Climbing with Kindness
Submitted by Juli DosadFran did something for both Jess and me that I will never forget. In 2008, we climbed Kilimanjaro as part of a charity challenge. Jess and I had low spirits on summit night as we hadn't spoken to our families for almost 10 days. The night was a big one on our journey; it's not a walk in the park and brings with it real challenges. Just before we were to leave to start the long, cold climb, Fran offered Jess and I her phone. She had very little battery life left, but gave no thought to contacting her own loved ones. We were able to call our families to lift our spirits, giving us the strength and self-belief for the challenge ahead.
That moment changed the way that I think about things and now I do my very best to make sure that I live in kindness with others. Although it is a small thing, every time I go into London I make or buy a sandwich before I go and give it to someone living on the streets. It's not much to some, but to some it is indeed much. It takes very little to show kindness, as Fran taught me.
Pictured: Jess and Fran