Experiencing a Kindness

Experiencing a Kindness

The kindest thing that has happened to me, was brought about my daughter a little over a year ago.

The sensation of a wind lightly brushing across my skin, and the low hum of the fan beside me combined with the tapping of my keyboard made up the symphony surrounding me. This wasn’t abnormal, as I spent most of my time deep in my projects and the management of my business. I had been doing fairly well with this, and well I rested against the comfy pillows that rested at my back I remained focused on my task. It was mid-summer now, and I had just turned 39 years old back in June. I was doing my utmost to work in due diligence and brushing a hair from my face, I kept typing away with a method and nearly hypnotic rhythm. Over the past few years, especially since Covid, I’d been so focused on work that I had shirked dating and committed my life to expanding my business as much as possible.

The smell of my oil diffuser was yet another welcome aspect to the sanctuary of my writing space, and I rather enjoyed what I did. But, like all things, I was beginning to feel a bit of restlessness in my soul and wanted more than anything to go on some kind of vacation. I had not ventured to go on any sort of vacation in more than a decade and it was long overdue. On top of this, for the first time in my life I was excelling and earning an income far beyond anything I had ever earned before.

So, in many aspects, I felt like I deserved a vacation. And yet, what happened to me next was the very least thing I ever could’ve expected, and considerably the kindest thing anyone has ever done.

My daughter arrived on her lunch break from work, and she offered me a smile upon opening the door to say,

“Hey, Mom; how’s your day going?”

I looked up and smiled at her. Happy, as always, I paused my typing and said,

“It’s been an okay day today. Just working on a project here. How’s your day going?” She grinned and came to sit on the edge of my bed, her cheeks dimpling as they normally did when she was happy over something. I had no clue what was about to come out of her mouth next,

“So, Mom; you know your 40th birthday is next year, right?”

“Yes, of course, I do.” I chuckled, very aware of my age and getting over the hill quickly.

“Well, you know how you love New Orleans?”

“Yes?” I asked, curious where she was going with this.

“Okay, so I was thinking I have time off for vacation leave next summer and I would like to take you to New Orleans for five days to celebrate your fortieth birthday. What do you think of that? I didn’t want to just launch it on you without asking you first.”

“Wow, are you serious? Of course, I’d love to do that! I’m honestly a little shocked right now but you’re right to ask me and not blind surprise me. It gives me time to make a schedule out for work and that’s the most important thing, but yes – I’d love to go!”

“Well, plan for where you want to go and let me know and I will book our hotel.”

In telling the truth about this act of kindness, the story isn’t so much about my need for a vacation and the hard work that I had put in, but it was about my daughter showcasing how she felt about life and everything I had done for years to provide her with the best life possible. Things were often really difficult and I typically felt like no one noticed the hard work I put in with constant selflessness and devotion to what I felt mattered most. I realize with the act of kindness she bestowed on me what a wonderful person I had raised. A person who I loved and appreciated had grown up to be a giving and caring human being. A being of light, genuine compassion and love who was responsible and couldn’t have made me prouder – was a person that I could call my daughter and my best friend. Her kindness and the hardworking commitments she has to being there for others and her job along with her love of animals and the way that correlates to the 22 year old woman she is today is the real gift in all of this.

Though, I truly enjoyed the kindness she bestowed on me the best part of it was spending time with her as she accompanied me on this trip and it was the best trip Ive ever had in my adult life. The experience felt like my life had come full circle and that I actually did have time left to enjoy with my loved ones exploring places that inspired me and brought me with pure joy. The reality is, having a daughter that shares such a close relationship with you is a precious beyond anything I ever could have imagined, and when I was a little girl I mourned that I didn’t share the same sort of connection with my own mother.

Even as an adult, I kept trying to forge a better relationship with my mom only to have her repeatedly abandon me on a whim. Because I had grown tired of that, at times it was hard to imagine the little girl I was raising would one day become the greatest friend who paid the most attention to the things that mattered most to me. The trip to New Orleans was only evidence of the beautiful person she was, but the memories we made together were the most rewarding part of my experience in this and I feel her personality shined through to be the angel she really is most perfectly as a young adult in this adventure. She was a godsend to me from day one and I am so blessed to have done this with such a beautiful human being who possess a golden heart and a pure and radiant soul.

Dedicated to my daughter, you’re wonderful.

I love you forever and always,

Mom.

Happy National Daughter's Day!