Weaving a Ribbon

Giving is an amazing thing! One small act of kindness leads to another and to another and to another...until a never-ending ribbon of love and compassion has been weaved. At the houses, we're lucky because we're consistently tangled in ribbons. We love being a part of something so powerful that it leaves us breathless

Two weeks ago, we had some miniature pumpkins donated. Their arrival was really quite a blessing since we had just talked about finding some for our families to decorate. We were excited to give them a taste of the fall season even if they couldn't be at home. We had markers ready to use and a place on the fireplace mantle ready to display their works of art.

A few days later, during a shopping trip, our executive director bumped into another charity director and long time supporter of our mission. She told our director that she was planning a Halloween party for the girls her charity helps and was on her way to find pumpkins for decoration. Our director told her that we had several pumpkins that she could have for the party. We had a large supply and plenty for the children in the house even if we gave away a basketful.

Last week, our supporter came back to the house – this time to repay our kindness. She brought with her an entire cart filled with handmade baby and child blankets! They were beautiful, and we were stunned. Our ribbon was long and weaved throughout a spectacular chain of events—from the donated pumpkins to the girls' delight to our own amazement to our families' gratitude.

And even though we don't know how the kindness continues when a family leaves the charity, we are confident it does. We also like to believe that with each blanket an inch (or two) is added to that ribbon entangling us all. There's a comfort in knowing that random kindness does exist and that giving really is contagious. We are thankful and grateful that we could be a part of weaving it into something beautiful!