During the craziness of 2020, we probably saw more random acts of kindness than we’ve seen in the past twenty years. I’m not saying there were more acts, just that we’ve been made more aware of them thanks to social media. (Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Day website for calendars and other free things.)

In Honor of the Day – The Story

Remember my friends and neighbors from Did You Know Christmas Cookie Tins Can Be Magical? I also make birthday cakes for their family, and each family member gets to choose what flavor of cake they want.

One fall, several years ago, we were discussing flavors when their oldest son—only ten or eleven at the time and whose birthday was still six months away—jumped in to tell me he wanted all three Pound cakes—Butter Golden, Chocolate, and Strawberry—for his birthday.

As you might imagine, his mother was aghast. “You can’t ask for all three!” she scolded.

Then he explained why he’d made the request. It was because everyone in his family liked different flavors, and although it was his birthday, he wanted everyone to get the cake they liked.

In the blink of an eye, his mother’s appalled look melted away, replaced by parental pride. I admit my heart melted, too, hearing his reason, and I immediately began considering how to fulfill his request.

The answer hit me several days later—Mickey Mouse.

The family took Disney cruises every year, so I made Mickey’s face with the birthday boy’s favorite cake flavor and Mickey’s two ears using the other two flavors.

I’ve never claimed to be a professional baker, much less a professional cake decorator. As with anything you do, the job is always easier when you have the proper tools, and I didn’t have them. Still, I think the cake turned out well. It was certainly a big hit with the birthday boy and his family.

The Mickey Cake

Update . . .

A few days ago, the birthday boy celebrated his fourteenth birthday. He and his two brothers are growing up fast, and all are sweet, caring, and kind young men. (Sorry, guys, I know that’s probably not the way you want to be described, but it’s true.) They’re all a credit to their parents.

Anyway, Happy Belated Birthday, buddy! Thanks for demonstrating a random act of kindness.