Kindness is a very big thing

There was absolutely no doubt in my mind what today's blog should be about - Kindness, and the huge impact a kind word or deed can have. I need to say some very big thank you's! This morning the doorbell rang, and my postman delivered a big parcel addressed to little sprout and me. Inside were gifts, beautifully wrapped, thoughtfully chosen, delivered to us from a stranger.

What they meant to me, I can hardly express. Over the past few months I've experienced tremendous loss and grief and anger. But equally - never before have I really understood the sentiment 'when one door closes, another one opens', and I do today. In the space left by my husband my life has started to fill up with friends. The love that has been shown to me and my family is truly overwhelming. I want to share with you how incredible it has been to experience that love.

We opened the big parcel together, over breakfast. Inside Little Sprout found a card telling him he is bound to be the best big brother ever (I couldn't agree more!) and a fantastic yellow truck (oh, the joy!). For me, there was a fabulous baby sling and a Mr Bump chocolate figurine to remind me that when life knocks me down, it's ok to keep getting up. I burst into tears there and then. Not sad tears, but happy ones! I felt cherished and looked after.

The most extraordinary thing of all was that the giver of these gifts has never met me, or my little boy. She sent them because she'd read about what we've been going through and wanted to show us we were loved. That life was still good. That happy things are just around the corner. There really aren't words to express the hope that was given along with the presents. This morning we unwrapped happiness.

What is even more extraordinary is that this is not the first gift we've been given through the kindness of strangers. I've also been gifted nursing bras, and maternity clothes. I've been sent cards wishing me happiness and joy and warmth. I've been emailed by people who have shared themselves with me, reaching out to let me know we are not alone and once this part of the journey is over we will realise we've taken the first step towards a better, happier life overall. All I can say is thank you so much to everyone who has shared a part of themselves with me, and my boys.


What I've been learning about the beauty and kindness of people throughout all of this has overruled so much of H's behaviour. For every shallow, unkind, selfish person out there, I believe there are ten more waiting to remind me that life is still beautiful. So let me remind you today, you are beautiful too!