Do you think they put that arrow through the heart because love always hurts a little? A heart with an arrow through it seems pretty bruitful to me.
I was so excited to name today MINDY MONDAY, and SO annoyed when I realized, five minutes ago, that it is actually Tuesday. Whatever. Mindy Monday it still is.
Mindy is a young mama Monkee. She’s a pediatrician raising a two year old angel who is so beautiful it makes me wonder if God gave her some extra cuteness to help Mindy get through this excruciating time. You see, Mindy has stage three breast cancer, and is having a mastectomy today.
I’m never that IN to Valentine’s Day, I don’t totally get it . . . but I can wrap my arms around it today. Because this Valentine’s Day is MINDY DAY. Today, if you feel led, say a prayer for Mindy – and/ or DO a prayer for Mindy. Stay awake throughout your day and watch for an invitation to participate in a Random Act of Kindness. I called it a RAOK on facebook, but everyone thought I was asking them to send me pictures of their racks. Which is SORT of apropos for Mindy’s day – but not exactly.
Please dedicate your RAOK to Mindy, and then leave a comment about your experience.
Good stuff. Not a bad way to celebrate Love Day.
I sent this message to Mindy last night:
Dearest Mindy,
Hi G
Here’s a note to Mindy as a stage 3 melanoma veteran myself, 10 years [no evidence of disease], prayers and good vibes to you, keep the faith, you can be on-the Good side of the numbers..remember they are just numbers,, your a real individual person,each of us is different and respond differently.
Also here’s a COOL thing we did yesterday…Valentine day…. I hooked up with a “Awsome Collective Of Covington Ky. Group…they had the local high school students make some really,really nice V_Day Cards… we [the group] met up and went to local shops, bars,and business’s and passed out the cards to everyone…[everyone] we saw…any way i thought that was pretty cool,I like that it got back to the roots of st. Valentine …befoe the day was hijacked by the card companies and turned in to a couples gift giving thing… day…
I went to my son’s Vday party to help out, and participate. There were a couple kids who’s moms weren’t there (work and such) and some of them seemed to need some extra attention. So I tried to give them some. The biggest one was a little boy who didn’t seem to have quite enough valentines. He comes from what I can tell a hard home. No mom, very young dad who works a lot. So, he had the simplest valentines without suckers or anything like the other ones had. When he realized he didn’t have enough valentines, he looked very upset. I told him I’d go through the bags and make sure he didn’t accidentally put an extra in some. He did and we figured it out, and he felt totally better. I know his dad tries hard, but I feel badly he doesn’t have anyone to come to activities and such. I am glad I was able to help him with this one thing.
Dude, it’s Thursday.
In honor of Mindy Day I covered the cost of a little fellow named Yoandi who is a great kid in the Dominican Republic who could use a helping hand right now. I sent healing prayers and all sorts of good vibes to both Mindy and Yoandi who are both so very deserving of all good things. Thinking of you Mindy- be well soon! maggie
I’m sorry, I’m so behind on all of my blogs right now. I have 2 little boys, a preschooler and an infant….sometimes I’m a little busy, preoccupied, or just plain tired! This morning while baby brother was sleeping, and big brother was at preschool, I took a moment to catch up on Momastery, so I just saw this post about Mindy Monday.
While I may be a little late to the party, I celebrated Mindy Monday (which was in fact, Tuesday) on this Fantastic Friday. So my RAOK was I bought a small bag of groceries for the homeless man who was sitting out front of our grocery store. He was so kind spirited. He wasn’t panhandling, or asking anyone for money. It looked like he was just taking a rest before he moved on.
I was humbled by him. And by your fight Mindy. Keep on fighting, girl!
On Mindy Day, I did not do a RAOK. Someone did one for me, rather my father. One I cannot repay and I do not know who this person is. My father is an alcoholic and a drug addict. The kind that just cannot stay sober. He had a relapse earlier this week. Someone found him unconscious in a field (he lives in rural WI) and called the ambulance. This person stayed with my father until the ambulance came. My father has no memory of even being found in the field. We don’t know who saved my father. Thank God for them and their biggest ROAK.
Isn’t it amazing how much good giving gives back to the giver? Love it!
You are in my prayers too, Mindy.
Brought leftover lasagna to our school counselor for lunch today, since her lunch got accidentally thrown away by some kids yesterday. Hang in there, Mindy!
I am nearly moved to tears reading about all the amazing things this group of Monkees has done in honor of Mindy. I am deployed to Afghanistan, so not really able to do these kinds of RAOK’s but rest assured that when I get home in a few short weeks I will be on the lookout for some RAOK’s. For Mindy and for no good reason at all.
Prayers to Mindy and her family.
Being deployed and serving our country is a huge act of kindness… And we thank you.
I’m pretty sure that defending our freedom is the greatest RAOK that anyone can give. THANK YOU!!
While your deployment to Afghanistan may not be random, it is definately an act of kindness. Don’t sell yourself short!! Thank you for your service!
I am nearly moved to tears reading about all these RAOK’s for Mindy. I am in Afghanistan-deployed- and can’t really do the kind of things you other amazing women have done. Rest assured that when I do get home in a few short weeks I will be on the lookout for some RAOK’s to do….for Mindy and for no good reason at all.
Prayers for Mindy and her family in this difficult time.
As my RAOK, I printed, framed, and left outside the front door a picture that I had of a friends daughter. She LOVED that picture and I had forgotten about it <3
My amazing sister-in-law Tara just had a double mastectomy and had to have ANOTHER surgery last night due to complications. I think these women are amazing and I hope that we can send them all the positive energy they need!!! So now I will pray for Tara AND Mindy =)
Yesterday I took my two- and five year-olds out to a local chicken shack for a mama/babes Valentine’s Day lunch. We live in Oregon, so of course it was raining, but yesterday rained ever harder than usual. Sheets of rain drenched us as we ran in and out of the restaurant.
As we waited at the light to leave the parking lot we saw a rather clean-cut 20-something man playing guitar in the pouring rain. He had a sign asking for spare change taped to his guitar and as we waited, my 5 year old, Brody, was rapt. Brody rolled down his window to hear the music, and when the man saw him do this, he smiled broadly and played even louder. You know how sometimes you can just tell when somebody is a good person? Looking at this man, I could just tell.
As we pulled away, my son asked what the sign on the man’s guitar said. I told him that the man was asking for change because he was homeless. After a thoughtful moment, my son asked if we could go home and get some money out of his piggy bank to give the man. Gabriel, my two year-old, asked if we could bring the man some chicken.
So we went home to gather a few dollars’ worth of coins into a zip-lock bag, and we packaged up some lunch to share.
When we returned to the parking lot a few minutes later the man gratefully accepted the change. Then I told him that my little boy would like to give him some lunch too.
The man paused and held his hand to his heart. He said, “Please, thank your little boy for me, but I can’t.” I was suddenly afraid we had insulted him, so I stammered an, “Okay, yes, of course.” And then the man continued, “I, I really appreciate it, but the thing is, I have a wife. And I just can’t eat unless I know she has eaten too.”
Heart-breaking. And heart-breakingly loving. And on Valentine’s Day.
(I bought a grocery-store gift card to give the man next time I see him. He wasn’t there today, but I’m sure I will see him again)
My daughter and I pass the same guy in Berkeley every Tuesday evening, and last night she asked me why he was always sitting there.
“He’s down on his luck,” I told her, “And he’s probably found it’s a good place to ask people for money.”
And I thought about how I do not usually give money to people who ask, and it can be a bad idea, which I still believe.
But on our way back to the car, the man said, “Hey can you do me a favor?” And I stopped reluctantly and said, “What do you need?” and he said, “Can you take this balloon?”
It was a beautiful Valentine’s heart shaped balloon.
He didn’t want money for it. He wanted to give it to my 6-year-old.
He worked hard to extract it from his belongings, and handed it to me.
What? Was he celebrating MIN-DAY too?
So I asked him if he could use some cash. He said he could, but that he wasn’t trying to sell me the balloon, it was a gift.
“I know,” I told him as I handed him the money. “I just have been looking for something nice to do all day.”
“I LOVE YOU!” he yelled as we walked away.
I should have asked him to yell “I LOVE MINDY!” but I didn’t think about that until today.
Hey Erica,
I’m a Monkee in Oakland! Love your story
Hope to see you around!
Mindy – you’ve been in my thoughts and prayers. As a RAOK, I signed up for the marrow donor registry. My cheek swab kit is in the mail. I’ll be looking for other RAOKs too. Be well
I went into yesterday with no specific RAOK in mind. I knew it would simply present itself, and as my day was coming to an end it did. I was standing in line at the gas station waiting to pay and the woman in front of me was in tears. Her check card had been declined and she had no other way to pay. I told her, its ok, I’ll pay for your gas!! (A full tank, $64 worth). She practically started sobbing and thanked me. I simply told her Happy Valentines Day and to go home and relax. Felt so nice!!
I love this one! I have two college aged daughters who are far from home and share a very faithful but beat up old car. I can see them getting into this situation with their check cards — and if they ever did, I’d like to think someone might help them out.
Jeni, I love this!! May you receive many blessings in return. I am going to try to do the same thing the next time I see someone’s card declined—-buy their item for them………no matter how big or small it is!
Our little family couldn’t be out and about yesterday, but we did make cookies for our elderly neighbors and visited them. And we fed the birds.
My next true RAOK will be for Mindy!
My small RAoK: I brought a little bag of valentine treats to my coworkers yesterday. It was a hit! Mindy you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so glad I discovered this community!
Mindy,
I have to admit that I didn’t actually perform the RAOK yet, but it’s at the ready.
In short, there is a homeless man I pass by often on my way home from my son’s school. He never begs, just sits there and reads. I’ve often wondered what to give him since he never asks and, honestly is at such a busy intersection, there is no way to stop the car and walk over to drop something off.
Yesterday as I was driving by, he was just sitting there with his head in his hands, books at his side. I’m pretty sure God was nudging me in that moment…to give him a book of all things. I really can’t imagine why I’m called to give him a book, but maybe that’s what he really needs right now: something that feeds his soul. So, the book sits on the passenger seat of my car, along with a granola bar and a bottle of water just waiting until I see him again.
Thanks for inspiring me to take action.
For more to the story, if you’re curious, you can check my blog at:
http://befriendingfaith.blogspot.com/2012/02/love-in-hopeless-place.html
So glad things went well yesterday! I’ll continue praying for you!
Blessings, Holly
I know I am posting this a little late but I did not want Mindy to miss a single act of kindness done in her honor not on a Monday but on MINDAY! Neither of these was terribly grand but they put a smile on people’s faces and warmed my heart. What an awesome way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (which I love!) and Mindy (whom I am sure I would love!).
While my daughter was at preschool, I picked up chocolate covered strawberries to give to her teachers at pick-up. I also made brownie bites and delivered them along with a bottle of wine to my neighbor who is a single mom to two teenagers. They were all so thankful but honestly, it was the least I could do! My daughter’s teachers give their whole hearts to their students and my daughter simply adores preschool. My neighbor has been so welcoming the past year and has made a difficult transition a bit easier. I am so happy to have made their days a little brighter!
Continued prayers for Mindy!
My Random Act of Kindness for Mindy…
Dear Mindy,
I went to CVS yesterday to pick up a prescription and I was trying to think of what to do as my RAOK. While I was there I bought a $20 AMEX gift card and put it in a Valentine’s Day card. All I wrote in the card was the verse, “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) It is one of my favorite verses and the one I had engraved inside my husband’s wedding band. I think it sums up for me why we love others…and certainly why I would be giving a stranger a Valentine’s card with money inside! And why Mindy, I was doing this for you…because we should all LOVE one another!
OK, so while pushing my 8 months old in his Snap N’ Go across the parking lot, I decided I would look for the crappiest car I could find. I know this sounds bad, but living in a pretty affluent town, the beat up cars stand out among the BMWs, so I figured it would be an easier way to assume this would be someone who could use a few extra bucks. Anyway, as I decided I would put my baby in the car first and drive around, I notice the (excuse me) P.O.S. car next to me. Harsh, I know! But it had very tinted windows, a hood that was painted or not painted at all the color of the rest of the car, an Elmo doll hanging off the tailpipe, and the letters HONDA across the windshield. It was a car that was banged up and to be very honest, I wouldn’t want stopped next to me at a light. How perfect! Not only would I complete my RAOK, but I would learn to love someone that I know I would normally not be inclined to love.
I hope he or she found the pink envelope on their windshield with the card signed “From a Loving Stranger” and it brightened their day. I hope it brightens yours too Mindy!
Praying for you and your family as you fight the good fight!!! Keep the faith!!!
Love,
Brooke
“A Loving Stranger”
That’s so awesome! I did something similar and I know how hard that can be! I live in a small town & know a good number of the people hear. It was hard to see certain cars & not think, “No way…they’d just buy booze & cigs.” I was very deliberate in trying to be random & not letting my judginess butt in!! Love you, Brooke! You’re fabulous!
I actually read every single comment…and it was worth it…every last one. Heck, it beat any tv program you could ever imagine; to witness a constant surge of loving RAOK’s with NO commercial interruptions. So I am in the middle of many RAOK’s cause I am in the volunteering business…career, really. One in particular I dedicate to you, Mindy. A few weeks ago I met an old man who was standing outside of Vons with his 2 poodles. I made a quick comment in passing and it lead to a conversation. Long story, but he is now in the hospital recovering from a spinal fusion and I have his precious babies at my house for as long as it takes. His dogs have been taking care of him for a very long time and are making due the best they can in his absence. Prayers for Tony’s speedy recovery as well as yours, Mindy.
hi Mindy,
Hoping you are feeling all the love today and tonight!! Today I dropped off a box of tea to a friend with four kids, hoping she could take a little time for herself and enjoy it. It is a VERY small RAOK, but I am looking to declare it “Mindy WEEK”, so I will be on the lookout for more opportunities the rest of the week. Take care and rest up!!
I’m a cancer researcher, and Mindy has been on my mind. I had been looking for opportunities to perform a RAOK all day, but — as is so often the case — when you try to force a special moment, it doesn’t always present itself. Anyhoo, this afternoon, I took my son for a special Valentine’s treat at a local bakery…where he had a little mid-restaurant bathroom accident…which we ran to the restroom to take care of, to no avail (the damage had been done, so to speak)…and returned to find our table had been cleared, including our not-yet-eaten pastries and my much needed coffee…which the manager graciously replaced at no charge as a to-go order (because we needed to head home for some fresh pants)…so after all that, I was pulled over by a police officer for rolling through a stop sign in my neighborhood. I’m old enough now that these kinds of things don’t bother me too much, so I was polite to him, and he was professional to me. He didn’t ask any questions; I didn’t offer any explanations. He checked my license, and he let me off with a warning. I was prepared for a ticket — I deserved it, quite frankly — and as he walked away, I asked without really thinking about it, “Can I say one more thing?” He turned around. And I sincerely thanked him for being in our neighborhood, for keeping an eye on our kids, for making our road a little safer, even if it meant I got pulled over in the process. He told me that one of my neighbors (and he pointed to the guy’s house) made a point of insulting him every time he saw the police officer in the neighborhood. I was dumbfounded, and I apologized to him for the treatment he had received. And then he walked away…and I realized I had chosen love in that moment. So, thank you, Mindy, for giving me a reason to open up my arms to the world today.
I am still having trouble recovering from your coffee and pastries getting taken away! I feel a little panicky and weepy at the thought. But that’s great that you thanked and encouraged the policeman. Good for you!
Lol! I know, I gasped at that part too! Noooooo, who takes away a woman’s coffee and pastry when she’s had to run her child to the bathroom? I can so relate to that right now as we make many emergency trips to public bathrooms all the time:)
I think that your RAOK encompasses everything that RAOK stands for & is meant to be. Even when you were having a trying day (at best!), you took a minute to thank someone who has one of the most thankless careers ever! You are just lovely, Sadie! I hope the rest of your day perked up!
Thank you, ladies, so much for your kind words. I realized this morning that yesterday wasn’t a single RAOK, it was a three-fer. The manager replacing our items, the police officer letting me go with a warning, and my appreciation of the officer’s work made for a beautiful day.
Kind words sometimes seem silly but mean so much! I am the wife of a police officer and know what a thankless job it can be (someone always thinks they should have done it differently), so I can only imagine how much that meant to him:)
Mindy, you’ve been on my mind all day. I hope everything went as well as possible! My RAOK was to send a valentine to my dear friend who just had to file for divorce yesterday. I sent her something yesterday, too, and will keep checking in. Kick butt on this healing journey!
Okay, this may be long, stay with me… on our way to dinner tonight, I was lamenting to my husband that I’d gotten so busy today I’d missed my window for my RAoK. I explained the purpose behind the day (and apparently I’ve mentioned Momastery enough times that he’s starting to think that my “new hobby is sitting around reading blogs.” Hah…) At dinner, we chatted with our friendly waitress and asked if she’d seen any good movies lately, as we were thinking of trying to catch one afterwards but couldn’t decide on one. She laughed and said, “No, I live here! I work pretty much every day – I wish I *could* see a movie…” At the end of dinner, hubs started filling out the credit card slip, and I waited for him to ask me what to tip, like he always does. Instead, I watched him write in $100.00 on the tip line, and then next to it, “go see a movie!!”
Tonight, he is my hero, and my RAoK proxy.
Love and prayers for strength and healing from our family to you and yours, Mindy!!
Love this!!!!
That just made me cry! Love that your husband really listened to both you and the waitress and was so kind. What a great moment.
What a catch he is!! This would make my heart burst if I ever saw my husband do this!! In fact, maybe I will do it!
Oh, so wonderful.
Mindy,
You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers! I am a 39-year-old mother of three who was diagnosed with breast cancer last May. I had a bilateral mastectomy on June 29th and went on to have 4 months of chemotherapy and 33 radiation treatments. Tomorrow I’m having a hysterectomy, because I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation which makes it more likely for me to develop ovarian cancer as well. Obviously, it has been a busy year, but my last PET/CT scan showed everything to be all clear! Just hang in there! Let everyone love on you and take care of you at this time! Then you can pay it forward with your own RAOKs later on. I know that I have been the recipient of more RAOKs than I can possibly count over the past few months. Know that you are loved! You are now part of a sisterhood that no one ever wants to join, but will give you the opportunity to become friends with some amazing, incredible women that you would never have known otherwise.
Love,
Sarah
Praying for you tonight and tomorrow, Sarah. May everything go as smoothly as possible tomorrow and your recovery go great and without any complications as well. I am a 37 yo mother of 3 children (sons). Thank you for sharing your story, however briefly, here. You are a hero. God bless you.
Praying for you Sarah! Sister on Momma
Sarah, you and Mindy are in my prayers today!!
I didn’t read this post until just now, but I did a very tiny random act of kindness today. My coworker’s aunt’s house burned down yesterday. The husband, the wife (aunt), and the nephew (i think he’s a teenager) now have nothing. My husband and I don’t have much, but we cleaned out our closet, and I left the clothes at my coworkers desk, anonymously. It’s a tiny act, that won’t go far, but I know if I had nothing, even that tiny act would help!
Anyway, hope Mindy is feeling encouraged, and her daughter has peace during this troubling and confusing time.
Mindy
You are held and loved by all the mothers on th earth. Tonight in your honor I invited 2 boys over to stay the night with my kids. They have never done a sleepover and are a little scared to be away from home but wanting the experience of this part of life I told them i wil lsit with them until they fall asleep and sta yall night if they need it. Don
Forget you have the same mother love watching over you even while alseep.
Love love love to you
Will include Mindy in my prayers. I unfortunately performed an anti-RAOK today; lost my temper at the receptionist desk at the pediatrician’s office. Now I’m reading about this — and will try to make time tomorrow to bring a (discounted) box of chocolate to the doctor’s office. Would like to find a Glennon-like being who addresses post-menopausal issues — it’s fun to read about young Mom’s with young children on this blog, but the chapter that follows (the fierceness and even rage that menopause brings) is ah well interesting ….
We all lose our temper, Mary! Tomorrow will be a better day. Maybe you should start a blog? I’ll read it, I promise!
I’m with MK! I would totally read about that chapter in a woman’s life. Yet another area where very little is said, but such internal drama occurs.
Thinking of you Mary!
My RAOK – I let the elderly gentleman waiting in the very long grocery line go ahead of me with his dozen roses. I just recently started reading your blog…and it is amazing. Thank you for your honesty. I’ve been praying for Mindy today and will continue to pray for the best.
So glad I was able to do something in honor of Mindy today. Ran out to the grocery store during my lunch break and after shopping I put away a cart for a man who parked in a handicap spot. He was so grateful; it made my heart happy. (On another note, why are there no racks for shopping carts next to the handicap spaces???)
We are praying for Mindy!
For our ROAK we made some chocolate covered strawberries for our neighbor who lives alone and my 11 yr old son took them over and wished her a happy valentines day. He was gone longer than I expected and I almost went to check on him but right about then he came back and told me what a nice lady she is and how they had such a nice talk. I’m so glad for Mindy Monday, I wouldn’t have thought of including her in Valentines day and I’m quite sure she liked getting a Valentine!
Whoops- didn’t realize my earlier comment had gone through, but now I actually followed through rather than just thinking about it…which, without this post I probably would have done again. I always have the best of intentions but rarely follow though…Thank you Mindy, the ROAK for you ended up blessing all of us!
I have been thinking of Mindy all day…I am sending as many prayers as I can her way. Kick some cancer ass, my friend!!
As for the RAOK we sorted some clothes and toys to take to the women’s shelter this week. I’m going to see if we can do something everyday this week…I love all the ideas being shared…so much inspiration!!
Thank you Glennon for inspiring me to be a better person.
We lost a neighbor last week so on this Mindy Monday I organized a group of neighbor ladies to deliver dinner to our fellow mama each night for the next week as she tries to navigate through grief with her two sons. If you were my neighbor, Mindy, we would rally around you with food, too. But for today we will rally from afar with prayers.
I’m sure that will help your neighbor and her family to have a good meal at a time when they don’t feel much like eating. I lost my husband a year ago, and I can tell you if you remember them in 3 months, 6 months, whenever it will even mean more. Invite them over for dinner–doesn’t matter what it is…hot dogs, soup and sandwiches, whatever. It just gets lonely and it means so much to be able to share a dinner with others. It’s a RAOK that will mean so much.
Mindy~
You have the prayers of The Monkee Brigade lifting you up today. The best way to send love is to create more love…which is why we search for RAOK. I work with kindergarteners, so cleaning up bloody noses from soccer, putting ice packs on bumped heads, tying shoes, and praising work are daily occurrences. Today, I focused on the Mommies in your honor. Reassuring them that their children are talented, well behaved, and..most importantly…loved.
Just like you!
Wooo Hooo Mindy – Taking your first steps down the road of beating Cancer…won’t be an easy road, but you’re on your way, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! It’s a worn path that many have traveled road before you (including my Mom – twice!)… you may still find plenty of rocks to trip over… YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Some will walk beside you, some will carry you, some will cheer from afar. I cheer from afar with my prayers for you, your family and your medical team. May God bless you richly and sustain you mightily.
In your honor, as a RAOK today my girls and I delivered a valentine surprise to a recently widowed friend and her two small children. It brought us great joy!
My raok was to make cookies for the ladies in a local winter shelter. Praying for healing for Mindy.
I was feeling grumpy today and feeling even grumpier with my over-sugared kids. It seemed like I kept missing RAOK opportunities– I meant to take cookies to my son’s teacher, but didn’t get it together; thought of taking coffee to the woman collecting signatures outside of Target (who was super un-pushy about it)– but I thought of it after I had left.
Ready to give up, I realized we had extra cookies from a batch I made for the pre-school party and packed them up for my neighbor who is celebrating her first Valentine’s Day since her husband died. She mentioned that she was having a hard day and that her kids (young adults) just didn’t get it. I feel like my inability to get it together earlier was happening so I could do this for Mindy and for my neighbor.
Bought a little box of chocolates, put a post it on it talking about Mindy, and why I was doing at RAOK and gave it to cashier at bagel shop.
Thinking about you all day, Mindy!
My RAOK today was preparing dinner for my neighbors who are financially in a very tight situation due to disability and loss of job. Love and prayers were sent with the meal and off to Mindy.
Tried really hard to come up with a random act today. Finally decided to just lump it in with my job as a home health physical therapist. Visited a very sweet man today who just lost his wife last week. Instead of breezing through the assessment like I sometimes do – I took extra time to ask him about his wife, his family, and shared with him that I had lost my dad a few months earlier and could sympathize with his feelings. I tried to show sympathy and compassion as best I could. I think I got him to smile a few times – so I consider my attempts to be successful!
My RAOK on Mindy Day was to head out in my car this afternoon, after my toddler’s nap, to leave boxes of Valentine’s cupcakes on the doorsteps of two people – one whose baby had a choking incident today requiring an ambulance call-out, and another who’s had a tough week with a sick toddler and her father-in-law taken into hospital for a quadruple bypass (impacting the whole family, as you can imagine). I figured they could both use a little extra surprise sweetness in their days.
Mindy, you’ve been in my thoughts and prayers today, and shall remain there. So glad to be able to be part of our wonderful chain of support, carrying those who need little extra strength.
Mindy,
I thought about you and prayed for you all day. I found myself looking for someone to do a Random Act today, Im afraid Im a little rusty at thinking about others. But that is the beauty of this community, it challenges us to do better, to LOVE better. So today I pushed myself outside my comfort zone, and talked to a stranger while waiting in line to return a purchase (we really couldnt afford the new sewing machine I purchased so I returned it- an act of kindness to my husband). I asked her to take my place in line. I know its not much, but Im getting better every day. A little more about the community, and a little less about myself. I love the idea of living prayers. We love you Mindy, take care
Hi Jamie – You sound like a very good and kind person.
Today, I wanted to make a very deliberate RAOK in Mindy’s honor, but I was having brain block. I literally DREAMED about it last night! lol Then, in the shower (that’s where my best thinking happens!), it hit me!! We live in a small little town, & my friend Kris lives in another about 14 miles away. (Kris is SUCH a Monkee…she just doesn’t know it!) She was coming over to have lunch with me today, so I had her stop at the local grocery store & get some $10 gift cards to the store. I also went to the local grocery here & did the same. Then, I made Valentines letters that said something to the effect of, “Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope that you’ll take this small gift & do something special with your loved ones! It might be just getting some junk food for movie night, or baking cookies together. Whatever you choose, just enjoy each other! P.S. There is no “catch.” We just wanted to give you a smile today. Why? We all need to take care of each other, because….LOVE WINS.” Then we put the Valentines & gift cards & put them in envelopes. We drove around my town & stuck them on random windshields! (Well, 2 of them weren’t random. 1 was a lady who was very nice to me this morning in our local gift shop & the other was the owner of the flower shop. Kris said this morning that that lady was SWAMPED & had to deal with a very rude customer!) Then, when Kris got back to her town, she did the same! We got such a kick out of being sneaky-nice! She kept saying, “We really need to do this more often!!” See? She’s a Monkee for sure!
Mindy, this one was for you! AND it was done with hearts full of love & prayers! I hope that today was a success & that you are comfortably healing. We love you, Sister!!
April, this is seriously awesome. What a GREAT RAOK!!
Thanks, Rebekah! It was SUCH an amazing day!! I’m not sure that I can even call it a RAOK when I got so much out of it!
Love this one! Especially the accompanying note and that you did it with a friend.
Friends of mine are spending this Valentines Day in the hospital with their baby girl who has been sick with a virus for a little over a week. They were planning to dine together in the cafeteria, but in honor of Mindy, I’m having a special dinner delivered to them. No hospital food for Mindy Monday! (Tuesday…)
Praying for you today Mindy.
We were in the ICU for 4 months with our son- I can attest to how totally awesome this idea is!
Happy Mindy Day!! We are down at the beach visiting my parents, so the kiddies and I delivered balloons and cupcakes to my mom’s friend, whose just lost his battle with cancer, and my aunt, who’s living with stage 4 breast cancer.
Go, Mindy. Kick some cancer ass!!!
Prayers~ check
RAOK~ check
I dropped off 8 bags of gently used “stuff” @ the local women’s shelter. I will keep Ms. Mindy in my prayers….
In Mindy’s honor today, I left money with the barista at Starbucks for the next costomer’s coffee. Said a prayer for Mindy as I left and hope all went well today. Prayers.
I decided to go to the grocery store with my two-year-old daughter and four-month-old son today. I normally would never do this, but wanted to cook a nice meal for my neighbor as my RAOK. Now, I am new to the area (my hubby is in the Army and they just moved us to the Fairfax, VA, area), so I don’t know the area, haven’t made any friends, yet, and certainly don’t know my way around the grocery store. As I poured up and down the aisles searching for ingredients, my son began to cry. I couldn’t calm him, so I tried to rush to get out of there, but couldn’t find four things I needed for the recipe. As my son’s cry began to turn into a scream, my daughter began crying. After about three minutes with both of them screaming, unable to find four ingredients and not a single employee to be found, I finally ducked down an aisle and started to cry myself. There I was standing next to rows and rows of canned soup sobbing with my kids. I finally pulled it together, found what I could and got the heck out of the grocery store. I left there feeling like I really needed a RAOK. A simple pat on the shoulder, a hug, or a kind and understanding glance, rather than the dirty/annoyed looks I was getting from the other shoppers. Sometimes it really is hard being the new person in town…
Oh, and please don’t think I’ve lost sight of you, Mindy. You are in my thoughts and my prayers!! We love you, Monkee sister!!!
Hey sweet sister! I just read your comment and want to send a huge hug your way! I am a Navy wife with a 10 month old daughter. My husband and I graduated in May 2010, he was commissioned in May as well, we moved to San Diego in June, got married in October, had our first child in April 2011…the very day his ship was to be deployed (thankfully he got to stay for 6 days with us), and then he was gone for 7 months. In addition, my parents are not supportive at all and are more verbally abusive than helpful. Anyway, I have had many a day I just wanted to break down and cry too. I don’t have any great words of wisdom but I did want to send my heartfelt encouragement that you aren’t alone. There are other women like you all around the world and there is an all-powerful God wherever you go! I was reminded of God’s supremacy over creation today looking up into the vastness of the sky, and yet he cares for each one of us. So stop for a moment…despite the cries and stress and business of a mother’s life and be encouraged. You may be new in town, but in God’s town there are tons who love you!!!
P.S. Good for you for reaching out to your neighbors! I know it can be daunting but I hope it goes well for you!!
Oh Sarah,
Your story sounds so much like mine. A quick marriage and cross-country move right before a deployment. Then a deployment a week after we found out I was pregnant with our daughter. We had my hubby on Skype in the delivery room. He’s the kind of guy who tells jokes when he’s nervous, so there I am in the middle of a very difficult delivery and my husband is telling my OBGYN jokes over Skype. It was hilarious!! I laugh just thinking about it… I’m sure you can relate.
Seriously, though, thank you for reminding me that I am never alone. I have God’s love always at my side and I have my Monkee sisters. What more could a girl need…
Thank you!!!
Jenn, I’m a veteran and veteran military wife in the Fairfax area. If you need a hand with anything email me at southlakesmom at yahoo dot com. I’ve lived here most my life when we’ve been in the us, so I know where stuff is and how to get stuff done. Kelley
Hey Jenn, I think maybe you’ve earned a RAOK for YOURSELF today. I know this is supposed to be for someone else, but sometimes the best thing we can do is take care of ourselves so that we can pass the love on to those around us.
Jenn, Oh sweet, dear Monkee! I am sorry for your hard day! Sending you a monkee hug! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your family’s sacrifice! I am so so grateful! I wish with all my heart that you lived here in my town! I would bring you dinner! So sorry again for your day and hope that your day gets better!
It really is hard being the new person in town. You’ll find someone soon, I’m sure — or she will find you. I still owe a debt of gratitude to a women (actually someone who, herself, had a double mastectomy) who befriended me in that situation …. life is funny.
Hi Jenn,
I’m a new Monkee and I’ve never posted before, but your crummy, crummy day really touched me and I hope maybe I have information that can help you make some friends in town. When I became a mom I joined our MOMS Club here in town and it has been a great way to meet other moms and to feel supported. It’s an international organization, so they probably have a chapter near you. I don’t know where you are in Fairfax, but this is the link to the Springfield chapter. http://springfieldmomsclub.webs.com/
Please don’t think about those annoyed looks. I wish I had been there to give you an understanding smile, or a hand. We live in Florida. Last year when I was pregnant with my second, I took my 2 y/o to Disney for once last time, just the two of us, before the baby came. I got so sick I was throwing up in a trash can at the entrance to Small World. Not a single person stopped to ask if I was ok. I really just needed someone to make sure my 2 y/o didn’t run off. Finally I just asked the next group of people walking into the ride to please call an employee over for me. Then lots of people offered to help!
I think sometimes people just think we want our privacy. It was a good reminder to me to make sure that if I see someone sobbing or sick, that I stop to ask if they need something. We belong to each other
Janet,
THANK YOU!! I will definitely look into the Moms club!
Janet, I’m trying to organize a gat together of Monkees in the greater D.C. area. If you see this and are interested, please e-mail me at jennw3@gmail.com.
Sarah, Rebekah, Hillary, Mary and Janet,
Thank you SO much for your kind and understanding words! Reading your words put a smile on my face and in my heart. I hope you know how much I appreciate that you took the time to respond to me and to offer the very support and understanding I needed today. You are amazing, wonderful women!!!
I love you, my Monkee sisters!!!
Hey Jenn – Your story yesterday touched my heart! I’ve been in that position where the kids are crying and the people around you just seem annoyed. I am relatively new at my church, and always feel terrible if my kids interrupt services. The women there are so warm and complete stranges have walked up to me to tell me that I am a wonderful mother and that my children are blessings to the church. (Um… WHAT? NEVER have I experienced that kind of love. maybe they are monkees and don’t even know it yet.)
I think EVERY Mom deserves this kind of love and support! So Jenn, YOU are a wonderful mother and your children are blessings to this planet.
Also, as an official welcome to the greater D.C. area, there is a gift certifcate waiting in your name at a wonderful new salon in Fairfax. I know the owner and she is a wonderful Momma herself! the salon’s website is: http://firstimpressionsalon.net/ or you can call them at 703 934 1444. The gift certifcate is enough for a haircut with the owner, Rocio and a tip (and maybe some yummy shampoo?). You will leave there feeling as beautiful on the outside as I KNOW you are on the inside.
Sister on, Monkee and God bless
Love,
Jennifer (email me at jennyb612 (at) hotmail if you have any trouble with the appointment!)
Jennifer,
I just happened to come back to this post to read about the many Monkee RAOK’s going on. That’s when I saw your message. Oh my goodness, I just don’t know what to say!! I am flooded with emotion and in tears over your thoughtfulness and generosity! I need Glennon to help me thank you b/c she writes things far more beautiful and eloquent than I ever could. A thousand thank-you’s would never begin to cover how touched I am by the beautiful and wonderful person you are!! Do you live in D.C.? I want to meet you!!! I’m going to e-mail you! Much love Monkee-sister!
Hey Jenn!! So glad to hear from you! I do live in the area and would love to get together with some monkees. Keep me posted.
And GO enjoy the haircut – glad to be part of your support team.
Jennifer, this is one of the SWEETEST gifts I have read on this blog—maybe because I just moved to a new city. What a perfect RAOK for Jenn!! You are truly one of God’s angels. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Jenn, I am a fellow Northern Virginia Monkee and I wish I had been in that grocery store with you! I would have given you a hug and some chocolate because we all know it has healing powers. Good on you for being able to let your feelings out AND get the necessary ingredients. Hang in there!
Eliza, I’m trying to arrange a Monkee get together for those of us in the greater D.C. area. If you see this and are interested, please e-mail me at jennw3@gmail.com
Oh Jen,
It’s so hard being new in town. I think it’s fabulous that you wanted to make a meal for your neighbor! That is such a kind thing to do!
I second the moms group idea. I certainly would have gone crazy without the support of my moms group with the littles at home. Wish I was in VA and could recommend one for you!
I am a new monkee, and PROUD to be one! I have never been a big believer in Valentine’s Day, but today’s activities for Mindy have been fun. Since her daughter has two lovely cheeks to kiss, I decided to surprise a stranger and neighbor. I stopped at Starbucks (b/c I knew it would provide a stranger to surprise) and pre-paid for the person behind me, all while staring up at the menu board. The gentleman was perplexed, and the cashier was excellent at not giving away the secret. My other deed for Mindy was to provide dinner for my neighbor who recently had hand surgery. I made my kids deliver it, so they would start to understand the importance of RAOK.
I hesitated on posting, b/c I didn’t want to sound or be boastful, but decided to share for Mindy and her daughter. And all of us. And all the future monkees, and their deeds. And I vow to try to perform ROAKs as much as I can. Thank you for the opportunity, coordination and guidance. And to Mindy and her daughter and family, I have been whispering prayers throughout the day for you, and will continue to do so.