary condition. Cards are placed in the pockets with an encouraging message. The card also has the Car-Fi address so they can be passed to a friend that may need a coat.

Another charity Rick and Reba are passionate about is Play It Forward SWMO. The mission is to ensure children in the SW Missouri are provided with the opportunity to discover his or her musical talents. Since 2015, over a hundred musical instruments have been given to low income children. They have done this by repairing used instruments that have been sitting in people’s basements and attics. To find out more see playitforwardswmo.org.

If you have used instruments, coast, scarves, gloves or much needed socks, you can drop them off at Car-Fi at 1600 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO.  Reba gets satisfaction from giving to those in need, but she also gets satisfaction from seeing the happiness in the eyes of the donors as they give, knowing they are making a difference by giving a gift of warmth or music,

Two other businesses in the surrounding area have taken up the torch and started the same model in their neighborhood…. So the good news and blessings are growing.

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! 

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

Servant’s Heart

No one is more cherished in this world than someone that lightens the burden of another.   Joseph Addison

 

Congratulations to this month’s Caring Heart Award winner, Janet Weber.   The Caring Heart Award is given to ordinary people that demonstrate every day kindness.

Life has not always been easy for Janet.  Her first marriage was difficult due to her husband’s alcoholic abuse which necessitated a divorce. Janet had to find a way to support herself and her two children ages two and four.  She moved in with her parents, learned to drive and found a job.  Later she discovered the love of her life and married him.  Unfortunately, seven months later he had a massive heart attack and died. She moved back with her parents and uncle and stayed with them until her two children finished college. Not long after, her mother passed away leaving Janet to care for her elderly father and uncle for many years, while working full time and welcoming her first grandchildren into their family.   As her aunts and uncles aged, Janet was there to drive them to appointments cemetery visits, and assist with business issues.  She was always available to help family and friends. You really can’t control what life throws at you but you can control how you react to it. As Janet’s daughter, Dawn, states, “Janet is strong and resilient.”

As her sister-in-law, Elaine, states, “Janet through it all continued to be the best Aunt to my sons and a supportive friend to me through my troubled times.  Janet has been so kind to me and my family and a long list of others throughout her life. To list all she has done for us would make a book.  As I suffered through an illness, she sat in my hospital room with another dear friend night and day, every day for a month.  Janet never complains, she only gives help and love.  Janet acts with love and compassion.”

As the Bible states; “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”  We can look at family requests as obligations or as opportunities to reflect and spread God’s Love. Kristina, who is married to Janet’s grandson, states that she will drop everything to do a kind deed for someone else to make their life a little easier, no matter how big or small.  Janet truly has a servant’s heart.

Janet has four grandchildren.  She has watched, participated and loved them through their growing years and college.  I love that as each child graduated and entered the full time working world, she would support them the first year out of school by doing their laundry and ironing for them.  How sweet is life when Grandma takes that one grown up chore off your plate while you learn a job.  What a wonderful way for her to build a connection with each grandchild.

The effort we put in to bring happiness to others is truly the beginning of a happier and content life for us.  To a Servant Heart, nothing brings more joy than helping others. Kristina also described Janet as, “Fun-loving – Jan loves to laugh, especially with her grandchildren who make her laugh the most”.  It is the everyday moments that bring Janet joy.

Irene, Jan’s friend, was asked to describe Janet in two words.  Her answer was, “My two words would be ‘valuable’ because I can’t imagine her not being my friend, and ‘kind-hearted’ because that is who she is. I feel it is an honor being in her life.”

What two words would your family and friends use to describe you?

 

Thanks to Elaine for nominating her sister-in-law for a Caring Heart Award.   If you know someone that deserves to be recognize for their everyday kindness. Please drop us an e-mail.

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! 

Can One Person Make a Difference?

Can one person make a difference? The answer is “Yes!” if your job is social director of an assisted living facility. The caregivers are the necessity for the residents as they are needed for their everyday physical needs.  Is that enough?   No, it is not enough, you need a “Diane!”   Someone that boosts the residents spirits, some one that make something special out of the ordinary.  I personally (as did my mom) love her seasonal decorations that just liven-up the facility with love, hope, and joy.  The decorations transformed the institution into something beyond walls and hallways.

Diane brings out “the heart” of the facility.  She makes an ordinary day into a special Bingo day.   She gets the residents active in the activities, no easy task when many think they would rather be alone.

I have worked with many people in many different jobs. I have to say that Dianne is one the most dedicated employees I have seen.   Her energy seems boundless and her fun colorful outfits and fun personality is just what the doctor ordered.   By putting her heart into her job she transforms an institutional setting into a homey, fun place for the residents.  She is always willing to give herself to raise the spirit of those around her. She truly cares about taking her job to another level, to raise the spirit of the people she interacts with.  She is such a treasure and I’m so glad she sees the residents as her friends and my mom is one of them.  Can one person make a difference?  The answer is “Yes” when you bring such joy to your job.

Do You Believe What You Wear?

What does your t-shirt say about you?  T-shirts logos and sayings are your message to the world. T-shirts herald many messages from sports teams, vacation locations, cartoon characters, movies (e.g. Star Wars) activities you love, restaurants (e.g.Hard Rock Cafe), designer’s logos or designer names. There are also humorous sayings, positive sayings and way too many negative shirts.  Have you ever thought about what your T-shirt says about you?  Well, Shawn Aswad has. She has added another category, compliments. She says she’s hoping to change the world, one compliment at a time, with her line of t-shirts.

She founded Complimentees last July on the hopes and dreams that positive words can change lives. That a positive message read, can bring a smile and make a difference in one life in that one moment. But with greater hopes that if we take that one and multiply it by thousands, all over the world, the change can be epic. As Shawn states, “We can never have enough kindness in the world, especially now in its current state.  But it goes farther than kindness and is about living a positive lifestyle.  If we can rid the negativity, the kindness will come!  Not everyone has the courage to go up to strangers and say something positive…but everyone can wear it.”

Examples of the compliments on her t-shirts include, “You Are You Powerfully Brave,” “You Look Fantastic” and “You Are a Superhero”.   My favorite is “You Make Me Smile.” The most popular is, “You Make Me Want to Dance.”

Abraham Lincoln knew the power of a compliment. Lincoln wrote in a letter to Thurlow Weed in 1865, as noted in Donald Phillips’ book, Lincoln on Leadership.  The passage says, “As a lawyer in Springfield the effect of his compliments on others provided a powerful motivational force in getting things accomplished.”

Shawn believes in complimenting others whenever she can.   How about you? How many compliments did you give yesterday?  How many times did you rebuke someone yesterday?  Did you say more positive words than negative words? It makes a difference to those around you, as well as, to yourself.   If you are not good at giving compliments perhaps a Complimentee would help change that.

Complimentees help fund Shawn’s dog rescue, Snooty Giggles.  Shawn founded Snooty Giggles over a decade ago to rescue dogs with special needs and/or medical needs.  She has saved thousands of dogs. So, every shirt helps physically challenged dogs and perhaps brings a smile to someone that really needs it.  To Shawn the dogs of Snooty Giggles have always been her inspiration and motivation for positive living; the dogs are always giving unconditional love even with their physical challenges. She believes that there is no such thing as special needs, only super powers.

Shawn is a Caring Heart winner for spreading kindness one shirt at a time, for loving dogs that others may no longer love, and most of all for making the world a better, more positive place, one t-shirt at a time.  She always believes what she wears.

Why not give ten compliments today and it that is too difficult perhaps you should purchase a Complimentee at https://complimentees.com/.

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! 

She Opened Her Eyes and Knew She Had to Help

“You can close your eyes to the things you don’t want to see, but you can’t close your heart to the things you don’t want to feel.” Johnny Depp

Have you ever seen something so unthinkable, you wished it could be erased from your mind as if you never saw it? Well, that is exactly the first reaction of second grade teacher, Krysten Case, when she heard about the human trafficking happening in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. In that Ohio County approximately 1,200 women are arrested each year for solicitation. Over 92% are identified as victims of human sex trafficking — first trafficked for sex at the average age of 13 through force, fraud, or coercion. It is easy to close our eyes but it is happening all over our country, in every state. At first, Krysten spent a lot of time trying to forget about human trafficking for about a year, but various things about it kept popping back up into her world until she knew she had to open her eyes.

Many of us when we hear about terrible situations we close our eyes, but not Krysten. She researched to find out the facts and was deeply moved by the stories of the women enslaved by human trafficking. She had not realized human trafficking was happening in the United States, we tend to think of it as an over-seas problem. She also learned about Freedom ala Cart. Krysten states, “This non-profit organization helps the human trafficking survivors restore, rebuild, and begin their lives as the women they were made to be. The work they do is incredible. No one else has the model they have…walking women from their very first step into CATCH court, all the way to gaining their permanent independence, establishing employment, and reuniting with their children and families.” (CATCH stands for Changing Actions To Change Habits. It’s a special docket court created by Judge Paul Herbert in Columbus, Ohio. See catchcourt.org to find out more.)

When God whispered in her ear; Krysten knew she had to do something. She knew she couldn’t eradicate it and she knew what she could do was only a drop in the bucket. Many times the problem seems so huge we don’t see where we fit in; so we don’t try. However, God gave Krysten a picture of the jewelry she was to make, a metal circle with “free” stamped in it. She had no idea how to create it, but Krysten and her husband found a way to do it and FancyFreedomDesigns was born.

The funny thing about being only a drop in the bucket, the drops accumulate and become something greater, just like those buckets at water parks that accumulate water and when full enough, they tip over to cool off the willing swimmers with a big splash.

With every piece of jewelry worn, one more person becomes aware and they can then share the story and more drops are added into the bucket. With every piece sold more money is donated and another survivor is helped.

I am proud to present Krysten Case with this month’s Caring Heart Award for her determination to be a positive force for human trafficking survivors, just by taking small steps toward making a difference. Krysten opened her eyes and became an inspiration to us all, because if a second grade teacher can make a difference why can’t we all? Thank you, Krysten, for you dedication, passion and courage. If everyone put in a drop, the bucket would spill even faster. Just think what could be accomplished.

In Krysten’s words, “We are all here on this planet for a reason. We have things to do, people to influence and to inspire, a difference to make somewhere, somehow in this world. There are so many things in the world that need attention, time, money, solutions. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed by this. Not every problem is meant for you to fix or solve. Keep an eye open for the things that tug at your heart over and over. Listen closely to those small nudges toward the same thing again and again. If you’re a praying person, ask God to help show you which solution you need to become a part of. When you land on it, this is your bucket, so to speak. Once you find it, start putting as many drops in as you can! (And if you aren’t sure what it is yet…start putting drops in any bucket for now…Just start small and keep going. You’ll figure it out.”)

So, do you Fancy Freedom? Then show it by wearing or giving a unique piece of jewelry, and help fight modern-day slavery.  Why not shop Krysten’s store?  She does great custom work.  I love my bracelet!

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

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! 

Does Your Voice Smile?

There are some people you can just hear the smile in their voice.  I hear the smile in Andrea’s voice.  Andrea is my granddaughter’s piano teacher.   She is an amazing teacher, who relates well to children.  She sees the wonder and positivity in everything; her excitement is contagious.  

 

Andrea also relates well to adults.  I will never forget her kindness.  I took Ally to her piano lesson.  Unfortunately, when we were ready to leave to my dismay my car would not turn over; the battery was dead.  It was a dreadfully cold night of 10 degrees with a chilly wind.  Andrea said, “No problem!  I can jump your car!”   Andrea missed her appointment, pushed my car so she could get her car in position and successfully jumped my car.  She also made sure my phone was adequately charged, in case I didn’t make it home.   All this was amazing enough, but she perceived this not as inconvenience but as an adventure.   I often feel guilty when I inconvenience others but Andrea willingness was unbelievable, she made me feel like we were having a fun ladies night.  

 

The next time I am able to support and help someone, I will remember that frigid night when Andrea voice warmed my heart.   I hope a missed appointment, chilly fingers or any other inconvenience will not show in my voice.  I hope my willingness will come across crystal clear.   By the way, I now know how to jump a car; Andrea is a great teacher!  I award Andrea with this month’s Caring Heart Award for her willingness and kindness.

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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! 

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

Everyone thinks they are kind, but how kind are you, really?  Live Kinder helps you consider how you can be kinder.  Order the book for yourself and others to help make our world a kinder place.

You Can Change the World!

I believe we all can change the world.  Of course, we are not all destined to be Mother Teresa, but I do believe, we all are put on the earth to help and love one another in our own way.  That’s what Caring Heart Winners do; they change their piece of the world.  A good example is this month’s Caring Heart Winner, Nina Fournier.

 

Nina with her husband, Al, founded Janie’s Dolly’s for Recovery, a non-profit organization. Janie’s Dolly’s was conceived in April 2017.  The first doll was given away in May 2017.  Unfortunately, Al passed away last September. Nina’s grief over Al’s passing has been made more tolerable by knowing she is carrying out a dream that he envisioned. Nina said it has impacted all aspects of her life; most notably, her heart.

 

Janie’s Dolly’s donates an 18 inch doll with a scrub outfit complete with a stethoscope and also a party dress to girls that are in the hospital for extended medical treatments.  Some of the girls had horrific dog bites, brain tumors, extreme burns, or chronic eye treatments; what they all have in common was they all needed something to smile about. Nina’s mission is to bring a smile to seriously ill girls, to let them forget their troubles while they play with their dolls. What I find endearing about Nina is she uses her talents and passion to be kinder to others, to make a small piece of the world a better place.  What a better world we would have if we all did more kind acts.

 

Even though, we are not all destined to be Mother Teresa, we can all change someone’s world through our talents. If all you can do today is to support those that want to change the world, that is enough for today.   At the very least, go support Nina’s mission by “liking” and “following” her face book page, Janies Dollys   If you can do more, she’ll appreciate money to buy dolls, or donations of material or fasteners to make doll clothes, or just your prayers and encouragement. I have decided to help her by making buttons for her dolly’s clothes.    For more information, see her web page.  You can also contact Nina via email on behalf of a doll aged girl in an extended medical situation. She will need parental permission.  Nina has sent dolls all over the United States. 

 

If you have been thinking about how you can make a difference, go ahead and do it.  You, too, can change the world for the better, at least your piece of it.   In Mother Teresa’s words, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

 

Nina’s advice:  “It is a humbling experience to find out what others go through. Please take a step to help in whatever way you can.  If more people helped one another sincerely, this world would be a better place. Volunteer, help others and enjoy the interaction.”

Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?

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! 

When You Are Blessed, You Should Bless

I have had many great bosses over my career and Peggy was one of them. We bonded by being female in a male dominated engineering company.  I admire many things about Peggy, one of them is she never complained about people and let me tell you there were many she could have complained about. The second reason I admire Peggy is she lives her religious convictions.

Peggy’s favorite charity is Fellowship Housing. (Click here to find out more.) This is a wonderful charity that is fighting homelessness and poverty, one single mom at a time..  Their mission is to empower single moms by taking an intensive two-year program that takes them from the verge of homelessness to being confident, independent and financially stable.  Fellowship housing exemplifies the proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”.  To modify for fellowship housing’s mission, it would read, Give a mom money your feed her family for a day, but give her financial skills you change her children’s life forever..

Peggy and David (Peggy’s husband) are Investor Property Partners with Fellowship Housing.  They have bought not one, but four town homes that they have fixed up and are currently occupied by single moms and their children.  Rather than renting out the town homes at market price, they rent it to a Fellowship Housing mom at a reduced rate. Peggy and David believe when you are blessed you bless others.

One of the furnaces broke in one of the town homes on the coldest winter day, Peggy made sure someone was available to fix it.  She was at the home and without even blinking an eye gave the HVAC man her credit card.  She not only paid the $700 bill but gave a prayer of thanksgiving that she was able to do so.  She was grateful for the opportunity.  Now, that is what I call a kind heart.

Many single moms hit a low point in their life, either because of bad choices, bad luck, medical conditions or other factors. Fellowship Housing moms are working full time to get their life on track.  I don’t know about you, but when I was working full time with children, it was not an easy road, even with a husband to share the work load. Our society judges single moms too many times as failures and don’t understand how hopeless they feel.  I am thankful that there are people that are breaking the poverty cycle by caring to give a hand up.   This week’s Caring Heart award goes to Peggy and David Shumway!

Discussion points: 

How many chances should a person get?

Who have you judged and should have blessed them instead?

Caring heart award is given to those that are unsung heroes in our society.  If you would like to give a caring heart award to someone you know, please fill out the contact form at LiveKinder.com.  I would love to honor them on my Live Kinder blog.

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!