After the US election this past November, I decided to stop intentionally accessing all news sources. I had done what I could before the election, investing time and money, trying to influence voters in nearby Wisconsin. The political theater was weighing heavily on my spirit - I needed a break from it as I had been neglecting parts of the world closest to me while being so concerned with national and global issues. Looking around to better understand my surroundings, I was surprised to find a source of inspiration within a familiar item tucked away in my seasonal clothing bin.
As winter began to settle here in Chicagoland I realized that a hat and mitten set, given to me by an elderly lady on my morning newspaper delivery route, has been traveling with me for about 50 years. I remember her house, but don’t recall her name. It seems incredible that the mittens stayed together through about a dozen new addresses, on me as a college student, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and had never fallen out of a pocket or been accidentally left behind somewhere as single mittens so often do, leaving their partner alone to be eventually discarded. The color pattern is simple, blue with a green stripe, and the most basic shape, but she must have knitted them with much love as there’s not a single hole to this day. They’re not the most weather-resistant mittens, and the hat doesn’t quite cover my ears, but I love them and have been wearing them nearly every day this winter, as the warmth they bring is from the kindness from which they were born. I’m pretty sure she never imagined these mittens would still be on my hands, but each day now her goodwill resonates in me deeply.
These fairly plain winter accessories have been a gift in a way I never imagined. They’re a reminder to me of how each act of kindness ripples out far beyond where one can imagine. They have helped me think of all of the intangible, random acts of kindness that I’ve been the fortunate recipient of, nearly all not appreciated as much as they deserved. A small portion of them are memorable, though all have been a positive, gentle nudge in the direction that brought me here today. They inspire me to be more kind to more people and challenge me when I hesitate to reach out because I may notice differences between myself and others rather than acknowledge our common humanity. A challenge to act with warmth without regard to an environment that at times is harsh, and a call to lean in selflessly with kindness when it seems this may be in conflict with prevailing headwinds. To look for opportunities to touch the heart of one who may have hardened in defense to adversity, misfortune, or tragedy in their lives, and acknowledge that each of us struggles in a personal way to manage within this complicated, difficult world that we all share. Though the needs and fears of others may be different from mine, I’m motivated to be mindful that each of us is trying to figure things out as best we can.
These mittens and this hat have taught me that each act of kindness has an impact and durability beyond imagination. They’ve helped me notice acts of kindness around me, and this is a source of encouragement and joy; to strive to acknowledge the views of others which may differ from mine, knowing that like me they come to this place with limitations and influences from an imperfect environment to face obstacles that are personal and difficult in a way that I can only try to understand but must accept. I can’t go back to express my gratitude to the lady who lived on the 200 block of 2nd Street for this hat and mittens, only pass it forward to others.
