Credit: CBS News
No matter where someone is in their life, 2020 has been a difficult year. It’s no secret that just about everyone could use a pick-me-up these days.
Catharine Knight, a businesswoman who regularly travels for work, has taken it upon herself to lift the spirits of others by giving out homemade cards to strangers in the Houston airport who look like they need a bit of positivity. Each card continues a unique message that has been carefully crafted to brighten the readers’ day.
“You have to wear a mask so you can’t see somebody smile or if they’re sad,” she says. “So if you watch somebody’s eyes, you can kind of determine maybe that person needs a little pick-me-up.”
Knight’s mission began three years ago. She and her son decided to write messages for strangers they’ve never met and distribute them whenever they feel is right. To date, more than 25,000 letters have been written. Whether an airport janitor, another frequent flyer, or a pilot, Knight knows everyone needs some light in such a dark time.
A mother who was flying out of Houston with her three kids was one of the recipients of Knight’s cards of kindness. Though at first Heidi Botkin was surprised, even skeptical, when Knight handed her a letter, upon reading it, she was touched.
“I was super stressed out when I get the three kids by myself,” says Botkin. “So, yeah, that was a nice little pick-me-up.”
Though this venture began pre-COVID-19, the kind gesture is especially poignant in this day and age. Little acts of kindness like this go a long way, especially in a time when everyone is struggling. It shows others that even in a world where keeping distant is important to our safety, we’re not really alone. Just like Catharine Knight said herself:
“People need to know that there’s still kindness in this world.”
