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By Elayna Swart and Coltin Duncan

The following essays were written by Baker Intermediate Students Elayna Swart (first essay) and Coltin Duncan (second essay) as part of the recent Random Acts of Kindness Week essay contest.

My way of showing kindness

Cleaning day. The worst day of the week. My mom goes on and on about how we need to keep our house clean, but we clean every week. I understand maybe once every two weeks, but every week!

We clean on Thursdays. Mom works so hard everyday. I feel bad that she cleans all of the house after she works hard. I do the same things most of the time but she always does way more work. I never want to do the work and sometimes I give her a really hard time about it. I always feel guilty if I am rude to her or impatient with her.

One Thursday this school year my mom had to stay at work really late. My dad, brother, and I were all home. I knew we didn’t have to clean that day. I thought about my mom. She was going to be so tired and she hates cleaning on weekends. I decided to put her before myself. My dad, brother, and I cleaned the whole house to surprise her when she got home. I did most of it but I had a little help. We didn’t do all of the cleaning but we did most of it. I was really proud of myself. When she had gotten home that evening she was exhausted. I could see the dread in her eyes. When she realized that we cleaned the house she glowed. She looked so relieved and satisfied. The next day, she bought my brother and I a card and a Kit Kat. I know this is a small act of kindness but it really made her feel good. Maybe sometimes you can think of a little act of kindness that will make someone’s day.

How I showed kindness

Being kind to others can have a profoundly positive impact on both the recipient and the giver. Kindness can come in many forms, big or small, and it takes a special kind of person to go out of their way to do something kind for someone else.

One of the most meaningful kindness experiences I had was when I served at a local food kitchen. Not only did I help prepare meals for those in need, but I got to interact with them and learn more about their stories and struggles. Even though this was a volunteer opportunity, I felt like I truly made a difference in the lives of those I was helping.

Another act of kindness I did was to take the time to write a get-well card for a sick friend. This small gesture of kindness meant so much to my friend and showed that I was thinking about them and wishing them the best during their time of need. It made them feel special and showed them that I was a true friend.

Giving up my time to help out a friend in need was another kind gesture I did. The friend had recently gone through a difficult time and was feeling overwhelmed. I took the time to sit down and talk with them, offering advice and support. I could tell that my time and attention meant a lot to them, and it was a rewarding experience for me as well. In conclusion, acts of kindness can have a positive impact on both the giver and the receiver, no matter how big or small the gesture. Kindness does not have to be expensive or time-consuming, and it often means more to the recipient than we may realize.