Let's surprise someone this week....

Since the sun is finally shining and the temperature outside is just about perfect, I think I will keep this short.

If you’ve been here for a while, you know I love random acts of kindness (and surprises!). Years ago, I used to offer baked goods to anyone who wanted to make someone feel special for no real reason. In today’s crazy climate, where the news is often heavy and discouraging, I find myself craving kind people and small moments of goodness even more. So I just have to share this story.

You all know Boeden is obsessed with lawn care. We’ve really embraced his passion as a way to build his confidence and self-esteem. I will never forget one of our early meetings with his team of specialists when he was about five years old. They told us that if we could keep his self-esteem intact and help him avoid turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, we would be winning. That was a gut punch. But it also gave us a clear mission.

Now he has his little business, Boe’s Mows, but I’m not letting him take on paying customers just yet. He has to prove to me that he can start and finish a job, including cleaning up, without being reminded. This even applies to simple things like opening an Amazon package and remembering to throw the wrapper away. (We are very much a work in progress around here!)

In the meantime, he is allowed to help neighbors—just not accept payment.

When the big snowstorm hit, one of our neighbors was out of town. They reached out and asked if Boe could simply shake the snow off some of their laurel trees. Lance and Boeden walked down, shook the trees, and cleared their driveway. Honestly, it took no time at all. Boeden loved using his new snow blower, and I loved the opportunity for him to practice being kind and helpful.

A few weeks later, those same neighbors showed up at our door. They had heard my rule about not accepting money, so instead they brought him a very generous Home Depot gift card (which, in Boeden’s mind, is the equivalent of a pile of gold). But even better than the gift card, they wrote him the most amazing note.

And let me tell you, my heart nearly exploded. I love kind people. And kind people who take the time to build up one of my kids… well, that means everything.

It’s safe we could all use encouragement from time to time. We never really know what someone else is carrying. A small act of kindness can change the entire direction of someone’s day — sometimes even their life.

So this week, if there is someone you appreciate, someone who has helped you, or someone who just needs a reminder that they matter, I would love to help you surprise them.

Let’s keep building the kind of community we want to live in — one small, thoughtful gesture at a time.If someone comes to mind as you read this, that’s not an accident. Let’s surprise them together. I am good for the baked goods, just message me!

Below is this week’s menu. And my Liliana comes home mid-week, so if you get delivery, you just might see our OG delivery girl! I am so excited.

xo,

Heather