Smiles

5.) Something that made you smile this week.

Two weeks ago, I was starting to get very anxious. I could feel my chest tighten, when I thought about the fact that Connor's birthday was approaching quickly. I couldn't stop it from arriving, or even make it slow down. Tears would gather at the uncertainty of what this month would bring, leading up to the day. The anniversary of the worst thing I have ever been through. However, that day is also now the birthday of my first born, even if he is not with me. 

I didn't want the day to be awful. I didn't want to be anxious this whole month leading up to the day. I want to celebrate Connor. I want to honor the fact that he existed, not mourn the loss of him. 

We came up with the idea of asking family and friends to complete an act of kindness. The idea was that kindness and goodness would be spread, because Connor existed. The world would be a better place, even if he couldn't have an "active" role in making that happen. 


I didn't know two weeks ago, when I first asked for this favor, how many smiles this would bring to my face. How many people would instantly embrace the idea. There have been many kind words, and kind acts. My heart has swelled. Messages have come in from not only multiple states, but multiple countries. How amazing is that? Goodness is being spread around the world, because of Connor. 

This is kind of a half way check in. A "we're half way there, thank you so much for all you have done already." 

Multiple people have been fed.
Families who were struggling, have been gifted with things they need.
Carts that would normally go astray, put in their place for others.
Money donated to multiple charities. 
Did you know that it is incredibly hard to gather the items for home baked cookies in Abu Dhabi? I didn't, but now multiple workers have enjoyed home baked cookies, because of a friend. 

It was featured as a writing topic, by one of my favorite bloggers: 

Mama's Losin' it!

That led to Connor's story being spread even further, and blog posts and comments filled with kindness: 

Mama's Losin' It!

Perspicacity

Becoming Blameless

This is not a complete, detailed, list. I truly have gotten at least one message a day. I appreciate every single deed that has been done, and the kind words/messages sent to our family. I have felt so uplifted in support and love. I have found over the past two weeks, I can't help but smile when I think of Connor. I think of all the good being spread. I am not unsure of how these next two weeks, and March 7, will go. I know that we will celebrate that Connor existed. 

Thank you, again, to every single person who has supported us these past few weeks and this past year. Whether it was a kind word, text message, Facebook message, an act of kindness, or a silent prayer that I didn't hear. It is all sincerely appreciated.