Mr. Hugh Sutherland’s birthday is today, September 26; and, and I chose to dedicate this post to honor his memory.
Through blogging, I met his wife, Karen Sutherland, and found out that she was “encouraging family and dear friends to honor his memory with acts of kindness.”
So, I decided to join other bloggers in the first annual Pay It Forward Tribute
My Act of Kindness: Friday, September 26
When I moved to Orlando, almost five years ago, the first person to reach out to us was our next door neighbor. Not so long ago, I wrote a post about our unusual friendship.
It didn’t take long to find out that we had something in common – Breast Cancer. I was a two-year survivor, having been diagnosed in 2008. And she was a seven-year survivor, with a recent recurrence. Today, she is under 24-hour hospice care in her home.
She lost her mother, the only remaining member of her family, to breast cancer maybe a year-or-so before we met. But she has a strong support network in the neighborhood. In addition, her over 35 years of working with a worldwide christian organization has led to forming many long-term friendships throughout this country as well as others.
Today, I made the weekly delivery to my next door neighbor’s home — flowers and a card:
Last week, when I made my delivery of pastries from Paneras, she was feeling well enough for a short visit. But, I left with a heavy heart for her conditioned had worsened.
Two weeks ago, I sit with her for almost five hours laughing, talking and sharing photos of my summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. She is originally from Boston and now says she regrets never taking the time to visit this Island.
I will continue my weekly deliveries, always with a note, that Hubby and I are just a Hug Away.
Thank You, Karen Sutherland
I am grateful for the opportunity to honor your husband by sharing this Act of Kindness. Karen, I so look forward to your comments on my blog posts. I am always uplifted, enlightened, motivated and inspired when I hear from you. One day, I hope you will decide to create a blog that I could follow. I value your written words.
SeasonedSistah 
So lovely. The time you spend with her means so much. Time is the best gift we can give to one another. My birthday wish was for my friends to “pay if forward through random act of kindness.” Great minds think alike 😉
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dear Yvonne,
when I came to your site today I was astonished and in happy tears, so completely overwhelmed that you dedicated this post to honor my Beloved’s birthday and the PIF tribute to him.
I am so very sorry for all that your lovely friend/neighbor has and is going through. your acts of kindness with the visits you make, the beautifui flowers and cards you deliver, the time you spend with her to brighten her day is such a profound and meaningful example of the PIF commitment. what you give, your compassion, your love, your caring and concern for her is so inspiring, so generous, so loving…and that’s what life is all about – LOVE.
there are reasons I do not have a blog, and instead choose to be a commenter. I do not what to hijack your site to tell you my story; but if you ever want to or feel like sending me an e-mail, I would be happy to share with you. but please know that I understand that your are busy maintaining your full life as well as an outstanding blog.
this virtual world is amazing; I feel so blessed to have found you, and I hope you won’t mind if I call you my dear friend. I am sending out many gentle and warm hugs for comfort and peacefulness to your friend…and to you…
with much love,
Karen XOXOX
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Yvonne, that is so nice! And I see what Karen wrote and it is so nice! I’m so proud to be part of this community. Love to you all! xoxoxox. -Elizabeth
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Thank you, Elizabeth. I value and appreciate the people who write the blogs I follow. Though Karen is not a blogger, I anxiously await any comments that she writes on my blog. I so admire her.
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You are doing great acts of kindness, this will put a smile on a lot of people.
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you, Hubby.
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Great job Yvonne. Thank you for sharing your Act of Kindness
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Thank you. I appreciate the information you share in your posts. Grateful for finding your blog.
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Your words are such a beautiful gift to your friend…….. I remember the Easter morning tears that Jeff Alexander from Leap of Faith had when he woke up and found I had written a tribute to him the night before. These blogs are such a powerful and healing tool for the world…. and a wonderful community for us!
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I appreciate and value the writers of the blogs that I follow. In less than two years, through blogging, my world has expanded beyond belief, virtually visited other countries, gained insight into different cultures, listened to new music, read new books, tried new recipes, and the lists goes on. But, most of all, I have gained online friends who have made a difference in my life — this includes YOU. Thank you for your comments.
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