If there was one thing that Emilie Parker taught us during brief time on earth is to be kind. As her father said, “My daughter Emilie would be one of the first ones to be standing and giving support to all the victims because that’s the kind of kid she is.”

Here are some my favorite ways to share kindness…
Think of others before yourself even when the days are hard. Give back to your churches and communities whenever you are able. Volunteer. Hug. Encourage. Strengthen others faith in themselves. Strengthen your own faith in others. And yourself. Love unconditionally. Compliment your kids, parents and even your spouse. Call your mom. Listen more than you speak. Never Say Never. Keep an open mind and more importantly and open heart.

We hope that as myself and fellow bloggers wrap up our #27ActsofKindness campaign, inspires you to share kindness with others each day.

When your own time comes, how will you want to be remembered?

Emilie Parker, 6

“My daughter Emilie would be one of the first ones to be standing and giving support to all the victims because that’s the kind of kid she is,” said father Robbie Parker in a statement. He added that she was an artist, always carrying around her pencils and markers to draw pictures or make cards for people.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2JnrWMAxZ

This month everyone thinks alot about love. They think about it in alot of different ways. There are the cute Valentine’s. They think about it in regards to chocolate, their significant other, spouse, etc.

But how often do you think of love as a form of kindness? Isn’t that what love is at its core? Therefore, when you do something nice for someone, whether a stranger or friend, essentially you are showing kindness and love. Dylan’s grandmother said, “To know him was to love him”. Is that something people say about you? When you show love and kindness to others it is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Find a way to show kindness to everyone you meet. You never know where people come from, what kind of day they had or the silent battles they may be fighting. The small token of thoughtfulness that you show them could be the best part of their day, week, maybe even month.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2J9XBBmPm

My little girl has a birthday on Valentine’s Day. I feel bad for her – every year on her birthday flowers will be overpriced and restaurants overcrowded.

But it could be worse. Having a birthday around Christmas can’t be much fun either. It didn’t seem to bother Josephine though. This spunky little girl with a great sense of humor turned 7, just 3 days before her death.

Birthdays no matter when they are, are important.

Thanks to Facebook, remembering birthdays is now idiot-proof. So make sure to tell friends and family happy birthday, every once in a while, go out of your way to make sure they have a birthday to remember.

Take the day off from work if you can to celebrate your own big day.

After all, we never know how just how many birthdays we might get.

Josephine Gay, 7

Josephine Gay had celebrated her seventh birthday just three days before the massacre. She loved the color purple, and to honor her memory, residents in a new subdivision near Sandy Hook Elementary School hung purple balloons on mailboxes and gates, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2J9XBBmPm

Jesse Lewis, was in the class of Victoria Soto. She attempted to save her students, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to save Jesse. This young man was so excited about the holidays and was looking forward to spending it with his family. Family was very important Jesse. His dedication to his family is a reminder to others to spend more time with family. You never know what may happen. As you move forward in the incoming year make time for family. It doesn’t have to be anything much. Maybe just having a cup of coffee with your mom/grandmother/aunt, reading a story to your kids, watching a movie or catching up on the DVR with your significant other. The most valuable thing you can ever give is your time, as we never know how much we are going to get.

Jesse Lewis, 6

Jesse Lewis was one of the 6-year-olds in Victoria Soto’s class who didn’t survive, despite her efforts to protect her students. He was described as an energetic boy who, like many of his classmates, was looking forward to the upcoming holidays. He was particularly excited to go to school on Friday, because they had plans to make gingerbread houses. His father Neil Heslin told the New York Post that he loved math and horseback riding

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2J9XBBmPm

Caroline Previdi was a silly 6 year old, with bigger spirit of giving than most adults. She loved to laugh and she loved to help others. A year before the tragedy she was working to use some of her piggy bank money to buy gifts for kids who were less fortunate.

It doesn’t take more than the heart of a five year-old to know that it is good to help others in need. Most of you who are reading this don’t need near the amount of stuff that you have been blessed with. Throughout the upcoming year, I challenge you to think of Caroline and find your “five-year old heart” by looking for ways that you can help the less fortunate. There is a need for resorces throughout the year and some of the greatest deficits actually come in the summer. When we tend to forget the giving spirits that we had just 6 months prior.

Take the time to look around. See how you can give your resources, whether it be time, money, intellect or encouragement, to your neighbors and community. By these acts of kindness, you can help the young spirit of Caroline Previdi live on.

More About Caroline:
Six-year-old Caroline Previdi loved to share smiles and laughter with friends and family — a trait that earned her the nickname “Silly Caroline,” the Wall Street Journal reports. A year ago, she was breaking open her piggy bank to put her money toward buying gifts for less fortunate children, according to People. Caroline’s older brother also attended Sandy Hook, but he safely escaped the rampage. Her grandfather described her as a “bouncy kid” who enjoyed drawing and playing soccer.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2IxW5lwfl

I love the name Avielle. Had I ran across it before my daughter was born last February she might be an Avielle instead of an Avelyn – lol.

Avielle Richman’s life was documented long before the news coverage Newtown. Her parents ran a blog called Avielle’s Adventures. During the early stages of grief, the blog may be more painful reminder to them, than of comfort, but, as time moves forward, it will likely be one of their biggest supports for healing.

It has inspired me as a mom to take more time to focus on what is really important to me. My children. So often baby books get left unfullfilled and those little things you think that you remember forever, you often forget.

So as an Act of Kindness to your children and yourself. Take the time to write things down. Write the names of co-workers, teachers, coaches, neighbors, who they were why they were important. Record the milestones of your children, no matter how small or just funny things they do and say. Talk to your parents and grandparents. Ask them details of their family and life.

Sometimes… the most comforting thing when we look towards a scary future is to be able to reflect on the comforts of the past.

More about Avielle….
Six-year-old Avielle Richman had moved to Newtown, Conn., from Southern California a few years ago, LA Weekly reports. Her parents maintained a blog, called Avielle’s Adventures, where they posted about the young girl’s activities and milestones. An Oct. 19 post reads, “Today is Avielle’s sixth birthday. I know that every parent says this, but holy cow I can’t believe how fast time flies!” In June, they posted a picture of Avielle’s kindergarten diploma and began documenting Avielle’s foray into horseback riding.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2IxOimPcT