Count Down to Kindness

Just another day in December? Nope! If you are keeping an advent calendar, like we are, then each day is filled with a new surprise. Pictured above is our yearly advent calendar. Some years, we indulge by adding store-bought, chocolate-filled calendars to our decorating list, and some years we do not. But, this nativity advent calendar remains our favorite.

When Heller was just four years old, it was difficult to include him in the end-of-holiday clean-up. Everything had to be just so in order to pack tightly to fit into our small attic or garage. Heller so wanted to be a part of the break down—almost as much as the put-up. One day I decided to start an end-of-holiday tradition. Heller would be responsible for putting each nativity piece back into its doorway—a job he took very seriously.

For the last few years, the calendar has remained in its box. We couldn’t bear the thought that each day in December, we would be reminded that we were opening a door without Heller.

This year, we finally had the strength to pull out our calendar and we were met with something quite unexpected. December 22nd was missing its door. We don’t know why, and we do not know where the door has gone. We only know that this year, we won’t open the door without Heller. We will keep his door to kindness open—this year, and forever after.

Today's Kindness Reminder: Keep the door to kindness open!