WHEN MY FRIEND SUE rummaged in her purse for something she wanted to give me, she pulled out a button with the message “Make America KIND.” Perfect. I am all for kindness. Sue’s simple act of gifting me with that button, which I pinned to the faded 1970s vintage denim jacket I was wearing, was an act of kindness in itself.
That got me thinking about kindness, not only because of the button, but because Sue and I, along with our husbands, had just finished lunch at the Damsite Supper Club in Pine River. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., veterans eat for free. So Sue’s spouse, Charley, enjoyed a complimentary meal as did other vets. The restaurant honors the veterans for their service with the kindness of a meal and then by inviting them to sign a dining room wall.
Right across the road, my friend reminded me, sits the Kindness Rocks Inspiration Garden. The memorial garden honors Bryce Mink, 11, who died in 2023 of undiagnosed lymphoma. Painted stones decorated with inspiring words and art fill the rock garden. The garden is a visual of kindness.
Before we went on our way, Sue had another gift for me. A bag of books. Fiction, nonfiction and poetry books she felt a “Prairie Lady” would appreciate. She’s downsizing and set aside Visibility: Ten Miles—A Prairie Memoir in Photography and Poetry, Light on the Prairie, Pioneer Girl—The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder and several other books. Sue knows me well and I’m grateful for her kindness.
KINDNESS DEFINED
What does it really mean to be kind? By my definition, the word means “being nice.” In actions and/or in words. Being generous, caring, compassionate. Being thoughtful. Giving without expecting anything in return. Doing what is right and good. Listening. Encouraging. Supporting. Many words define kindness.
My sister-in-law Rosie showed kindness to Randy and me when she surprised us with a homemade caramel roll upon our recent arrival at her lake cabin. She knows how much we love these rolls from Valeri Ann’s Family Foods, an eatery just down the highway in Merrifield. What a thoughtful gesture given these sweet treats sell out quickly. Rosie got the last two, saving one for us.
KINDNESS IN A HUG
Then there’s the kindness Randy and I recently extended to a stranger via a vintage desk we carried to the curb. When a passerby stopped a while later, I stepped outside to greet her. She wanted the free desk. I also invited her into my living room to look at a table we no longer need. Because the woman spoke limited English, we struggled to communicate, finally resorting to pen and paper until her friend arrived to interpret.
Eventually, the woman decided she wanted the desk only. So Randy helped load it into her friend’s car. And then I spontaneously hugged this Somali immigrant who graciously and gratefully thanked me. It felt like the right thing to do. We held each other for a moment, our embrace warm, genuine.
Kindness came full circle. It didn’t take much effort for me, Randy, Sue, Rosie and the Damsite Supper Club to “Make America KIND” in our own unique ways. Just imagine if every single person extended kindness to family, friends and strangers. This would be a much gentler, compassionate and caring country.
TELL ME: I’d like to hear about a recent act of kindness you either gave or received.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
We were in Vermont over the weekend and noticed kindness everywhere. We miss it.
Yeah, Vermont!
so much kindness in this post, it was flowing like the water on the pine river where you had dinner. is the damsite where you had the flood not too long ago? the most recent one was what I wrote about today when my daughter and her family took in a baby possum who was abandoned after it’s mother was killed by a car in front of their house. they cared for it until they could make arrangements to find a perfect rescue place for the little one. lots of kindness all around. even their cat was involved, who brought the baby to them.
How wonderful of your daughter and family to care for the baby possum until it could find a permanent home. (I am way behind on reading blogs; too much happening in my life right now).
Pine River is in central Minnesota. A rock arch rapids like the one there is being considered for my community due to a flood damaging our dam.
Just this afternoon as I was helping my friend with chores at the farm, she sensed I needed some extra time with the animals, knowing their healing power. She also prayed over me and I left feeling refreshed. She displayed loving kindness, and I am grateful.
Bless your friend for her kindness. Being prayed over or for is such a comfort.
I choose kindness and it certainly is better for my mood, vibe, and energies and sharing that with others. One may be amazed just how many cameras you interact with on a daily basis. Actions have consequences. Words cannot be taken back. Every day is a new start and to be and do the best we can. Sometimes it is not easy to be the bigger person and just let something go. It is hard not to be upset and get mad. That is a lot of energy though and sometimes the lightness comes in just how we react and act in just inserting a little kindness into that moment. We all have bad days and hard days. Do you want that to define you and your day. Probably not so much. Thanks for sharing 🙂 (((((loveandhugs))))))
Well said! Good to hear from you, Renee! 🙂
Again—- I see kindness everywhere but I suspect it is because I extend kindness whenever possible so it is easy to identify it when it happens around me. Life is too short to not be kind!
I fully agree. Life is too short to be anything other than kind.