Spreading Kindness

A few years ago, we adopted a tradition that both Brian and I enjoyed growing up in the 70's and 80's - a felt Christmas Tree Advent Calendar complete with felt ornaments to add each day as we count down to the holiday. Aside from the occasional arguments over who hangs which ornament where, (sharing is hard when you are a kid) we have all really enjoyed our little felt tree.

Felt Advent Calendar

Taryn and Colin are now at the age where they really love getting presents and like many children, that has become a big focus of the holiday for them. Despite the fact that we lead a relatively secular life, I found myself wanting to shift their focus off of the material aspects of Christmas and instead channel some of their boundless energy in the direction of doing nice things for others.

Random Acts of Kindness

In late November, a few friends in my Facebook feed were sharing the Coffee Cups and Crayons Random Acts of Kindness calendar. After a bit of discussion with Brian and the kids, we reviewed the calendar and searched Pinterest for additional ideas and decided on 24 small acts of kindness we could do each day to spread joy in our community. Megan from Coffee Cups and Crayons offers a printable calendar on  her blog, but we decided I would write the activities on paper and tape them to a dollar store calendar we have hanging in our kitchen. That way, we can move the activities around if needed. It isn't fancy, but it is a start and next year we can always change the system around.

Our Not-so-fancy Kindness Calendar

Activities

One of the things I always worry about when taking on a new tradition is how much time it will take to prepare and execute. When choosing activities to do, we tried to balance the preparation time and complexity so we had some very simple tasks to execute as well as some that require a bit more planning and work to execute. We also tried to spread the more time consuming items around the calendar to allow for ample time to prepare.

Some examples of the simple tasks include: telling a joke, leaving a note for a friend, calling a loved one and smiling and greeting everyone we meet.

A few that need more preparation and coordination include: scheduling time to socialize the cats with the local rescue group, leaving kindness stones along our favorite trail, place pine cone bird feeders at the park and bringing cookies to the fire station.

Leaving Popcorn at RedBox

I am really looking forward to the activities where we get to prepare something together as a family - like the kindness stones or cookies and then have a little adventure to execute our act of kindness.

Does your family have a tradition that helps spread holiday joy?

Spreading kindness, Kim

Seven before 7

For the past six years we have found ourselves engaged in efforts to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis by partnering with groups including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Rock CF and OutRun38. Our involvement has ranged from participating in walks such as Great Strides to organizing fun runs and taking on new athletic endeavors in an effort to rally support while challenging ourselves.

Living with cystic fibrosis isn't easy. Colin has already shown amazing maturity and commitment to his treatments and routine - inspiring us daily. We know that there are even greater challenges ahead for him. Challenges that in addition to a great team of doctors and supporters he will also need to rely on his own commitment, bravery and inner strength. 

When adding new treatments to his regimen that are time consuming and replace fun activities - he needs patience and commitment to keep up with those routines. 

The first time he needs to spend extended time in the hospital he will need to be brave.

Sometimes medical procedures and tests cause pain and discomfort and he needs to rely on his mental toughness knowing that the discomfort is temporary and will be beneficial in the end.

On a smaller scale, by challenging ourselves to take on new distances and achieve goals that are a bit outside of our comfort zone, we model these behaviors for Colin and show him how to approach new experiences, work through challenges and set-backs and celebrate the results of commitment and focus.

Seven before 7

In May of 2015, I ran my first half marathon to raise awareness and support for cystic fibrosis and Team Boomer. During the first half of 2016, I will tackle seven races before Colin turns 7 at the end of May. As I write this, the schedule starts with a 5 mile race on New Year's Day, 3 half marathons including my first trail half marathon, a 10 mile race and at least one sprint triathlon or duathlon. I'm also hoping to find the perfect 5K for us to complete on his birthday as a family crossing the finish line together. 

Along the way, in addition to raising awareness and seeking donations for the Boomer Esiason foundation, I will also be reflecting on how I can further develop and model the traits of commitment, bravery and mental toughness. I look forward to sharing my journey with Colin and with you. 

If you have a suggestion for a race or would like to run, bike or swim with me, I would love to hear from you. You can also support my efforts by making a donation to the Boomer Esiason Foundation via my First Giving Page.

Thank you for your love and support, Kim

Anything Is Possible

On September 12, 2015, Brian and I traveled to the coast of Rhode Island to meet up with a group of like minded friends we met through social media. The plan was to have dinner and then get up very early the next morning to run and spectate a race. I would be running my second half marathon and Brian would be cheering on a group of more than 100 of us running the 5K or tackling 13.1 miles.

Misquamicut State Beach, RI

We both knew this experience would be unforgettable but we didn't anticipate the extent of the impact it would have on our lives.

Dinner was fabulous, we met the founders of OutRun38 - including Liz who is the inspiration for the the group as well as other parents with children fighting cystic fibrosis. We also met a courageous woman with CF who would be running her first half marathon accompanied by her doctor and would be cheered on by her family - including her son, also fighting CF. We felt so welcomed by this group of virtual turned real-life friends - the conversations flowed easily and it felt like we had been friends forever.

It wasn't hard to wake up early on Sunday morning to head to the starting line. I was excited but felt amazingly calm - my goal, to run with my heart and take in every moment, every sight and every conversation I had along the way. I got to run with so many wonderful people all supporting each other running for the greater purpose of raising awareness and proving that with a bit of effort and focus anything is possible.

Anything is Possible

During the race I had the pleasure of running several miles (and cartwheeling) with Nicole, one of the founders of OutRun38. We spoke about life and our families, Colin's diagnosis, her friendship with Liz, our hope for a cure and the future of OutRun38 as the organization was nearing its first birthday. Of course as it happens whenever two type A mothers who want to take it all on get together - the creativity flowed and so many ideas percolated during that conversation, so much possibility to raise awareness and to spread the message that anything is possible.

Chasing Tomorrows

Just shy of three months later, I still haven't processed that weekend fully. I came away knowing that there is more we have to do and more for us to share. This blog and social presence is the start as we chase a future of tomorrows for Colin and others battling cystic fibrosis.

Brian and I started running so we could be healthy and strong to care for Colin but also to set an example for Colin and his sister, Taryn. Not just sharing the practical lessons of self care and health but also what we learn about ourselves and others along the way. We are not waiting around for a cure to happen - we will fight for it and encourage others to join us because anything is possible.

We hope you will join us as we Chase Tomorrows.

Chasing Tomorrows