Collin’s Seven Acts of Kindness

My daughter, love has brought Me here, and love keeps Me here. My daughter, if you knew what great merit and reward is earned by one act of pure love for Me, you would die of joy. I am saying this that you may constantly unite yourself with Me through love, for this is the goal of the life of your soul. This act is an act of the will. Know that a pure soul is humble. When you lower and empty yourself before My majesty, I then pursue you with My graces and make use of My omnipotence to exalt you."

— St. Maria Faustina Kowalska,

These Seven Acts of Kindness began as a simple listing by close family friends of the acts of kindness Collin showed to the world. Since Collin's number was and will always be 7, we decided to list these as, "Collin's Seven Acts of Kindness". It is our prayerful wish that folks will read these to get a better understanding of this 8 year old boy who touched so many lives so deeply. It is also our prayerful wish that those who read these will share and practice any or all and have a positive impact on their own souls and those around them. Too much negativity in this world, the kindness Collin shared with the world is much needed.

"See the world from your eye level UP"

Collin was described as a unique eight year old who would see the world from his eye level up where most his age tend to see the world from their eye level down.

Today, let's slow the pace down a bit and as we go about our busy daily lives, take a deep breathe, relax and let's all see the world from our eye level up. See the people who may need a friend and sit with them on a buddy bench. See those struggling with a task or challenge in which you may be able to assist and be sure to do so. See the people in our lives and try to understand why they are in our lives, nothing happens by chance, we are all guided to each other for reasons outside our understanding. See all of this and understand but by the Grace of God, we could be without.

"How are you doing?"

Collin would stop and say hello and really want to know how your day was going.

Today, stop just one person and ask them how their day is going. Use your full body listening and in your heart, without expectation of reward or validation, just listen and at the end, offer a kind word of support.

"Be Nice..."

It was said, "Collin was the only one who was nice to me".

Today, BE that one person who is nice to someone who seems to be alone in the world for no one is above the other. Our souls are exalted with kindness and become a guiding light of true character to everyone around us.

"Patriotism"

Collin was a very patriotic young man. Collin would remind his father to remove his cap or put his hand over his heart as we drove by a flag. Collin would also run up and down the front lawn waiving the 4'x6' house flag back and forth to the honks of those that drove by. The fondest memory of Collin's patriotism was during the annual Labor Day Parade. Imagine the heart of a father to look up and see his son standing alone in the road saluting the stopped WWII veteran sitting in a WWII jeep. The WWII veteran pointing Collin out to his driver and saluting back.

Today, let's all pause a moment the next time you see the "Stars & Stripes" and try to grasp the sacrifice of all, especially those who lost their lives for the very freedom we all enjoy today.

"...but that was yesterday."

Collin was greeted by the Principal of Sandy Hook Elementary school in the hallway one day. Collin always walked his kid sister to her kindergarten class, hung up her coat, help put her backpack away & made her selection for buying lunch or brought from home. I am sure this afforded Collin the opportunity to "chat" and most likely be late to his classroom. One day, the Principal caught Collin in the hallway and relayed to Collin that this was unacceptable and that he needed to get to class. Knowing Collin he probably just said okay and scurried to his classroom. The very next day, Collin was caught again by the Principal who now, most likely a bit more annoyed said to Collin, something along the lines of, "I thought I told you that this was unacceptable!" To which Collin replied, "But that was yesterday". In his innocence and ability to seemingly not let anything dwell, Collin had started a "new day".

Today, let us all forget about the sins of the past, forget about any mistakes for which you dwell, leave behind your perceived bad decisions, the roads you think you should have taken instead of the road for which you travel. "BUT THAT WAS YESTERDAY", they are gone, there is NOTHING you can do about it. The ONLY thing we can do is live for TODAY. TODAY, Just like Collin, start anew. Today is a new day and the only thing that matters is your trust in God to guide you in the decisions you make this very DAY.

"Mayor of Sandy Hook Elementary School"

It was said of Collin, "In School, Collin made everyone he encountered feel special. He cared so very deeply about everyone around him and made sure they knew it. He never walked by any of us without extending an adult salutation or checking on how our day was going. Collin had an uncanny ability to visit the entire building in one short day." It was noted that Collin was the Mayor of Sandy Hook School.

Today, work to be known as that person who seemingly knows everybody. Be sure to smile and just say "hello" as you pass others no matter the look on their face, their body language that may seemingly be uninviting or a non-response. None of us will know what that person may be going through this day. They may have just received bad news, they may have lost a loved one. We never understand the power of a smile to those who may be hurting. Fight ALWAYS to NEVER give in to negativity, defeatism, or anger. Collin never did, his SMILE was contagious.

(and finally...) "Help YOURSELF by helping Others"

Collin's pediatrician said, "Collin helped himself by helping others".

Today, help yourself by understanding that the true gifts in life are when we give of ourselves in quiet humility. By performing any of these acts of kindness, you are giving of yourself. Your soul will rejoice and become a beacon of light to a world in desperate need of hope. So help yourself by helping others...

"We have often asked how we can be a part of and grow the Kingdom of God – my friends the answer is simple. Follow Collin’s lead. He knew. He did it right." —Father Reggie Norman

God Bless.