When words aren't enough,

what do you do?

Sunrise Over the Mountains © Kathryn LeRoy

I cannot—not—acknowledge the tragedy of this past week in Uvalde, Texas. At one elementary school, nineteen children and two teachers died, 17 were wounded, and a community, a state, a nation, and the world waited for action. Since Tuesday, our screens have overflowed with information, conjecture, anger, tears, frustration, and deep unquenchable sorrow.

On Monday of this week, I decided to share a story of human kindness. The next day, I had no words.

Then, I began to see what happens after any disaster or personal tragedy. People gather. They find ways to help, comfort, and make a difference.

That’s the humanity I’ve chosen to share. An unexpected gesture of thoughtfulness and respect occurred in a home improvement parking lot.

The garden project, which we began in early May, still required additional work for drainage and keeping out the smaller furry animals who like to nibble on tomatoes and carrot greens.

The young man parked next to us, prepared to pull out as we reached our vehicle. When he saw us with 12 heavy stepping stones and bags of pea gravel, he pulled back into the spot.

What he did next stunned us. He jumped out and began loading our truck. We couldn’t stop him. He smiled, “I do this kind of work all day.”

He left just as quickly, and all we had time to say was “thank you.”

Simple acts of kindness. We need them. Every day.

I wrote about a mother’s love and a boy in the green shirt.

In his “Steady” newsletter, Dan Rather shared videos of children playing the marimba and spoke of the power of music. I thought they were worth sharing again with you.

Any song from the  One Voice Children’s Choir will touch your heart—“See You Again.”

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
— Nelson Mandela

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”
— John F. Kennedy

Find a little wonder this week, and act to make this world a better place for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Southern Magnolia © Kathryn LeRoy

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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