#AtoZChallenge: K is for Kindness

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless.“

– Mother Theresa

Galatians 5:22-23

A Story of Kindness

I remember as a child I had worn shoes that did not fit correctly.  One morning I fell at school because my sole had separated from one of the shoes. I bloodied my knees and scrapped my hands.

My third-grade teacher’s name was Ms. Couch. I just love that name. She was soft and comfortable like a couch, but she was a brilliant and beautiful teacher, elegant, sweet, and kind.

I will never forget her coming over to me and helping me up. She took me to the nurse after asking another teacher to watch her class.

“Mary, you don’t have any other shoes?” She asked as looked down at my ragged tennis shoes. Embarrassed, I looked down at the ground. I really hadn’t thought my shoes were inadequate. That ugly pair was all I had. My parents worked hard, but keeping all four of us in new shoes was difficult. I was also the fastest grower; so  I would outgrow and wear out a pair of shoes almost every four to six months.

I don’t know how she arranged it, but she must have spoken with my mother.  Later that evening, she came to my house and picked me up. My mother greeted her at the door with a smile and hug.

“Mary, Mrs. Couch is here. She wants to take you on a special outing.”

We went to a shoe store, where she bought me not one but three pairs of shoes: church dress shoes, tennis shoes, and loafers.

Kindness can also start with the letter C for Mrs. Couch, my third-grade teacher.

We all know at least one personal story of kindness that impacted us to the core.  Do you have a story you can share? Please feel free to leave me a comment about your experience or even a link to your own stories in the comment area.