I think this is self-explanatory – but just to let you know – this was written by my eldest daughter yesterday – and it’s about something that she and I saw happen a couple of days ago – and we just wanted to share it with you:

"In today’s modern world, where tragedies happen on such a large scale, it is the small acts of kindness that redeem one’s faith in the overall goodness of humanity. This past Tuesday afternoon, my mom and I sat in her car outside of Placer High School waiting for my sister. Looking out of the windshield I saw a young boy walking toward us. His thin-rimmed glasses were partially obscured by a navy hoodie falling past his forehead since his head was lowered, presumably in thought over the day he had just finished. Passing us by, I saw him inch his way into my side mirror’s view.

Suddenly, from the opposite frame of the mirror an SUV careened into view, heading directly at a trashcan on the sidewalk. With a loud smash, it spun the trashcan around -- spilling its contents all over the pavement. Without hesitation, the driver sped down the road, past the boy, and past us. “I can’t believe that just happened!” I said to my mom, turning to see her expression, which was about to form the same words, “I can’t believe that just happened and that they just left!” Exasperated, I turned to look in the mirror once more, about to get out of the car to pick up the trash when what I saw made my disappointed face crack a smile.

There was the boy, bending down to pick up all of the trash, holding his heavy backpack in place with his other hand. Without thought toward who was watching him, or why he should do it, this young boy took it upon himself to help a complete stranger just…because -- as he explained when we asked him what made him stop to help.

With the recent, unthinkable tragedy that occurred last week, it’s more than easy to lose hope this holiday season, to think that we live in a violent world, and to simply give up on the goodness in humanity. But then something small, something so very pure happens: a child without want for thank or recognition picks up a stranger’s trash, simply “because.” Shouldn’t we do good for one another?

It is the small things that count, and in the peak of the holiday season I hope that we can all remember that and brighten our world by doing simply one small good deed that will make someone else’s life easier without want for thanks or recognition.

Let it carry through to the rest of your life, and if someone ever asks you why you are doing such a simple act of kindness, answer with just “because.”

Oh – and one last note: Way to go -- Phil Barry! You’re a good kid!