Writing a post about a nominee of the Yellow Envelope Project, so clearly deserving, is a little like taking an exam when you are 100% prepared.  Easy.

That's the way I feel about today's recipient - a woman who shines in not one corner, but in many areas of her life.  Take a look at what her nominator had to say:

"Kerstin is an Army wife who volunteers her time as treasurer of the Family Readiness Group as well as going out of her way each and every day to help anyone else in need. Need an errand run? Kerstin will help out. Need someone to watch your child so you can go to an appointment? Kerstin will help out. Need a meal? You get the idea. What makes all those things that Kerstin does even more impressive is that Kerstin is also the mom of a beautiful little girl who has a congenital heart defect. In addition to taking care of her daughter and all of her health realated issues, (whether her husband is home or deployed for a year) Kerstin does an incredible amount of fund raising for Hope for Tiny Hearts which is an organization that helps fund research for congenital heart defects. Kerstin also constantly helps raise money and awareness for local families in need due to hardships related to travel and other expenses that arise from having a child in need of specialists and surgery related to heart issues. Kerstin shines on a daily basis and helps make life better for so many. She is most deserving of a mailbox full of "make me smile" yellow envelopes!"

The Yellow Envelope Project lives to recognize people like Kerstin - everyday citizens who, because of their contributions, make the world a better, brighter place.  Let us review: patriot, wife, community volunteer, friend, mother, advocate for sick children, and fundraiser.  And those are the contributions we know about!

We live to recognize people like Kerstin, because we know that any ONE of those roles would be exhausting - never mind all of them... simultaneously!  We can admire her passion and stamina.  We can be amazed by it.  We can even come to count on it.  What we cannot afford to do is take it for granted.

We depend on the contributions made by the Kerstin's of the world and I, in turn, depend on the contributions made by YOU.

Write an anonymous letter of gratitude.  Pick any one of the seven hats Kerstin wears and write her a short note thanking her for the role she plays in her corner of the world.  That's it.  A simple thank you from another human being who knows what if feels like to give and give and then give some more.  Seal it in a yellow envelope and place the words "Yellow Envelope Project" in the top left hand corner.  Send it to the address listed below, sometime before next Saturday when we recognize another worthy recipient.

Why?

Because today I got two notes from friends of Yellow Envelope recipients.  Each had a friend whose mailbox was flooded with anonymous letters of gratitude and both wanted me to know what an impact it had on their respective friends.  It seems both recipients shared their letters with loved ones and both saved the letters they received - one in a shoe box and the other posted around her office.

Why else?

Because all it takes is ten minutes and $0.44.

Still need a reason?

Because tomorrow ends World Kindness Week and it's a great way to do your part.

Shining off until Monday.