LET'S KEEP KINDNESS GOING IN THE YEAR AHEAD

What a week it's been. Kindness has been overflowing throughout the region. Wouldn't it be great if this practice of the Golden Rule could continue year-round?

Some of the wonderful events this week were planned to coincide with Kindness Week. Others just worked out that way.

Perhaps one of the most heartwarming stories involved two men who stepped forward to pay for the field trip and Race Day money stolen during a burglary at Alma Schrader School. As a kindness these men each wrote a check for $250. It replaced the estimated $500 stolen in money and special items collected for a student with cancer. And perhaps more amazing in this world where everyone takes credit for everything is the fact they chose to remain anonymous.

Their actions restored faith in human kindness for hundreds of children and a community at large.

The week culminated with a visit by "Dr. Kindness," Will Glennon, who chairs the national Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. The series of Random Acts of Kindness books, which really sparked the kindness revolution, was the brainchild of his small publishing company. He probably never imagined the worldwide movement these books would spark. People are hungry for a little kindness, and this movement provides a reminder to practice good deeds every day.

The stories and hotline calls the newspaper has run throughout the past week have been heartwarming. The stories focused both on kind acts performed during the week, and people who extend extra kindness' throughout the year.

There was the story of a sixth-grader in Jackson who asked friends to bring gifts for other needy girls instead of herself. She taught us that the little things in life make a difference.

We learned more about Habitat for Humanity and how this organization is building homes and hope in the region. We focused on Millie Turner and the kindness' she has performed for Girl Scouting. All 17 locations of Rhodes 101 served up a little extra kindness this week with window washing, gas pumping and package carrying for customers.

We looked at kindness through the eyes of two fifth grade classes in Jackson. There was a wonderful story about a college student who devotes herself to Christian service. And let's not forget a group of talented musical teen-agers who will honor the memory of another kind person -- the late Traci Taylor -- with a benefit concert May 25. Although sick for 13 years with leukemia, Traci gave without thought to herself. She originated the Toy Train at Southeast Missouri Hospital to help lift the spirits of other ailing children. She died at age 19 in February, but her spirit of kindness and giving will long be remembered.

Sixth-graders at Scott City Middle School held a surprise party for their janitor, who is retiring at the end of the year. Southeast Missouri Hospice volunteers handed out 2,000 sunflowers at the Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, while employees there carried packages out to customers' cars.

Students at Delta collected nearly 70 backpacks for orphans in Romania, and we learned from Bill and Barbara Port that the best way to repay a kindness is to pass it on.

We met senior citizens in Cape Girardeau and Jackson who extended a helping hand to young people. Residents at Jackson Manor baked muffins for the annual breakfast for the Jackson High School senior class this week, and the representatives of the Cape Senior Center delivered cupcakes they had baked for children at Christian School for the Young Years.

The stories of volunteers at St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital also brought smiles. These volunteers give from the heart to help patients in need.

We read about the Cape Public Schools surprising other public and parochial schools with gift baskets. We were touched by the story of Audrey Golden and her ministry with children at Lynwood Baptist Church. We learned that a hero can be many things, including a Cape Girardeau man, Justin Newberry, who saved the day for concertgoers whose car broke down between St. Charles and the Show Me Center.

The pages of the Southeast Missourian were also filled with hotline calls about kindnesses extended during this week and beyond. They were wonderful and spontaneous.

But for Random Acts of Kindness Week to really be a success, it won't end today with the week's observance. Kindness is a habit like anything else. Let's keep the circle of kindness unbroken in the weeks and months ahead. A small kindness really does make a difference.