Chain Reaction on Madison Avenue

One of the things that pops into my mind when I think of a chain reaction is a line-up of dominoes that all fall in sequence when the first is knocked over. It has been said that a little kindness can start a chain reaction and that we should start our own chain reactions. For purposes of this post, let me offer this thought provoking definition, “In a chain reaction, positive feedback leads to a self-amplifying chain of events.”. I believe this story fits the profile. See if you agree as you read the following.

Those of you who know me understand that I fancy myself as a community builder so I suggest that you might also consider this thought as you read. “Community is about a series of small choices and everyday actions.” - Jenny Anderson.

This particular chain reaction, while dating back 13 years to 2008, was only recently relayed to me. It struck me so profoundly that I thought it worth sharing. There are two main characters, both long standing friends of mine and of each other. One is lady who is now in her 9^th decade. I know her well. I know her character. I know her strong faith. She likes to be called Merry Sonshine. This is not a misspelling but a tribute to her faith. I recently asked her how she first came by this name. She replied that her mother, whom I also knew as strong women of phenomenal character and faith, used to sing the children’s song, “Good Morning, Merry Sunshine” to her nearly every day of her life when she was a young girl. I didn’t know this song, but a quick search of YouTube produced many renditions.

The second character, a teacher, spent nearly his entire adult career as an outstanding Milton educator. He is a true professional and also a man of strong faith and integrity.

So let’s begin. One of the traditions of Milton grade schools was the 2^nd grade annual visit to the Milton House. Students attending East and West would walk to the destination. This was a pretty good trek for the West kids but provided a great outing. In May 2008, the appointed day for the outing turned out to be gray and overcast. No rain was predicted so the trip went on as planned. The route from Milton West heading east on Madison Ave would take this 2^nd grade class directly past Merry Sonshine’s house where she would often sit on a platform swing under her beautiful spreading maple tree. As this troupe approached Merry’s house, the teacher noticed Merry sitting in her swing. Many of us might have walked by without even acknowledging this person on her swing let alone make a friendly gesture toward her. Even though he was on the opposite side of the street and marshaling an entire class of 2^nd graders, over the bustle of the busy avenue traffic, our teacher shouted out, “I knew I’d see Sunshine today!”.

Not only did our teacher know he'd see Sunshine that day, he also understood and accepted this tenant, “The charge for all of us is to defy the forgettable flatness of everyday work and life by creating a few precious moments.” - The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. With his greeting, he not only provided a great example for his 2^nd graders but, with his innate kindness, also started his own chain reaction – positive feedback leading to a self-amplifying chain of events.

Here is how his chain reaction played out. A few days later, he received this poem, penned by Merry Sonshine, in his snail mail. It so captures her joy, her pleasure at being greeted by a group of kids and their teacher passing by her house on their way to the Milton House. An ordinary, gray, overcast May day became something special, the “stuff” of community, because our teacher choose to create a few precious moments. Here is Merry Sonshine's poem, “May Day Joy”, her heartfelt, emotional response to a simple greeting from across a busy street. If it doesn't warm the cockles of your heart, then your wood is wet.

MAY DAY JOY

On this – the first day of May, the clouds were having their way.

'Twas dreary and sad and I felt so bad,

So, I sat in the swing to sway!

In the distance, I suddenly heard the songs of so many birds!

The music restored, and my spirit soared,

And “joyness” within me was stirred.

An then, even more voices came. T' were happy but not quite the same!

They walked down the street; their smiles were sweet,

(School children – too many to name)!

The teacher headed the pack, the helper worked at the back!

And child followed child – their excitement was wild!

So many were like “jumping jacks”!

Their fists pumped into the air. The big trucks passed them there.

Their horns bellowed out, the kids gave a shout!

(The sight to my eyes was rare)!

The teacher smiled my way. The wave of his hand, he displayed!

He then shouted out with a great joyful shout:

“I KNEW I'd see Sunshine today”!

Written by Merry Sonshine

2008

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow man, and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and then come back as effects.” - Herman Melville. A small choice by one 2^nd grade teacher that day 13 years ago, started a chain reaction that resonates to this day. Our teacher keeps his poem in his Bible, not a bad filing choice by any means. When he needs sustenance, affirmation, and respite from the onslaughts of the day to day, he turns to this book where he finds spiritual nourishment and, triggered by his greeting back in 2008, Merry's 'joyness', fills his soul again and again.

Thank you, Merry Sonshine, for your poem and your blessing and thank you, teacher Mike, for your strong positive influence in this Milton community that so many of us love so much. You inspire me to ask, “What chain reaction can I initiate today?”

#cruzan4milton#WEAREMILTON

Hope Springs Eternal

 Last Saturday, February 27, turned out to be a real shot in the arm for Miltonites. The brightly shining sun elevated the temps into the 40’s, causing snow piles to shrink and melt water to run actively in the gutters. Many ventured outside to enjoy this welcome respite from the deep freeze. With errands to complete, I chose to enjoy the fine day and walk rather than drive. Other walkers, runners, and even a cyclist or two had the same idea. I realized quickly that I was dressed far too warmly as I was working up a good sweat.

While it was super to see the tall snow piles shrinking, it wasn’t so great to see all the detritus left behind. Cans, bottles, wrappers, you name it, littered the sidewalks and curbs where the melting snow left this “stuff” exposed. Not very attractive and, certainly, a less-than-positive image for people checking out our city. One could ask, “Where does this junk come from?”. Some would answer that the snowplows and shoveling create this eyesore, but I think we all know that human negligence and non-caring are the true culprits.

I detest litter so I nearly always carry plastic grocery bags (these things breed in my storage area) when out walking so I have something to put the stuff in as I pick it up. I am not reporting this to blow my own horn. Picking up litter makes me feel good, so it is really a very selfish thing for me to do.

I do find people’s reactions to me picking up litter interesting to say the least. On odd occasions, I have been thanked. I have been looked at as if I’m a bit off (probably true). Some have remarked that I was on to something that they had never considered and, maybe, they would carry a bag or two with them when they walked. I hope they do. A very common comment goes something like this, “Why would you do that? Don’t we have ‘people’ for that?” My usual response to this is, “This is my sidewalk, my city, and this is something I can do to make it better.”

So, last Saturday, I am walking on Madison Ave. thoroughly enjoying the fine weather. I had accumulated a very full bag and was starting on my second. I had stepped into the curb area to pick up some bottles at the edge of the street when I saw a biker heading toward me on the sidewalk. He looked to be junior high age. As he rode past me, he called out, “Thank you, sir, for doing that.” I about fell over. While I will not cast middle school students as impolite, I would also find it a rarity that one would initiate a compliment to an adult (aging baby boomer to boot) they were passing in the street. Hope does spring eternal and I was heartened. For a moment, all was right with the world. Just after he went by, we simultaneously recognized each other. I called out,” Hey, Troy, is that you?” while he said something like, "Hey, are you Gus' grandpa?” We wished each other well and then went on, he to the east and me to the west.

Readers of this blog may recognize the name, Troy, as he has appeared in Cruz’ n’ for Kindness before. He’s a 7^th grade Rising Red Hawk who clearly knows how to go beyond himself and reach out to others. I have to say, that in less than 30 seconds, he made my day. It was spontaneous, it appeared effortless, it was genuine. Oh, what we all could learn from this lad. Thank you, Troy, and, once again, a nod to your parents, Jeff & Rhonda Ann. Opportunity, Achievement, & Community are clearly within reach for all of us.

#WEAREMILTON

#cruzan4milton

A Stimulus for Kindness

 Have you ever experienced an act of human behavior that was so incredibly positive that it took your breath away? Something up close and personal and, oh, so fine? I expect that you have at some point in your life. Just last week I had this experience. It continues to “warm my innards” as it were but I’m getting ahead of myself.

I am a 50 + year member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. That’s the one across the avenue from North Goodrich Park. We are a Bible believing group and, as many of you know, Jesus commanded that we love one another. A couple of years ago, we felt led to create more of a “neighborhood sense” on the east side of town. We asked ourselves, “Why not adopt, partner with, connect up with Milton East School and show our love to those kids and staff members?” We discussed this with Principal, Jen Cramer, (by the way, she’s a rock star but that’s another story). She liked the idea, so together, we worked out how to proceed. That was the birth of our East Side Story.

The activities of East Side Story have been a blessing to our church body and a blessing to the children and staff at Milton East. A win-win as it were. It has made we church members more aware, more sensitive, more loving to our close neighbor, the East kids and staff members.

So, let me return to my story. Several days ago, I was approached by a couple who asked to remain anonymous. They had received their stimulus check and felt moved to return a portion of that money to a need in our community. They strongly suspected there were local families who needed those funds far more than they did themselves and could I arrange a donation from them through our East Side Story to help Milton East needy families. Did you have to stop and catch your breath? I did again as I was writing this.

I called Jen Cramer to get her thoughts. She was overwhelmed as I had been and replied that, yes there were families who definitely could use financial help. She and her student services team sorted that end of the equation and six families were provided with $100 each in local gift cards. All I can say is WOW!

Stimulus checks can be a hot political topic. We all have different needs and financial resources. I wonder how many of us thought about giving some of ours away to those more in need than we ourselves? What a great idea and one that you might want to consider yourself. This generous act from this anonymous donor was clearly a true stimulus supporting lives, creating neighborhood, and building community. Thank you for your love and for showing us the way.

1. Milton – What A Great Community!

#cruzan4milton#WEAREMILTON