Why I don’t have a Christmas tree in my classroom

Christmas is hard. We think of it as a joyous time for children. We love seeing their eyes light up in wonder at the bright lights, sparkly decorations, and delectable sweet treats. But for students with neurological or psychological disorders such as autism, ADHD, emotional disabilities, or other cognitive disabilities, it’s a horrifying nightmare. First, there’s the sensory overload of the …

Countdown to Christmas — Day 12

Welcome to Day 12 of our Countdown to Christmas! Today’s Random Act of Kindness is one that many folks probably aren’t comfortable with. If you’d like to do this anonymously, let me know, and I will send a card or letter for you. You can send me what you’d like the letter to say via email and I’ll gladly send …

Countdown to Christmas — Day 11

Welcome to Day 11 of our Christmas Countdown! Today is our Christmas Program at church. But my heart will also be with the men and women in uniform who are serving our country during this holiday season. Which brings me to this very important Random Act of Kindness: Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Write to someone in military service. You …

Countdown to Christmas — Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of our Countdown to Christmas! I love doing the act of kindness scheduled for today! Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Donate to a bell ringer. Drive to where one is on purpose to do so. I honestly would love to be a bell ringer volunteer one day. I haven’t had the privilege of doing so, but …

Countdown to Christmas – Day 9

Welcome to Day 9 of our Christmas Countdown! I’m excited about this day because it features my favorite song! Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Visit someone in the nursing home. I realize this can be uncomfortable for some folks. But just think how uncomfortable it is for people who have to live there day after day in loneliness and feelings …

Countdown to Christmas – Day 8

Welcome to day eight of the Christmas Countdown! Today’s Random Act of Kindness is one of my favorites! Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Tape change to a vending machine or a bag of microwave popcorn to a video vending machine! Doesn’t that sound like such fun? Only thing is, I’d want to hide in my car and watch people’s reaction. I …

Countdown to Christmas – Day 7

Welcome to day seven of our Christmas Countdown! Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Wear a Santa hat and pick up litter in your neighborhood or shovel someone’s driveway/sidewalk! If you’d like all the random acts of kindness in one list, email me and I’ll send you a copy.  Today’s Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 18 These are the facts concerning the birth of …

Christmas Countdown Day 6

Welcome to Day 6 of our Christmas Countdown! Today’s Random Act of Kindness: Make a Christmas card for a shut-in and deliver it in person. This act of kindness is heart-wrenching for me. The person I was going to do this for passed away yesterday morning. Her funeral is Thursday. Please don’t put off visiting a widow or widower, someone …

Christmas Countdown Day 5

Welcome to day five of our Christmas Countdown! Today’s Random Act of Kindness Donate canned goods to a charity of family in need. If you’d like all the random acts of kindness in one list, email me and I’ll send you a copy.  Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:38:  38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do …

Day 1 Countdown to Christmas – The Christmas Jar

I’ve been in a bit of a cranky mood this Christmas for various reasons. And I’ve learned through the years that the best way to get out of a funk is to concentrate on someone else. That’s how I came up with the idea of encouraging my readers to participate in a random act of kindness each day in December …