As most of you know by now, I lost one of my very best friends to Ovarian cancer back in September of 2011. Her name was Brittany, and she was one of the most incredible women I had ever known. She worked in the city schools, where she stuck out like a sore thumb with her bright red hair and pale skin. But she stuck out in other ways too.. like her love for her students that shined through everything she did at that school. Her heart was always to be kind and take care of anyone she could along the way. She was also strong and fierce and at times she was a force to be reckoned with. She was passionate about everything she did from playing soccer, to being the best mommy she could possibly be. She never gave up easily and always fought til the end.. Even in her last days here on earth. I know in my heart the hardest thing for her to do was leave her sweet baby Boy (2 years old at the time) and her beautiful baby girl (7 months old)… She fought with every ounce of her being to stay here as long as possible with them. So this year, on her birthday May 16th, I wanted to give her two sweet children a gift. Now if you knew Brit, you would know how much she LOVED birthdays. In fact she believed birthdays should be celebrated for the entire month!!! As soon as it hit May, her excuse for everything (a new pair of shoes maybe?! Or a reason to go out to dinner) she would say…. “But its my birthday….Month” and you couldn’t fight her on it!! She was persistent and stubborn, and boy did she know how to get her way!!
So in true Brittany fashion, I want to help celebrate her birthday, and honor her in a way that will show her kids who their Momma really was. My gift? Well that’s where you come in. I want to dedicate May 16th, to Brittany and her kids, and declare it “Random act of kindness day, For B.” What I was thinking was each one of us could do something nice for someone, totally random, and then we could list what our act of kindness was under the hashtag #thisonesforyouB. You can message me your act of kindness, you can email me, text me if you have my number, write it below in the comments section, write it in the comments section on facebook… anything you want! Just hashtag it and let me know some how, because I then want to write down each thing each of us did in their Momma’s honor. I want them to know that people still love and care for her deeply and that this was the kind of person she was. She made people want to be better. She was kind, sweet and generous. Let’s all be that on May 16th, for her. Let us get out of our comfort zones, stretch ourselves in a way we may not be used to, let us take that extra time to think of someone else, and let us show love to a stranger. I think we could do some pretty amazing things here, and I want to do it in her honor. Who’s going to join me? Who wants to show her babies what their momma would do if she were still here?
Maybe you’re saying but I have no idea who Brittany or her kids are?? Then do it for a loved one you have lost. On May 16th, do a random act of kindness in their honor. Let their spirit live on, through you. Do something that you know would be special to them. Maybe you’re not sure what random acts of kindness even means… Here are a few examples:
*Pay for someones coffee in the dunkin drive through line today
*Hand out your favorite book to someone random on the streets
*Bring homeless people food today on your lunch break
*Help a child in need
*Leave something on someones front porch who may be having a hard day and could use a smile
*Pay for someones groceries
*Leave a gift card on someones windshield
*Leave a bible verse on someones desk
*Open the door for more than one person
*Don’t charge someone for a job
*Send flowers to someone just because
The list goes on and on and the possibilities are endless!!
I am so excited to see what people do and how they carrying on Brits love of birthdays!!
Thank you for your help in this!!! I can’t wait to see her kids faces when we read them all of the ways people helped others in their mommy’s honor!! (And Ill post a few reminders throughout the rest of the week! I just wanted to give everyone a few days to think about what they wanted to do for their random act of kindness!)
*Are you new to Mommy’s Front porch View and not sure who I am referring to above? Check out these past posts to get a better understanding:
We Made it
What The Death of a Friend Taught Me
When Your Lat Words Were Not Enough
What a beautiful idea Nicole. My Mom also died in December 2011 of ovarian cancer. A very wicked disease that took two very special people away from their families. I promise to do a random act in both memory of your friend but in memory of my Mom as well.
Awesome Lynn!!! Thank you so much!!! I am so sorry for your loss of your mom. Devastating disease for sure. I will do an extra act of kindness for your mom too. ❤️ So important to keep their memory alive.
What a beautiful way to honor such an amazing person. We are so lucky to have had her in our lives. I am starting my list 🙂 xoxo
Awesome!! So happy to have you part of this!!! xoxo
This is beautiful. I’m sure her mom and dad will be so thankful for such a loving idea.
TC
Thank you Diane!! Her mom is very excited about hearing everyone’s stories!! I hope you’ll join us on May 16th!!! I would love to add G’s teachers to the list of people keeping his mommy’s memory alive!!! 🙂
Beautiful way of keeping Britt’s memory alive. Loved seeing her pic too. She is with the cloud of witnesses cheering us on. I’m sure this will cause much celebration in heaven.
Amen!! Thank you, I sure hope so <3
What a great tribute to a wonderful women! Will make a list and pray for her family
Awesome!! Thank you Pat! Cant wait to hear all the great stories!!! Thank you for participating!!
Nicole,
What a beautiful way to remember your friend Brittany. I too had a very close friend who passed away from the same disease many years ago.
In memory of Brittany, I will do a random act of kindness.
Thanks for doing this Nicole! I’m sure Brittany is smiling down on you, her friends, family & her children!
I am very sorry for your loss, its such a devastating event in life to have to experience. But I am so thankful for everyone willing to help me with the project for her kids and family. I know they will really enjoy hearing everyone’s stories!! Thank you for joining!!!
Love this! I’m in
This is a great idea, Nicole! I want to dedicate #thisonesforyouB, with a trip I made this evening to support a mother in court (who was wrongfully accused of a crime that she didn’t commit!) She was very grateful that I came, and I count it a priviledge to be able to be there for her! She has been devastated by what a couple of vindictive neighbors with a vendetta against her have done! She also has a special needs daughter that is heartbroken! I can’t give details of the case, as it is an ongoing investigation, but I know that Brittany taught special needs children, and she would do the same.
Wow!!! Thank you so much Lora! Thank you for being so generous with helping that mom in need and thank you for doing this in Brits honor!!!! You’re amazing!!!
I’m in. I’ve shared it on my personal page on FB. I’ll make a collection on my page and send it to you. I hope you get overwhelmed with shares! I mean that in a good way! 🙂
Paid for the persons coffee behind me this morning. #thisoneisforyouB
Valerie (my cousin) and Bill must be thrilled you are doing this to honor Brittany. What a beautiful living tribute to her beautiful spirit. Thank you for spreading love and light.
Hi Amy! We were beyond thrilled and completely amazed at people’s generosity. They already are saying they can’t wait for next year. Thanks for following Nicole’s blog.