We all know what that stands for. Random Act of Kindness.

I am sharing this experience with you because there is a lesson in here for everyone.

I was at WalMart with the kiddos the other day. As you see in yesterday’s post, I was in the market for cheap-slip-on-Crock-like shoes for Claire. Something that I don’t mind if she destroys. Out of the blue Porter says, “Mom, let’s get these for Little Abbie!” We call her “Little Abbie”, by the way, because we also adore another Abbie friend who is 19. The age results in the “Big Abbie” nickname. Funny thing is that Big Abbie is totally petite.

Back to the shoe isle. In response to Porter I’m pretty sure the word “random” came out of my mouth. Because it was. Porter spotted some fun, pink shoes and randomly thought of our 10-year-old friend Abbie.

Random? For sure. Thoughtful? Absolutely.

“You know what, Porter? That’s super nice and a super great idea. Let’s do it.”

The shoes were on clearance for $3, so I knew that even if Abbie didn’t like them, it was not a big deal. I texted her mom to get her shoe size and the kids and I talked about how fun it will be to surprise for her. We gathered up a few treats at the store and then picked up a picture at home that Claire drew for Abbie earlier in the week. I guess she was on Claire’s mind, too.

By the way, I have no idea why Abbie was on my kids’ minds, but it didn’t matter. I was totally game for playing along.

So we go by Abbie’s house. Luckily she was home. With a twinkle in her eye, she seemed genuinely delighted to see my kids. They handed her a few goodies and with a big hug, we told her it was “Random-We-Love-Abbie-Day” and that was it.

The kids and I were on a high. What a fun experience! The shoes were pretty random but the lesson is this: My kids had an instinct. A specific friend was on their mind and they thought of something specific to do for her. Out of the blue. How many of us get an instinct like this? A feeling. A prompting. A fleeting thought. Call it what you want. But it happens to all of us. We get this idea to do something for someone, even if it’s totally RANDOM. But how often do we ACT on that prompting with KINDNESS?

As we head into the weekend, I urge you to pay attention to the next little feeling you get that you should do something for someone. Whether you know them or not.

And then … do it.

By the way, the whole pay-it-forward concept is in full force. Abbie’s mom told me later that Abbie had been in a pouty mood. This little surprise turned things around. She was practically bouncing up & down, grinning ear to ear, immediately hung up the picture and wore the shoes.

The best part? She told her mom, “I want to celebrate random someone day.” She is currently planning to surprise another kid. Someone whose name she doesn’t even know.

As the old saying goes … that’s what it’s all about.

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Speaking of random … a warm congratulations to our 2 randomly chosen winners from this week’s give-away!

Renee in Williamsburg, Virginia won a copy of Pascale Wowak’s photography book. Renee, email Pascale to claim your prize. [ pascale.w@sbcglobal.net ]

Kirsten in Columbus, Ohio won the [Shey B] camera strap slipcover. Kirsten, email [ customerservice@beckyhiggins.com ] and we’ll send that to you.

Oh my. Just wait until you see next week’s give-away. This was just getting you warmed up.