The Kindness of Strangers

For many people these days, it may seem like kindness is hard to come by.  With the uneasy state of the world today, it’s so easy to lose hope.  For some, it’s natural to remember to be kind…and for others, they really have to work at it.

A few nights ago, I arrived home to a large box on my front porch.  Another Amazon delivery I assumed, and went on with our whirlwind dinner/bath/bedtime routine with the girls. After the house was finally asleep, we opened up the box.

Inside of it was a handmade, custom built push scooter. Designed, measured, assembled and painted, JUST for Mira.  My heart immediately burst as my brain realized who this was from.

A few months back, I received a text message from my friend and fellow mother of a beautiful baby girl born with Dwarfism, Kathryn. It was a picture of her daughter (and I swear Mira’s non-biological twin), Lizzy, walking with the help of this scooter. I remember telling her how amazing it was. “You want one?” she said.  

That was the last time I thought about it.

The package was from a man named Jim. He lives in Georgia. Last year, he lost his beloved wife to cancer and since her death; he has been looking for ways to occupy his time and his mind. Making scooters for children with Dwarfism was one of them.  He also happens to be an old college friend of Kathryn’s father. He knows Lizzy, heard about Mira and he simply wanted to do something special for them. 

The box arrived without so much as a return address. No note, no expectations, just a man with some extra time on his hands and kindness in his heart wanting to help.

As you can imagine, finding the right products, whatever they may be, for a child with Dwarfism can be difficult. The discrepancy between her age and her size has proven to be a challenge and will continue to be throughout her life.  Receiving a gift, from a stranger, that will ultimately help Mira learn to walk, and feel comfortable and safe doing so, is priceless, remarkable and unbelievably kind.

Random acts of kindness, like the one we just received, are kept in my memory like treasures inside of a box.  I revisit them on those days when I need an extra reminder that there is kindness in the world.

Thank you Jim for this very special treasure. 

Mira's Custom Scooter!

She likes it.

A lot.