Sandy Says Kindness is Free

Daniel Garcia Long, our wonderful guest preacher this past Sunday, referenced an astonishing commencement address by George Saunders about kindness, here is an excerpt:

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.
Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth?

Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.

After service on Sunday, I was telling Liz and Selene about my dear friend Sandy, whom I miss very much. When I think of kindness, fondness, and undeniable warmth - I think of Sandy. 

Sandy made me a first-time cat mommy by kindly giving me my first little one to care for and love. Generously, she provided all the supplies and mentored me through this new companionship between myself and this sweet little cat. 

Too, Sandy lovingly walked me through the process of releasing and letting go of my darling girl. 

Lily had cancer that was very far along, and I never knew until it was too late. Sandy told me that when they stop eating, which Lily had done earlier that week, it is their way of letting us know that they are ready. Was Lily intentionally hiding her suffering for my sake? Was I not paying enough attention? I had never experienced euthanasia with a fur baby, it truly is life and death before you and Sandy held my hand throughout this. As painful as it was, still is, through her kindness, Sandy reassured and comforted me. 

After Lily died, Sandy and her husband offered to pay for Lily’s cremation, which included her sweet little paw prints and her ashes. Sandy said it was a thank you for taking such good care of her. The kindness was limitless in Sandy’s life. 

Sandy says… kindness is free!

Knowing the end of her life was nearing, having also been stricken by cancer, Sandy planned her memorial. Her adoring husband and loved ones, as promised, followed through with her wishes. 

That day, Sandy reminded us that she lived a good life, and I think, the foundation to her well-lived life is that it was guided by kindness. 

We are the hands and feet of Jesus, ambassadors of Christ. I invite you, the way Sandy encouraged me long ago, to be guided by kindness. 

Lovingly, Denia Bradshaw