On July 12 it will
be three years since our son, Wil, was shot and killed as he innocently walked
down a street in Chicago. I’m not going to rehash it all. If you are curious
and want to know the situation and circumstances, I’ve written several posts: “Justice
Weeps” and “Our Own Terrible Horrible Day” are the two most recent.
As I’ve written in
previous posts, my family and I don’t want pity. We recognize July 12 in our
own way, quietly and without much fanfare. It’s the way Wil would have wanted
it.
But I do have a
favor to ask . . .
Wil was a
spontaneous guy. He was fun-loving and good-hearted. Certainly he made his
mistakes along the way, just like each of us. We found out at the visitation
and at his service how he affected others’ lives in a positive way.
So here is what I
would like you to do . . .
It is simple,
really. On July 12, I ask you to do some act of random kindness for someone.
The person can be known or unknown to you. For examples: while in a line at a
fast food restaurant, you could pay for the meal for the guy behind you. When
asked why, simply say, “It’s For Wil.” You can add however much of his story as
you like or nothing at all. Truly up to you.
Buy a cup of
coffee at Starbucks for someone. Buy a donut at Dunkin Donuts for someone. Buy
a bouquet of flowers and hand them out one by one to random people or give
someone the whole bunch. Whip up a batch of brownies for a neighbor. Text a
friend who hasn’t heard from you in a while or send someone an email who hasn’t
heard from you. And please, each time, simply say, “It’s For Wil.”
Or not. Don’t have
to say anything at all. But do something, some act of random kindness on behalf
of Wil.
There are folks
who read this column from the USA, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom,
and India along with other countries in the world. This column is read by
approximately 120 people a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. Can you
imagine what might happen if all of you and all of those who read Simple
Thoughts do something kind for someone randomly on July 12? Can you imagine what
the outpouring of the gift of love and kindness might do for all those lives we
might touch?
And if you care to,
stick a note in the comment section of the post. Give me your first name and
your city and country and let me know what you did. I’d love to hear how it
turned out for you.
May your gift of
kindness touch a life in a positive way. May your gift of kindness touch your
life in a positive way. And on behalf of my family, I thank you for this
consideration. For Wil. Something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference! God Bless!
To My Readers:
I finished my fifth work of thriller/suspense fiction,
Caught in a Web and I’ll keep you
posted as to when it will be published.
Please feel free
to connect with me at:
Twitter at
@jrlewisauthor
Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author
If you like Thriller/Suspense fiction, check out my
novels:
Available on
Amazon for .99 the Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives:
FBI Agent Pete
Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys
left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know
one another, the lives of FBI Agent Kelliher and two boys become interwoven
with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them
are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as
each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis
Stolen Lives, Book One of the Lives Trilogy:
Two thirteen year
old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI
agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead!
They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility exists
that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis
Shattered Lives, Book Two of the Lives Trilogy:
Six men escaped
and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger
and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no
leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis
Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy:
It began in Arizona with death and it ends in
Arizona in death. A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his
family don’t know it. Their family vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out
gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without
knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for
him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis
Will do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe!
ReplyDeleteI was sitting studying a group of students walked into the Learning Commons at the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee. I overheard how "starving" they were! They couldn't have the study room till 5:00 and it was occupied by another group so they plopped themselves down to wait to have occupancy of the room. I overheard their conversation regarding where they should order pizza from!?!!?
ReplyDeleteKnowing Wil was once a "starving" college student with no money I thought this was a perfect opportunity! Oh how we loved Wil--such a kind caring free-spirited loving young man! His memory lives on! Without a doubt I know Wil was smiling when he saw the faces on these students when they found out "It's for Wil".
Thank you, Jenn! Means a lot. From our family to you and yours, thank you!
ReplyDelete