Random Acts of Kindness During Holiday Season

Approaching the holiday season, I’d like to share a personal story of gift giving; a story that does not include decadent Harry and David fruit baskets; bottles of Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012; or “D” color diamond stud earrings.

Instead, I want to focus on another kind of gift -  the gift of kindness, respect, and friendship.   Through just a few small acts of kindness, we all have the opportunity to give and receive the kindest gift of all – the gift of true friendship.

I grew up in Glendale, a small sleepy suburb of Los Angeles.  Upon graduating from high school, I couldn’t wait to get out and explore the world, which is exactly what I did.  I have, since then, traveled throughout the world extensively.

One particular story I’ll share starts with a simple trip I took to Hawaii some 20 years ago. On my flight to Maui, by happenstance I sat in the row behind a lovely couple heading to Hawaii on their honeymoon. Her name was Kristy, and his was Keith.  Kristy and Keith met in the Bay Area, but the wedding was held in Kristy’s hometown, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.  As we got to know each other on the airplane, Kristy told me that her maid of honor just earned a promotion and was moving from Washington DC to Los Angeles the following month.  (For those who know me, you won’t be surprised to learn that I soon started to ask a lot of questions…occupational hazard, as a lawyer I get paid to ask probing questions).

I asked, What is her name?
Kristy said, ‘Beth.’

What is she like?
‘Very down to earth, neither an introvert nor an extrovert, and she loves cats.’

Has she spent any time in Los Angeles?
‘Very little.’

Does she have any friends in L.A.?
‘No.’

That last answer made my face fall because it resurfaced some of my own experience returning “home” for my first job out of law school.  As many of  you are likely to appreciate, making new friends in Los Angeles hadn’t been as easy as I thought it would be.  I shared my own experiences with Kristy; exchanged phone numbers; and after landing each of us went our own ways.

I called Kristy about a week later and told her that I had a revelation: I was going to throw Beth a “Welcome to Los Angeles Party”!

The party theme I planned would be “Meet a Friend- Bring a Friend (MAF-BAF).”

I invited a number of my friends to come to the ‘MAF-BAF’ party to be held at Nic’s Martini Bar in Beverly Hills. I planned the event to be a drop in on a weekday after work.

The ‘price of admission’ to the Party would be that each of my invited friends would have to bring one of their friends.  I made Beth my own “Bring a Friend.”

This “Welcome to Los Angeles Party” was an absolute success!  About 40 people showed up and we all had a wonderful time, and especially Beth!

Today, Beth still lives and works in Los Angeles and at her party I met one of my best friends, Gabrielle.  One of the friends I invited to Beth’s party brought Gabrielle as his “bring a friend” that night; Gabrielle and I remain close friends to this very day.

During this season of gift giving, please consider that some of the best gifts to be given are not always material. Simply sharing nice times with friends, both old and new, can be the best gift of all.

Happy Holidays, friends!        

#HappyHolidays #friendship