A Random Act of (Inherent) Kindness

Each day... no matter what is happening... miracles occur all around each of us. Some are large, some are so tiny they may last only a second - - but they are there - - you just have to be open to them, always watching, listening and feeling.

Today's miracle was easy to spot. It was the inherent kindness of my son.

The kids were playing outside - - Gracie was rocking on her rocking board while happily signing to herself and Preston was running around doing "boy" things... pointing at bugs, digging in the dirt, throwing everything he could get his hands on - - and I, well, I must admit that I was sitting nearby, taking a moment to bask in the February sunshine while having a quick chat on the phone with my mom.

That's when it happened.

Preston picked a "flower" behind the chair where I sat (it was actually a dandelion in our weeds lawn) and walked over to Gracie to give it to her. She (rather impolitely) declined - - normally, she does not turn down a flower, but she was really into her little rocking routine and didn't appreciate the interruption. He tried again, approaching Sophie (he only calls her "Dog") and she, too, declined his gesture. So sweet... so kind... so Preston.

Deflated and irritated by total rejection, he then threw down the flower and took a swat (and missed) the dog. And then, just like that, his random act of kindness was over and the (almost) two year-old boy returned with full force. So quick tempered... so busy... so Preston.