Not So Random Acts Of Kindness

Dear Friends,

Donna and I are in between speeches today at the University of Redlands and California State University, San Bernardino. Many parents today extended amazing acts of kindness to me after I spoke to them in the Chapel.

One man handed me a note that read, "God will work with you on your cancer-either work through it or remove it all together-all depending on your faith." Another dear man said, "I've just been diagnosed." An African American Baptist Minister and his wife told me not only would they be praying for me, but I would be on their prayer list at Church. A Mom said, "I work at a Jesuit school and we will all be praying for you and thinking good thoughts." I met another Mother who went to school with me at the University of The Pacific and was there for her daughter's orientation. We had a brief but meaningful catch-up. A woman who identified herself as a healer told me that she had felt such strong movements of healing for me spiritually and great love that she needed to tell me to keep believing and then hugged me to pass on the healing.

As the last well wishers left the Chapel, a woman approached me and said, "This is the fifth child I have dropped off for college. I have grandchildren in college. I wasn't going to come today but I read that the Chapel was air conditioned. So I came for the comfort. I am so glad I came and heard you." She then took off a small medallion she was wearing and said, "Mother Theresa gave this to me for my work with the Sisters of Charity and the children. I want you to have it." I said, "You should keep that. It is so meaningful." She said, "No. I want you to have it. I hope it doesn't offend you." I could barely keep from crying. I thanked her with all my heart and she took my hand, then left.

Could we ever find a way to be this kind, compassionate, and loving with each other without a dis-ease or a crisis? The love of those parents and the hundreds of others who came up lifted me up and gave me strength and courage to hope, to trust, and to love them back. You would do me a real solid today if you told somebody that you loved them. It would likely come right back at you!

With love,

Will