Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 13, 1995 TAG: 9502150005
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
On the night before his Feb. 14 execution, he wrote a note to the girl, who had been kind to him, and signed it "from your Valentine."
Although we most often associate romantic love with Valentine's Day, the holiday that adds a welcome bit of fun to the bleakness of midwinter, it is a wonderful excuse to express kindness and friendship, just like St. Valentine.
And even if you don't send or receive flowers or candy, most likely you'll head home from school Tuesday with overflowing boxes of greetings and cards from classmates. Being remembered by other people in a nice way always makes us feel good.
Friendship and kindness can be expressed in many different ways. And it doesn't have to end on St. Valentine's Day, or, for that matter, Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Whether you help other people or someone is considerate of you, most of you seem to agree: An act of kindness makes you feel good.
When Tiffany Jayne, a pupil at Oak Grove Elementary in Roanoke County, and her mother got stuck in the snow recently, three strangers came along and shoveled their car out.
"My mom was very grateful for them, and so was I, because I was starving and we needed to get some food," said Tiffany.
Chris Howell of Roanoke County took the opportunity to do something kind for someone himself during a recent round of bad weather: He cleared the snow off the driveway and sidewalk near his house.
"My dad went in early to work with no boots because it wasn't really snowing when he left. I thought he might fall with his good clothes on," Chris said. After helping his family out, Chris said, "I felt happy and very kind."
Acts of kindness performed in a group can bring joy to many people at once.
During the Christmas holidays, Jeremy White of Roanoke County went caroling with his class at Lewis-Gale Psychiatric Center and at a retirement home.
"I felt very good because I made other people happy," Jeremy said.
Volunteering on a regular basis or helping needy people are other ways we can express kindness.
Ann Mallin of Roanoke County volunteered at the SPCA and took animals to a nursing home for residents to enjoy.
Sarah Crockett's Brownie troop in Wytheville took food and presents to a needy family during the holidays.
"I felt very happy that I could help someone in need," said Sarah.
Nikki Ferguson of Vinton donated food to a food bank, and Markeia Young of Roanoke entertained some nursing home residents by playing her recorder. She also donated toys to a shelter for battered women.
Acts of kindness don't always involve donating to the needy or volunteering. Little things, which may seem like no big deal at the time, often can do so much to make someone feel good. Michael Brown of Roanoke County, for example, let someone go first in line. He felt good afterward, he said.
Jason Cruff of Roanoke County recently helped someone out at the grocery store.
"One day, I was in the grocery store parking lot when an elderly lady finished unloading her groceries," Jason said. He walked over and asked if he could return her cart for her. She agreed and thanked him. "I felt happy and proud," said Jason.
Sarah Rucker, a third-grader from Rocky Mount, helped her older brother learn his spelling words.
"I felt really good when he said 'thank you,'" she said.
Sometimes, doing something kind can benefit you in other ways besides making you feel good inside.
Shane King of Wytheville helped his brother with a science project. In exchange, Shane's brother taught him to do some tricks.
And often, an act of kindness can be as simple as lending an ear or talking things out with a friend who needs someone.
Monica Taylor of Roanoke did just that recently.
"I gave advice to someone when they needed it to sort out a problem," she said. "That made me feel good because she told me that my advice had helped her a lot."
Following are some suggestions, sent in by NewsFun readers to Mini Forum, of acts of kindness you can practice:
Share your school supplies with a classmate.
Let somebody else go first.
Let your little brother or sister borrow your CDs.
Clear off the table and take care of the dishes for your mom or dad.
Offer to baby-sit for free, or, if you're too young to baby-sit, offer to watch younger children while the parents are doing something else at home.
Make a card for your grandparents and tell them how much you appreciate them.
Throw the ball to someone else when it's your turn.
Help a teacher out with a task, such as washing the chalk board or cleaning up around your desk.
Offer your friendship to a kid at school who's short on friends.
Make a coupon booklet and give it to your parents. They can exchange the coupons for such kind acts as taking the garbage out, feeding the dog or just a hug.
Smile at someone you don't know.
Make sure you send a Valentine to everyone in your class.
by CNB