May we run to the beat of Daniel's Drum

26 Acts of Kindness
Act #25 and # 26

I have been reluctant to post my final acts in this series honoring the victims of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School  because I am selfishly holding onto two little boys.  If I don't write this - I won't loose them.  I know that's not true but somewhere in this heart and head I just want to hold them a bit longer.

Daniel Barden loved drums.  The drum, the beat - so basic, clear, the rhythm of our hearts.  It hurts.  My heart hurts.  I think of this young boy when I hear the drums.  And in my world of children's librarianship - the drums play twice a week during story time.  Kids love drums.  We will remember Daniel Barden.

And Chase Kowalski, seven years old, a runner who loved baseball... steals home today.  My final "shout out" goes to this young man as I imagine him running the bases.  Running has been "my thing" most of my life.  Maybe this is why Chase is my last person to honor. It's funny how after a decade of no longer being a runner - it is still the picture in my brain of just who I am.  This will be the same for Chase - I will imagine him in full stride.

If you've followed the blog through my 26 Acts of Kindness you may remember that I joined this movement established by Anne Curry because I was feeling quite solo at home on medical leave.  I missed the world.  I decided that doing kind acts honoring the victims and blogging about it would help me re-connect with this great big gigantic world.  It has.  It's worked in more ways than I could even try to explain. Trust me on this.

During a recent medical appointment I noticed that there were plenty of magazines but no children's books. This needed a remedy!  

In honor of Daniel Barden and Chase Kowalski: a basket of 20 books available for kids to read.  I did check with the staff before bringing in books.  Providing the basket was key...it gave the books a home and makes them easy to move from examining room to waiting room to wherever needed.  

From my view - Daniel's beat is the steady thrum of heart and life and learning and loving.  And Chase, you have brought" home" to the doctor's office where those little ones with injuries will hopefully cuddle and read with mom or dad and heal to run another day.  Thanks guys.  Up high!!  

If you are interested in 26 Acts of Kindness, please click here. 

On a closing note - the memory of Chase Kowalski running has brought me right to Boston and more Acts of  Kindness.  The world always needs more Acts of Kindness.  Amen.