I love when people see me years after initially spotting me on either Kindness Bicycle or in the Kindness Bus. This family from Michigan however, spotted me in a neighborhood of Cleveland and on the following day saw me on the other side of town and had to stop and talk with me. They said it was very brave of me to do what I’m doing. I told him it wasn’t bravery, it was a very big passion for helping to make kid’s lives better.

I have arrived back in Northeast, Ohio where I will spend the next several weeks. Within 15 minutes of arriving here I was out on the Kindness bicycle connecting with students and their parents heading home from school. The messages on Kindness Bicycle are always the center of conversation. I took a much deserved break when I saw a Boston terrier who looked almost identical to Bogart. Of course I had to hold this wonderful girl named Lily. Don’t tell Bogart please!

It has been a long time coming, but the two Kindness Buses have finally met.
Professor Bryan Katz of Virginia Tech, has taken ownership of the original Kindness Bus. This bus will be used on the Virginia Tech campus, the Blacksburg, Virginia schools, events and all throughout this region where much healing is still needed.
I am so thrilled that this bus has come full circle.

I spent two days on the Virginia Tech campus connecting with faculty, administration and students. The ninth anniversary of the tragedy on this campus has just passed. Thirty-two lives were lost on that day. The center rear window of the Kindness Bus is dedicated to Virginia Tech. I thought a nice addition to that window would be for 32 individuals to paint a different color of paint over the words “end all forms of hatred.”
Everyone was so appreciative of our visit to their campus and honoring the 32 individuals with a separate coat of paint.

One of my favorite people to visit while I am in Charleston, South Carolina is Sister Sandra Makowski.
Once again she gave the Kindness Bus Tour the red carpet treatment. The Diocese of Charleston, where she is Chancellor, has built a new office compound all on one campus. She took the time to introduce me to all of the employees, Bogart was a huge hit. The new building has an incredible view over some of the low country of South Carolina.

Some of the most caring and kind individuals you will ever meet are from the Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina. This church which lost nine of its members last summer, began healing almost immediately, through forgiveness. This community turned away from hatred, embracing love and forgiveness.