Sweet ReciPEAs

Evil Treats from a Nice Person

Treats and bonus recipes right to your inbox every Wednesday.

Hello 40…the birthday project…

A few months ago I found something called The Birthday Project.
A woman Robyn Bomar decided that when she turned 38 she would spend her birthday doing 38 random acts of kindness.
I was impressed with this idea.
Forty is a big one…or so everyone keeps telling me. 🙂
I thought about doing 40 random acts of kindness on my 40th birthday and then came to the very large conclusion that I am far too lazy to do that.
So I figured that I would do 40 random acts of kindness this year.
I hope to continue this each year as I get older, adding one extra act a year. Seems doable. Hope it is.

Today I turned 40.
I got up with a little dog breath in my face and I knew it would be a good day.
A quick trip to the gym as I have this weird thing about exercising my heart each birthday as a “gee thanks for still working heart” kind of thing.
Then I had my breakfast donut (pink with Sprinkles) and got off and running (okay…not actually running).

I already did my big birthday thing on Saturday.
My hockey peeps were kind enough to throw me the ultimate birthday party for me…a mini hockey tournament…in my honor.
Not a lot of people get to say that. To say it was fun is an understatement.
As I am sure you can tell from the photo (MDP went as Underdog and I was just dressed as Birthday Girl…there was a “Superhero” theme…superhero being loosely interpret).
Nonetheless, since I already did the celebrating and my birthday is on the ever so exciting Monday I decided I should start on my Birthday Project.

I drove about 15 minutes south of me to find a less than great neighborhood and went to the Safeway there.
I kind of stalked people trying to figure out who I was going to help.
And then there she was. A woman who looked a little haggard and had five children tugging on her, saying “mom” about 50 times, and circling her as she pushed her cart down the way.
I got in behind her at the check-out lane. She was buying the staples: bread, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, cereal.
The kids were trying to convince her to let them have candy and she said no. She knew the cashier and they were talking and saying that she had just got off working the night shift.
She went to pay using her EBT card (food stamps).
I told the cashier “I got this, I will pay for her groceries”.
Both the cashier and the woman looked at me and said almost in unison “are you serious?”
And I said yes.
I whispered to the mom that if it was okay with her each kid could pick out their own candy bar if they liked.
She smiled.
The kids picked out their candy bar and I got a whole lot of thank yous and quite a few hugs.
It was only $63. Which I don’t mean only because I’ve been poor enough to know that $63 can be a whole bunch.
But I mean only in the fact that the outcome was sure greater than the income put towards it.
The woman asked me why I was doing it?
I told her it was my 40th birthday.
She said “aren’t people supposed to give you stuff on your birthday?” and I told her that she just did.
She didn’t get it. I didn’t need her to.

I still have a full day ahead of me but so far it’s off to one heck of a birthday start. So hello 40…I welcome you with open arms!

Stay updated!

My culinary concoctions and bonus recipes every Wednesday to your inbox.
Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.

Comments

  1. dang it Peabody, you made me cry.

    not only because this is such a mighty gesture, but because yes, I know you know that value. so do I.

    what a PERFECT way to begin your 40th year – hope it is your best yet!

    Reply

  5. Truly Peabody, this is the best gift to give to yourself!!! It is immeasurable and heart rewarding! May all of the blessings you give out there be returned to you in Heart snap shot moments such as these!! Sending love xoxoxoxo Happy Happy Birthday…

    Reply

  6. You made me cry too! Happy Birthday, Peabody and keep on doing what you do. Don’t forget; every time you post a yummy on your blog it’s also a random act of kindness for your readers… 🙂

    Reply

  8. I want to try this. My birthday was back in May, but I still have a whole ten months to do random acts of kindness. I don’t think I’ll limit it to my age, though. 🙂

    Reply

  13. Wow…what a fantastic gift, both for you and that family. I’m sure it will be a birthday both of you will remember for a long time.

    Reply

  14. It’s not my birthday, but that was so inspiring I’m going to try to do something nice every week for someone. Thanks Peabody, and happy birthday!!!

    Reply

  15. “P”

    I guess I did a lot better job of raising you than I realized.

    But, your act of kindness does not surprise your mom and I.

    Love, and Happy Birthday.

    Dad & Mom

    Reply

  16. Happy Birthday, Peabody!!

    Don’t know if I’ll make 68 random acts of kindness but I will try.

    Reply

  17. What a fantastic idea. I’ve seen plenty of lists where you try to do things for yourself in that year–I did my “30 by 30”–but the giving to others is tremendous. Hope you enjoy the rest of your celebrating!

    Reply

  18. Happy Birthday, Peabody! Thanks for the inspiration – I turn 50 on August 2. However, I am scheduled for Jury Duty. Could be a great place for a random act…I’ll let you know.

    Reply

  19. Happy Birthday Pea. And thank you. I can only imagine what your gesture meant to that woman and her children.

    Reply

  20. That is totally awesome.

    Happy Birthday! (the same as my late father, so I will now remember your birthday each year!)

    Reply

  21. What a lovely idea and a wonderful act of kindness. That kind of kindness is very contagious. I guess you’ve started the Peabody Virus!
    Happy birthday, girlie! I am glad you got such a tickle from something so lovely. You are my kind of gal.

    Reply

  22. You are an amazing person Peabody!

    I think I will also implement this project for my 30th later this month.

    Happy Birthday to you!

    Reply

  24. Happy Birthday. Your kind and generous gift will be forever remembered by that family and that poor woman struggling with five kids and a night shift has something to cherish and smile about. My parents do this type of thing as their random act as well and the benefit in goodness will come back to you Birthday Peabody! Have a great day.

    Reply

  31. it brought tears to my eyes. a gift for her, a gift for you and for me. kuddos to you for doing this. happy 40th.

    Reply

  33. For days now I’ve been watching your birthday coming up … you take my breath away! That is really an Awesome Happy Birthday!
    Happy Birthday to you.

    Reply

  34. Happy birthday. What a gift for that family. I know the children will remember your kindness for years. BTW- you look young and happy in the picture. I wish you many years of happy baking.

    Reply

  40. Dang…another water-running-down-my-face moment here, too. Yep, you definitely rock…..and I’m thinking you’re going to inspire a few of us to pay more attention ‘out there’ for opportunities to pay-it-forward this week. GREAT IDEA!!

    I raise my “glass” and say, “Here’s to 40 more!!!”

    Reply

  41. More tears here. Seriously?! What you did for that woman is worth far more than $63 any day. Your kindness makes me want to pay it forward as well. Thanks for the renewed faith.

    Reply

  42. A most Happy 40th birthday to you and I admire your first act of kindness. It made my heart smile.

    Reply

  44. This is awesome – what a great idea and I know you made that mom’s day. Happy Birthday Pea! I look forward to your other RAOKs

    Reply

  45. i just stumbled upon your blog today when i was searching for recipes (i found some great ones by the way) and i read this post. truly a wonderful thing to hear. happy birthday!

    Reply

  46. First–happy birthday! Here’s to another 40 🙂

    I love this idea of acts of kindness. I’ve been in such a funk and it seems like one bad thing after another is striking me or those I love. Maybe if I focus on helping others it’ll help me realize just how lucky I am. I think you should count this post as one random act–you just helped me, a stranger from NC, and gave me some hope.

    Reply

  51. Happy Birthday. As someone who’s been through hard times and depended on food stamps, your random act of kindness must have meant the world to her. I’m a bit ashamed that I had a “poor me” birthday moment when I didn’t ge the perfect gift. I wish I had thought of giving myself a gift of helping others. Maybe next year I’ll do better.

    Reply

  53. I read your blog all the time, but have never commented until today because 1. your story brought tears to my eyes and 2. wishing you a Happy Happy Birthday!! seems to warrant a comment.
    Have the best day and congratulations on your Birthday Project! That’s amazing. 🙂

    Reply

  54. I was just about to email you to let you know that I got the dog Pack and my poodle says THANK YOU (sorry for the caps but he was really excited)
    If you don’t mind – id like to join you on your fabulous 40

    Reply

  58. Happy belated Peabody. That’s such a wonderful idea and a wonderful story. You’re awesome.

    And here’s a tip that I use for my own birthdays. No matter what day of the week your birthday falls on don’t let anyone celebrate it until the following Friday :). I call it my “Officially Unofficial Birthday.” It drives everyone crazy :).

    Reply

  60. Happy belated birthday! And like so many of the other commenters, I would like to steal this idea. Such a lovely way of counting the blessings that pile up with each passing year. 🙂
    Love that you started the day with a quick workout and a doughnut with sprinkles. 🙂

    Reply

  62. Weepy! So weepy! That was fantastic! I’m turning 40 later this year and I am inspired! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  64. That is awesome and so are you! I wanted to be part of the birthday project too- but time & money didn’t allow it this year. (And I must admit- probably a bit of laziness too! LOL)

    I love your idea of spreading it out throughout the year. I think you’ve gave me an idea for next year! Thanks!

    BTW- Good luck & have fun with the remaining 39- I hope you share those on your blog as well b/c I’m looking forward to reading them!

    Reply

  65. I came here for a cherry recipe not tears! 😉 Love this Peabody, what a beautiful gesture and gift that you gave. Enjoy your year 🙂

    Reply

  66. I shed a tear at this post, and your kindness! That’s inspirational, and shows how doing something so small for each of us means the world to somebody else.

    Reply

  67. What a wonderful idea! My birthday is tomorrow…I will have to do the same! Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply

  68. Someone in my hometown did this on their 30th birthday. She rented a van and all her friends went around with her while they did 30 nice things for people. Really great idea. Proud of you for doing this and yes, the reward is so much greater than the income spent.

    Reply

  70. Wow, you just brought tears to my eyes. Good for you for just doing that. I am about to celebrate my 27th birthday and will not probabl make it to complete 27 acts of kindness, but I am certainly going to do my best with what I can accomplish. This idea is so great and I hope more people jump on board.

    Reply

  72. What a wonderful idea! I just checked in on your blog after a little while and I just wanted to say congrats/best of luck with the move, and also the peanut butter s’mores bars and butterscotch swirl cake things look Uh-mazing!

    Reply

  73. I was away on vacay and am catching up on your posts. Happy 40th…it’s not so bad here in the 40s! I enjoyed this post so much…such a nice thing you did!!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *