It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week! What better time to do something nice for someone? Your random acts don’t have to cost money. Smile at a stranger, open a door for an older person, bake cookies for a neighbor or friend who’s having a rough time. Create a ripple effect. One moment of your time could do more good than you’ll ever know.
In my novels No Justice and Beyond Salvation, Michael Sykora is a hit man with a heart. He only kills the bad guys, and he does all he can to help those in need.
In this scene from Beyond Salvation, Michael is looking for a lost teenage girl. They are in a park and a homeless man named Charlie has just given him helpful information:
“It’s going to storm,” Michael said. “Do you want us to take you to a shelter? Or I’d gladly set you up in a motel room for the night.”
“No sir. Thank you just the same. I’ve got my place here.” Charlie motioned toward the bathrooms. “I’ve got shelter if I need it. I’ll be fine.”
Michael handed Charlie ten twenty-dollar bills, along with his business card. “Thanks for your help. Call me if you remember any other details. Or if you see that SUV around.”
Charlie glanced down at the money that he now held tenuously in his hand. He quickly looked back at Michael, his face frozen in astonishment. “You don’t need to be giving me all this,” he said.
“And you didn’t need to help us out,” Michael said. “We all do what we can for each other.”
Most of us don’t have a hundred dollars to hand out, but we’re all capable of small kindnesses. A hot cup of coffee or a cold bottle of water can mean a lot to someone living on the streets. Often, even a smile and a greeting can give hope to a person who spends most of his/her day being ignored by the rest of us.
In this scene, Michael’s best friend since childhood is getting married and they’re at the engagement party. Michael’s father John wanted to give Isaac something special. He doesn’t have a lot of money or a lot of time. He’s dying. His choice of gifts is personal and, for Isaac, profound:
Ten minutes later, Isaac and Nadine were seated in the middle of the room, surrounded by gifts. Isaac was the one to rip open the gift from Michael’s father. He stared into the box, not touching the glove. Finally Nadine pulled it from the box and her face actually did light up. She examined the signature and gave a little shriek. “I can’t believe it! This is signed by Carlton Fisk!” She nudged Isaac. “Did you see this signature?”
Isaac’s eyes glistened. “I know,” he said. “I’ve always loved this glove.”
Beside Michael, John Sykora stood a little taller. “I told you they’d love it,” Michael said to him.
“Thank you, John,” Isaac said. “I’d say that you don’t know what this means to me. But you do.” His voice cracked and he looked away.
We often hold on to our possessions as if we can take them with us into whatever awaits us after death. If you have something that means a lot to you, and you know it will mean as much, if not more, to someone you love, why wait for family and friends to divide things after your death? Isn’t it better to see their faces, to share while you’re alive? I’m not suggesting you rid yourself of all your possessions. But maybe you can find a way, while you’re alive, to share a profound moment with the special people in your life.
Be sure to check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s webpage. Learn how you can get involved, and see how others are celebrating the week!
www.randomactsofkindness.org/RAK-Week
Tags: beyond salvation, Good Deeds, Kindness Week, Michael Sykora novels, no justice, Random Acts of Kindness, Random Acts of Kindness Week
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