A Time to Show Kindness

This time of year, our thoughts move to love and kindness, renewal and opportunity.

Like my parents before me, I also view this time of year as an opportunity to demonstrate how much we love our family members and to show appreciation for all they do year-round to make us feel special. 

I believe this is also the perfect time to expand that concept further by showing appreciation in different ways – from kindnesses to strangers such as donating blood during a national time of need to making donations to our local non-profits struggling to make ends meet while striving to improve the lives of those with fewer resources. 

We can also take the opportunity to show love for others through volunteerism.   

The concept is not so unique as you might think. In the generation of my grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents, in the months of late winter through early spring, they often gave of their time and energy to help other neighboring families by banding together to plant spring crops in the fields or feed the cattle. Some would heft extra loads of firewood to neighbors running low on supplies while others prepared fresh baked loaves of bread to drop off at neighbors’ homes. A newborn or youngsters in the family? A fresh pail of milk or freshly churned butter might be found on the doorstep. 

Their deeds were not only acts of kindness but also filled needs for each other – something we can continue today, but maybe in a slightly different manner.

Through five generations of my family in Denton County, I have seen our lives morph through the years from traveling through Denton County on wagon trails to living in suburban neighborhoods with SUVs parked in driveways. We have much of what we need mere minutes down the road. 

Perhaps this spring, we can look around to discover a neighbor in need of a little assistance in spring cleaning. Or clean out our closets and donate unused clothing and non-perishable food to a local non-profit. These seemingly small acts of kindness from many people can make huge differences across our communities throughout Denton County. 

Maybe this year, we can also think of Spring as a season of giving back – a way to make a difference in the lives of those around us – friends and strangers alike. 

Connect With Us

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. My email is andy.eads@dentoncounty.gov, and my office number is 940-349-2820. For more information, register for my newsletter at www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup