July 2017 – VIP Love Works

Over the years many people have shared their stories of Love Works with us. Here are just a few to begin:

On Vivienne’s sixth birthday, my friend Gillian volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House to make dinner for the families staying there. She wrote:

Happy Birthday Vivienne!

While doing my act of kindness today, I met a little girl named Vivienne Isabella. Today is her 6th birthday too. I am amazed and so grateful to have met Vivienne Isabella while honoring Vivienne Isabel.

Happy Birthday, girls.

Wow, right?

Gillian tells me her plans this year are to leave quarters in every crank machine they see, pass out ice cream tokens at the park, and buy 6 little girls happy meals.

My sister also had a cool story about her Love Works for Vivienne’s 5th birthday. She went to her favorite coffee shop and paid for five additional coffees in Vivienne’s name. “Brendon, the cafe owner, said that it took over an hour to use up the credit because when people were told why they were getting a free coffee they passed it on as well,” she said. I just love that.

Leanne recently wrote to tell me: “In memory of Vivienne, our random act of kindness was to raise money for the Springville league for the handicapped preschool learning center. I collected money from several ppl to sponsor Joanna in the 5K. God bless your angel baby.”

Last year Joy posted to my timeline: “In honor of Vivienne I start volunteering with Saint Giannas pregnancy center here in the falls tomorrow morning”.

And Love Works can get the whole family involved! A friend, Andrea, wrote that her children have been excited to go out each day and add some love in the world, even coming up with Love Works ideas themselves! Just the other day, they chose to pick out a toy from a store they like and then they were going to hide it on the playground with a tag that says pay it forward.

I am so lucky to be able to hear about these wonderful deeds and stories. I appreciate each and every one! If you would like to share your story here too, please use the contact us form at the bottom of the page. We’d love to hear from you.

Happy Birthday Vivienne!

Every year around Vivienne’s birthday, I have used Facebook to ask friends, family and community to perform acts of kindness in honor of her memory. We feel that this may make Vivienne’s birthday a little more bearable, with the knowledge that much good is being done in her name, and that her spirit continues to touch others as much as it has touched our own lives.

This year, I’m trying something new! I have started this website as a vehicle to encourage and inspire people to do acts of kindness for Vivienne – around her birthday especially, but also any time of year. It has always felt right that she is remembered by good acts, but it’s more than that. It’s about love.

I would ask that you once again consider doing acts of kindness (Love Works) in Vivienne’s name this year. The options to do so are endless – big or small. I guarantee that there is someone on your social media who has been going through a rough time lately, and maybe you know about it, but maybe you don’t. There is someone who needs to hear that they are loved. It is not always possible to know the full impact of acts of love, but I know it always makes a difference in some way. A kind smile to a stranger may change someone’s day. You can give money, or gifts, or time, or praise, or support, or food, or a helping hand, or a listening ear – but above all, give love.

Love Works can be big or small, and they don’t have to cost anything at all (though they can, if that is your choice). Please consider what ways you might be able to give love to one another. We can’t know what demons other people are facing – the rude store clerk might have just lost a family member and is having a bad day, the person who speeds past you inconsiderately might be rushing to a family emergency. If anything, giving others the benefit of the doubt instead of thinking the worst could not only be kind to them, but also affect your mindset in a positive way.

Other Love Works might be to spend extra time chatting to the old lady at the supermarket who strikes up a conversation with you, or helping a mum who is juggling kids and groceries with returning her shopping cart to the store, call that friend who has been going through a rough time and let them know you care, or simply tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Pay the toll for the person behind you, or pay for the next person’s coffee at the drive through. There are so many ways to make a positive impact on the world, please consider doing one or more in Vivienne’s name.

We would love to hear about your acts of kindness, if you would like to share, but do not feel it is necessary. If you would like to submit a story, or photo that we can publish here on the blog to help inspire others to do Love Works, please send us an email.

Love Works Always,

The Pelletreau Family

Month: July 2017

Love Works Stories

Love Works! Acts of Kindness