~ A Story of Human Kindness ~

One morning last month I was feeling completely exhausted - emotionally & physically. I had returned home very late the night before from a trip and had spent most of the night tossing & turning. You know one of those nights where you just can't turn it off. It seemed like the only thing I could muster up energy for was sitting in front of the computer reading blogs and drinking my coffee. I had just spent a few days with my Mom. I have always been very close to her and love her dearly. So you may be wondering why I found it so stressful to visit her. Well, she has been living for the past several years of her life with Alzheimer's disease. It has gotten pretty advanced now and even though I had just seen her a few months ago it is always kind of a shock to see how much further she has declined and what a struggle life has become for her. Despite all of the sadness, we had a good visit. However, even though I know I did everything I could to help her while I was there it is hard not to feel helpless with this disease.



So, while searching blogs that morning I happened upon a post on Debra K's blog, The Bunnies' Bungalow ( I feel like at this point I should have made this a link to Debra's blog, but being a new blogger I have no idea how to do that ~ anybody care to fill me in I would welcome the information). Debra's Mom also has Alzheimer's and in her post she showed some of the books and a DVD that have been helpful to her in their journey. She so kindly offered to send copies to anybody who requested them. I must say in the place I was in that morning I felt like I could use all of them. However, I felt a little strange to ask someone I had never met to send me something. So, I left a comment for Debra & asked her which resource she felt had helped her the most. She responded back to me with the name of the one she felt was the most helpful and offered to send it to me if I sent her my address. I did send my address & still felt a little funny about expecting this from a "stranger" so I asked her to tell me how much the book cost & I would send her a check.



This past weekend on Saturday night I just hung up from a conference call with my brother & sister. We had spent over an hour discussing the next move we need to make with our Mom. We all know it is time for her to move into an assisted living facility. Like is so often the case in these matters there are many things to take into consideration and we all want to make it as smooth as possible for her, but we know she is no longer able to make decisions for herself. I hung up from the call feeling emotionally drained once again.



Right at that very moment my son came into the room and handed me this:




I couldn't even imagine who had sent me a package until I saw Debra's name in the corner. I thought the package seemed awfully thick for one book. When I opened it I discovered that she had sent me all 3 books and the DVD. Also included was a very sweet & touching handwritten note and the heart with the beautiful sentiment (see 1st picture) tucked inside.

Words cannot express how touched I am by Debra's kindness. When my son saw what was in the package he asked who sent it. After I told him who it was from he said "Wow, there really are a lot of nice people in this world, aren't there?" I think we both had a lump in our throats.

I have placed Debra's gift in one of my favorite baskets and put it in my favorite reading chair. I am planning to find some time every day in the early morning to read these books and to pray for my Mom and Debra's Mom and give thanks to God for the blessing of human kindness. And Debra, if you are reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.