Little Surprises

When school started last month, I started a "Kindness Tree" at my son's school for the kids and staff alike.  At any time they can take a tag, write something kind on it then hang it on the tree.  I was thinking I would see tags that say things like "You're fun!" or "Have a great day!" and that would have been perfect.  However, the kids were writing things that were so sweet and special that they literally brought tears to my eyes.  This 7 yr. old girl was so excited to show me what she had written before hanging her tag on the tree.  What a wonderful surprise it was to see these words that resonate so much with me and probably everyone who happens across this beautiful little tree.  What a gift.

What little surprises have you come across lately? Do share.  We'd love to see them.

Comments

[Jennifer]

I ran my first race since I was 8 last Saturday. After consuming so much water, the urge hit, so I went in search for a restroom. On the way, I saw this little thing near the door begging to be photographed. I went all the way back to my car, dug out my camera and captured it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardboardsea/5048912448/

It was a lovely little surprise.

[Marcie]

A truly sweet sentiment.
Here's my inspiration - a portrait of the relationship between a dog and its master:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1318

[Melissa M.]

I love this tree project!

[Jamie Solorio]

I think that bond between a father and son is special, and I felt that this image captured this sweet and special moment.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xi4hF64R9YY/TKrNm595h6I/AAAAAAAAAcU/rb7RaAj9Sxk/s1600/8x10+print+vintage.jpg

[Bettina]

This little guy crawled up and surprised me as i was taking the pic...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/4978373891/

And here i was surprised to see how big my 1 month old nephews hand is!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5040534609/

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

What a neat project!

I'd say that I've been surprised by self-discovery in a HUGE way! Read and see HERE: http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2010/09/facing-my-30s-fearlessly.html

~WW

[Kathryn]

What a beautiful idea . . . I'd be an emotional wreck. :0)

[cigi]

What a sweet project. Less emotional but surprising just the same...rain in the the desert:
http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/258365/

[giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper)]

I was surprised by this yesterday and I'm still smiling about it.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/benjamin-wagners-video-has-made-me-forever-young/

[Lacey Bean]

I went on a walk with my husband in our local park, and stumbled across this little note spray painted on the ground

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laceybean/4940174398/in/set-72157624836917770/

[Lauren]

While not tiny per se, it's a little thing that brings me joy - such neat age, wear and tear here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/4259155213/

[Jana]

How sweet! :)
One of my favorite things to watch is how my husband interacts with our baby girl. ♥

http://www.flickr.com/photos/janascreations/4301338801/in/set-72157623123943815/

[Becky Sue]

I LOVE the idea of a kindness tree! Is it in a public school? I'm thinking not. I would be a puddle reading what those sweet children wrote.

[BlessedMess]

What a sweet idea...I'm sure I would bawl on a daily basis if I worked anywhere near that tree :)

Hm, little surprise. Well, this is not so much a great photo, but rather a nice surprise. Well, sorta. It's kinda like a backhanded complement. At first I was like, Oh wow, check me out! But then it kinda made me feel crappy....Allow me to share...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/5020800411/

[Sally]

Shared on Twitter. Probably should've shared HERE...

I don't often travel alone (as in w/o my family). My daughter (12) likes EVERYONE to be tucked in safe at home. So, she is often a little apprehensive when anyone leaves for an extended period of time. Recently, when packing to go away for a weekend, I opened my suitcase to find a sweet drawing from the LAST time I had traveled. I kept it safely in the bottom of my suitcase, and went on my way. When I arrived at my destination, it was to find that my sweet daughter had secretly tucked in ANOTHER little surprise note.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49245139@N04/5055292662/

[Elizabeth Crocker]

It makes me feel like there is hope for the future!

[Jill]

I love your kindness tree. So beautiful. I stole the "Everyone is awesome. Even you can be awesome." for my facebook status update. I think it's going on a wall around here somewhere. I love it.

[melody]

I've commented with much enthusiasm at your blog, but had to say again...

I have chills and smiles galore! Thank you for sharing this ray of beauty and hope.

[blue elephant photography]

For no special reason, Scott sometimes surprises me with little love notes or cards. This one he picked coz it stood out - it has a cute purple elephant in it and it says 'Little one', which describes me apparently coz I am so little. Actually he picked this out at the babies section...regardless it is so cute and such a sweet gesture. ♥

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueelephantphotography/5055753241/

[kristin]

there is such goodness in the world.
thank you for making me smile.

[Audra Van Vliet]

I think this one surprised everyone. Nature of the beast, though. My bad.

http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/unusual-family-portrait.html

[DorkyMum]

Two different messages on two different trees, that I've found around the city in the last couple of weeks. Both were surprises, and both made me smile :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/5018654560/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/5014441422/