Kindness Case

Kindness is a personal quality that enables an individual to be sensitive to the needs of others and to take personal action to endeavor to meet those needs. It’s more than being nice and agreeable. It’s quality of one’s being, not just a matter of a person’s behavior. This makes it a personal virtue and not just an action or a personal gift that is given to someone. Kindness can be expressed in a multitude of ways, but one time stands out in my mind that really helped show me that a little bit of kindness can change someone’s entire world.

For my entire life my family has attended the Catholic Church. Growing up in the Catholic faith helped guide me to be the charitable person I am today. I take any opportunity I have to help people out. One Sunday, as a sat on the altar, Mass drew to an end, and a little elderly lady stood up. She began to explain that her husband had passed away not long ago. She said that her house was in need of repair, and that she would be grateful if someone could help her out. I volunteered my service, and followed her home after church.

Upon arriving I could tell that the house hadn’t been maintained in some time. The grass was long and the white paneled home was covered in dirt and grime. She had me start by mowing her yard. As I fired up the mower she retreated back into her house, and I began. After mowing her front and back yard she came outside and offered me a glass of water. As I sat and drank she explained to me that her husband passed away about a year ago, and that the only children she had lived across the country. After a brief exchange of words I got back to work. I went after her water hose and hooked it up, and began to wash the outside of her home, and watched as the muddy dirt ran off the house onto the sidewalk and into the street. I replanted flowers outside, and helped repaint her mailbox.

After finishing up all the chores around her home we sat together on her front porch and talked.