[00:00:00] Deanna: Every once in a while you get to meet individuals who remind you that kindness knows no limits. It doesn't require certain abilities, life experiences, or even age.
[00:00:13] Deanna: Sometimes it looks like two young girls who are simply starting where they are and using what they have to grow kindness. Today's guests are two sisters, Seraphine and Alliana, ages 11 and 9, and they're joined today by their dad, Matthew. And they are growing kindness in an extra special way, by making and giving crocheted bookmarks to seniors in their community Together, we're gonna talk about how their project got started and the many other ways that they are growing kindness in their community.
[00:00:52] Deanna: I know that you are going to leave this conversation today feeling inspired. Sometimes the people with the biggest lessons to teach us are not the ones with the loudest voices.
[00:01:04] Deanna: So today, I am just so honored and delighted to welcome Seraphine and Alianna and Matthew here with us today. So we are gonna jump right in. Alianna, would you like to take a minute and introduce yourself?
[00:01:19] Seraphine: Yes. My name is Eliana and I'm nine years old My name is Daphne Hernandez and I am 11 years old
[00:01:29] Deanna: Great. And how about Dad? Dad, do you wanna share a little bit? Maybe you could share a little bit about who you guys are as a family and where in the world you're growing kindness
[00:01:38] Seraphine: Yeah. So, my name is Matthew Hernandez, and I am 42 years old.
[00:01:43] Deanna: Fantastic
[00:01:43] Seraphine: I have a few extra years, right? Yeah, and we are in, Lynnwood, Washington. , This is where we're growing kindness. , Really growing kindness for us is all over. Doesn't necessarily need to be in our backyard, but we love our backyard too, and the Pacific Northwest is where we call home
[00:01:58] Deanna: Awesome. All right. Well, I think every story has a beginning, and so we're gonna begin at the beginning. Seraphine, can I ask you, when is the first time that you guys as a family heard about Growing Kindness? How how did that story begin?
[00:02:17] Seraphine: Well, we first got involved to the Growing Kindness project by Ms. Al from Dragonfly Blooms, and she invited us to make winter bouquets, and it inspired me. , And I made- I decided to crochet flower, flowers, , to add to the winter bouquets to make, like, a finishing touch
[00:02:42] Deanna: This is such an exciting beginning. So one of the things that's really, really special and sweet is to see the way that kindness opens doors for new connections, right? So do I have the information correct that Ms. Al is your neighbor? Is that true? And did you know her v- did you know her very well? Oh, sorry.
[00:03:01] Deanna: Go ahead, Dad
[00:03:01] Seraphine: Yeah, I was just saying she, she's nearby. She's not quite too close. We have to drive a little bit, but she's, she's like a few blocks down
[00:03:07] Deanna: So how did you guys get to know Ms. Al? Was that through Growing Kindness that you met her for the first time, or was that something that, a relationship you already had?
[00:03:16] Seraphine: We were, , before we, from, when we were in Texas and we moved back to Washington, we were on this, , Buy Nothing community, and we were looking for furniture, and we saw that Miss Al was giving away tubers, so we decided to give it a shot, and here we are now, growing tuber- or growing dahlias and giving them to our local seniors and community
[00:03:42] Deanna: Oh my goodness, and that was just last winter, right? That this connection first kind of... Well, f- since, it was just last winter that you started making bouquets and, and crocheting the flowers to go into the bouquets with Michelle. I love that. Aliana, were you, , a person who crocheted before this started or did you have to learn how to crochet to do this?
[00:04:07] Seraphine: Learn from my sister surfing
[00:04:09] Deanna: And that is so... Sisters are the best for teaching those kind of things, aren't they?
[00:04:13] Seraphine: Good in, good influence.
[00:04:15] Deanna: so Seraphine, were you already crocheting when you started making the holiday cheer bouquets, or was that something you learned how to do just for this?
[00:04:25] Seraphine: Learned, I already knew how to crochet before the bookmarks, but I started, , because I would, we would visit our great- our grandmother in Texas, and I would always just watch her crochet. So I learned, well, three years later I learned how to crochet, , little trinkets and, um all these other little things that I could make for everyone.
[00:04:53] Seraphine: , And then right now I just started deciding crocheting bookmarks s- because I saw that everyone reads a lot, so I said, "Oh, I could crochet all these bookmarks."
[00:05:04] Deanna: Excellent. So it started out with you were making a flower that would get tucked into these evergreens, right? So it was your idea that you just wanted, like you said, it was a finishing touch to kind of make it extra special. May I ask how many bookmarks you, you both made together for that first giving event?
[00:05:22] Seraphine: , I think we made about 60? Yeah, I think we made about 60 bookmarks
[00:05:30] Deanna: Wow, that's incredible. So can we back up to when you guys were helping with Holiday Cheer, , and giving those bouquets during the holidays? I know you were very much involved with helping make them. Did you get to help give them as well?
[00:05:47] Seraphine: Yes. We got to give some to the seniors and it was really fun
[00:05:54] Deanna: Can you tell me, I wanna start with, or I'm gonna, , hop over to Alianah. Tell me a little bit about what that was like. Did you guys go in the daytime, in the evening? Did you go with Miss Al? How did it go when you delivered those bouquets?
[00:06:08] Seraphine: in the evening, and it was fun
[00:06:12] Deanna: Tell me more about that. Would you, did you get to give them right to the people or did you give them to the people who work there and they help hand them out?
[00:06:21] Seraphine: I gave them to the seniors, and it was fun, and I love giving stuff to others
[00:06:30] Deanna: Why is that?
[00:06:33] Seraphine: Smile. We love the smiles, right? Yes
[00:06:35] Deanna: What, what would... I should back up. That's kind of a hard question, like why do we, you know, such a, that's actually a really, that's a lot of layers to unfold. I guess, Aliana, what I wanna ask is what happened when you gave those bouquets to people? What are the things that they said or did?
[00:06:52] Seraphine: They said they love it and they appreciate it a lot
[00:06:56] Deanna: How did that make you feel?
[00:06:58] Seraphine: Happy
[00:06:59] Deanna: Mm, I can only imagine. So that was your first experience with making and giving, like, floral gifts then to people at that time.
[00:07:09] Seraphine: Yes
[00:07:10] Deanna: Is that right? Okay. And since then, you two have been very busy bees, haven't you?
[00:07:18] Seraphine: Yes Yes But we enjoyed a lot
[00:07:20] Deanna: I can, I can see that so much. And actually, you know what? I'm gonna pause.
[00:07:24] Deanna: Like I said, Matthew, there's gonna be lots of c- creative editing. Because what I'd love to actually do, I realize, is I'm like, I'd love to hear from you as a parent. So Matthew, as a parent, how cool to get to watch these connections, , unfold and get to watch this really incredible journey that the girls are now on.
[00:07:44] Deanna: What was that like for you as a parent when that was beginning?
[00:07:48] Seraphine: All I can say, it's been an absolute blessing. It's chicken soup for my soul, put it that way. Because when I see them in action, and you see their little hearts and those little hands moving, if you would've told me that 20 years ago I was gonna have a family like this, with daughters, amazing, doing what they're doing, and willing to give to make the world a better place, I would've been a little dubious.
[00:08:07] Seraphine: I'm like, "Well, I don't know. Maybe it'll happen. I'm hoping it does." But now that it's here in my life, it's an absolute blessing to be a part of their journey and watch them in action
[00:08:16] Deanna: Is this something that, , as a family you've been doing in other ways before Growing Kindness came into your life? 'Cause I have to wonder if there's already been seeds being sown about looking out for others and serving others
[00:08:32] Seraphine: That's been my family's lineage for generations, let's say. , My whole family's been in dentistry, , since my grandfather on my dad's side. And then my dad was a, , provider. He had dental practices all across the country. And growing up in dentistry with my family, it's always been about serving.
[00:08:49] Deanna: Hmm
[00:08:50] Seraphine: leadership, that's my philosophy, is servant leadership. You can be a great leader, but you-- It-- The best ones, I feel, are the servants, the ones that are willing to help others rise. , So with my family, we, ended up creating dental practices. And oddly enough, when I got started, , with my family, I was very young.
[00:09:04] Seraphine: I was in my teens with my dad to go to school and come to the office and, , I'd help him out and make, do chart notes and do lab work and that sort of thing, learn dentistry. And, , the way I got started into, , growing kindness was serving, , the seniors in nursing and rehabilitation facilities. I-- My dad had one patient that said, "Can you help me?
[00:09:22] Seraphine: , I'm in a nursing home." And he's like, "Yeah, I don't see why not. Let me get over there. And my son will coordinate that." So I coordinated it, and one, one person says, "Hey, can you help me? Can you help us in other facilities?" And I'm like, "Y-yeah, sure. Why not? I'm only 16. What else am I doing?" So I ended up, , negotiating a deal in the state of Washington for two, , nursing and rehabilitation facilities to be able to serve the seniors.
[00:09:43] Seraphine: I had 36 locations across the state, and I, I ended up putting a team together, , at 16 to run around these places and, and go take care of them. To stabilize facilities, bring the dental care to them, coordinate with the doctors, do the chart notes, train the team. And this was after-school activities, by the way.
[00:10:00] Seraphine: So yeah, I, I would... That's when it got started, and I just love to help those who, in this case, I feel they're somewhat forgotten, right? And it's a burden, for any provider to get out of their office and go to them. , But for me, it's like if there's a will, there's a way, and if I feel driven to it.
[00:10:16] Seraphine: And for me, it was I feel , my drive to, to serve, , these patients. I, I found the way to do it, and I did that, , for almost, uh 10 years until I ended up exiting out of that mobile dental and moved on. I ended up donating that entire group to another doctor, no charge. Take care of my patients, continue serving them, and, continue spreading the good word. That's where I-
[00:10:37] Deanna: , So very clearly there is a legacy of looking for those who have been forgotten or who are in need of kindness, and that is a tremendous part of who your family is and how they move. So no surprise, girls, that you jumped in both feet first when you met Miss Al and had the opportunity to get involved with giving and giving flowers and then giving, , flowers that you'd crocheted to long-term care residents.
[00:11:04] Deanna: So since December, One of the really fun things , as an organization I should share if anyone's listening isn't familiar with, every, , holiday season we launch a campaign called the Holiday Cheer Campaign or Holiday Cheer Challenge, and the, the goal behind it is that even though the flowers have died for the winter, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, is that we keep giving.
[00:11:27] Deanna: And so one of the ways we encourage that is people make evergreen bouquets and give those instead of, like, fresh flowers. And so since that time, there really hasn't been a tremendous amount of flowers growing yet, but you have found a way to keep growing kindness in your community and keep connecting with seniors.
[00:11:46] Deanna: Can you tell us a little bit more about how you, , started with the Bookmark Project and what that's looked like for the last few months?
[00:11:55] Seraphine: You take that one? , I'll start- I think Aliana wants to- You wanna start? ... answer it. Yeah, okay. I'll, I'll start it off because I can tell you, the way they... Before they got started with the bookmarks, they helped me tremendously at the office. So I work at Buckfield Dental Center, I'm the director of operations there, and the girls, they usually come with me in the morning.
[00:12:11] Seraphine: They'll do a morning, , joke. I do a dad joke of the day, so they'll come in with me and they'll present the joke, which is really amazing. , And then I get started with my quick presentation in the morning. They wanted to contribute to some of the holiday festivities that we do in there.
[00:12:23] Seraphine: St. Patrick's Day was one, Valentine's Day was another. And the girls go, "Hey, let's make them some hearts, and we can crochet some hearts, Dad." And I'm thinking, "Okay. Really?" So before I knew it, their little hands were going and, and I came home one day and it's like, "Dad, look. Whee." And then we saw all these hearts.
[00:12:39] Seraphine: I'm like, "What are those?" It's like, "We crocheted 70-something hearts." We have almost 70 team members at the practice. It's a big dental office. And, , y- I was like, "Wow, okay." So we ended up tying those to the little, , the little lollipops, right? Lollipops, yeah. The little lollipops, and then we passed out these to the team and to the patients as they came in to spread some, some cheer.
[00:12:56] Seraphine: Um, Valentine's was the little hearts, right? Mm-hmm. And, and, , and then the clovers for St. Patrick's Day. They crocheted, , a four-leaf clover, crochets for St. Patrick's Day, and we passed those out too. So once that happened, then I think the little hands started going and the brain started flying, and then all of a sudden, you know, it turned into a bookmark, which S- Seraphine recently created a bookmark, , that was for a, a barista- Yes
[00:13:18] Seraphine: at, at a coffee shop that we frequent. And the, this bookmark looked like a legit cup of matcha. It even had the little feather on top where you would, you know, put that little, little, you know, logo on the top of it and make like a leaf, and it looked so gorgeous. I was shocked. But to see that level of commitment and passion to do something, to make someone smile and make their day, , yes.
[00:13:39] Seraphine: That's, that's essentially how that got started and how it continued to where we are today.
[00:13:43] Deanna: Oh, Serafina have to know what did the book- what did the barista say when you gave her the bookmark?
[00:13:48] Seraphine: She was, she was really- Like that. She was surprisingly, she was just super happy that I made her day. She even said that. She said I made her day. I just saw that her... She just brightened as soon as she came
[00:14:06] Deanna: Is that what keeps you going? 'Cause it sounds like you're doing more and more and more. Is it getting to see the responses that people have when you share these things with them that inspires you to keep making more?
[00:14:15] Seraphine: Yes, their, their comments on our, our projects, their smiles. The way that when we hand them something, even like a little, maybe like a little charm, they just, their spirits just lift up. Like, I just made, like, we just made their day.
[00:14:31] Deanna: Mm-hmm. Isn't
[00:14:32] Seraphine: us to keep going and keep bringing smiles to everyone
[00:14:37] Deanna: Absolutely beautiful. I think that's a good reminder to us all. We just need to keep going and keep finding ways to bring smiles to other people. But it starts out with noticing people, right? And it sounds like you guys are really taking note of who are the people that we can brighten their days. So, Aliana, would you tell me more about the work that you and your sister have been doing now?
[00:15:00] Deanna: You have been busy crocheting, and you're creating bookmarks. Tell me about where those bookmarks are going, and w- well, let's, let's start with that. We'll just say, can you tell me more about what you're doing with the bookmarks as you make them?
[00:15:14] Seraphine: I'm selling them and giving them to the, to the seniors and making them happy
[00:15:23] Deanna: So you've been giving these to seniors also. Do you guys go as a family to visit long-term care? What does that look like for you now, now that the holiday cheer campaign is finished?
[00:15:35] Seraphine: It's a little bit of both, yeah? Yes. Sometimes daddy's at work, so sometimes mommy will take them and they'll... or they'll drop them off if they're not available, right? So some of it's us as a family, and sometimes it's just, , essentially giving it to the, the, , facility, and then they can disperse those accordingly with the, with their little faces so they know who it came from
[00:15:52] Deanna: Excellent. So, Aliana, do you get to see the seniors when you give them the bookmarks? It sounds like sometimes yes, but maybe not
[00:16:01] Seraphine: Sometimes always
[00:16:03] Deanna: Oh, always. So always you get to hand them out individually, so you get to see every senior. How does that make you feel?
[00:16:11] Seraphine: A lot, a lot happy
[00:16:13] Deanna: A lot, a lot happy. It's really special, isn't it? When I go to long-term care, , I don't go as much with my kids 'cause my kids are getting grown up and really big now. But when we go together, , and when I go on my own, , I feel... Sometimes I feel happy and sad. I don't know if that happens to you when you go, too.
[00:16:31] Deanna: Sometimes I feel a little bit sad when I realize how lonely the people are there, because they'll say they haven't had anybody come visit them in a really long time, or nobody comes and visits them. And so that makes me feel a little bit disheartened when I think about just the reality of how lonely some of these people are.
[00:16:53] Deanna: And then I feel the same as you. It makes me feel really happy to know there's something that we can do to help them remember that they are not forgotten, and that somebody cares about them, and somebody wants to make them smile. I'm gonna pause and regroup here. You guys, this is just, it's inspiring me to get to hear your story, and I know it's gonna inspire so many other people.
[00:17:16] Deanna: So, let's talk for a minute about your garden. So I know that you've been connected with Ms. Al, who's one of our Growing Kindness ambassadors, and she's been helping you get started with growing some dahlias. Can you tell me more about your flower garden that you're growing now and what you hope to do with your flower garden?
[00:17:42] Seraphine: It's full of beautiful dahlias that are sprouting amazingly. And every morning we will wake up and check on the dahlias, make sure that they're growing good, because if they're not, then we won't get to see that pretty flower bloom. And well, we'll just wait patiently for that beautiful blossom to bloom, and then once they're done blooming, we'll cut them up, put them in bouquets, and we'll give them to our local seniors and our community
[00:18:15] Deanna: Amazing. So these past winter months when things have been cold and gray, you've been creating the sunshine, you've been creating the flowers using yarn and by crocheting. Now you're also growing the blooms to be able to give them, and I'm so inspired by that because sometimes I think, "Well, the flowers aren't growing, so I really don't have something to share."
[00:18:38] Deanna: But you girls jumped right in both feet first and created blooms to share when there were none blooming. And now, as your garden grows and blooms, you're gonna be able to share these real fresh blooms as well. Do you think that you're gonna continue sharing bookmarks alongside of the dahlias as well? Or are you gonna kinda shift gears for the summer and focus on sharing flowers?
[00:19:02] Deanna: What's next?
[00:19:03] Seraphine: We'll probably do a mix of both, but as far as we know, we're gonna keep crocheting bookmarks and bring more smiles on these people's faces
[00:19:12] Deanna: I love it. Alyona, you mentioned to me that some of the bookmarks are donated and some of them are sold. Can you tell me about, , the business that you're developing and , why you guys chose to grow this as a business as well?
[00:19:31] Seraphine: Chose to grow it
[00:19:38] Deanna: Because it's a lot of fun. I should probably back up too, 'cause I realize I'm like, I have to remember, we're like, yeah, there's, I don't wanna
[00:19:40] Seraphine: Ella, what do you think? It's fun Hmm?
[00:19:46] Deanna: overcomplicate my question. So you've decided to both make and give bookmarks, but you're also selling some of them. How does selling them help you with your goal? What's happening when you, with the resources that you're, the funds that you're raising when you sell them?
[00:20:04] Seraphine: Help. Can I help her a bit?
[00:20:06] Deanna: Of course. , Aliana, would you like help or do you want a minute to think?
[00:20:09] Seraphine: Probably a minute to think
[00:20:11] Deanna: You can take that. S- when I... So I don't know if you guys know this, I used to be an elementary school teacher, and one of the things that I had to learn, 'cause I sometimes talk really fast, I had to learn to slow down and ask people, "Do you want coaching, or do you just want some time?"
[00:20:25] Deanna: Sometimes we just need some time for our brain to kind of put our thoughts together
[00:20:30] Seraphine: True, too. Mm-hmm. What do you think? Do you have an answer to that one? That's a good one. Yes. Okay, go ahead. With the sewing, we do a buy what you can. So people will come and they'll give us money. But with that money, we use it to buy more supplies to crochet even more bookmarks and all these little trinkets for our sen- our local seniors and the community.
[00:20:55] Seraphine: , So yeah, we just do a buy what you can, and she and I will have a lot of fun
[00:21:00] Deanna: Excellent. So you're using your sales to be able to support you and help you be able to give more, which I think is really, really a beautiful model to build a business on, to use that to help you give. I'm really, really just inspired by what you both are doing You're welcome. Now this is where I have to pause and regroup. Thanks. Thanks for your patience with me, girls, as we talk about these things. I feel like there's a million things that are coming to my head as you're sharing, so I wanna make sure that we get to include all those in this today. And let me pause. Also, this is, like, space brain where I'm like, "Where'd it go?" Do you ever have that where you're like, I remember something or I think about it, and then it's just gone?
[00:21:43] Seraphine: All time.
[00:21:44] Deanna: All the time. All the time. Well, let's, let's go back to a garden question. Aliana, can you tell me, I know you're excitedly growing your garden for the summer, how many dahlias did you plant this year?
[00:21:57] Seraphine: Probably 100 or 10 Over 100. Over 100, yeah
[00:22:02] Deanna: 110, more than 100.
[00:22:04] Seraphine: Yes
[00:22:05] Deanna: Wow. And Aliana, are- tell me more, you, your sis- Seraphine told me that they're growing in pots, right? Was that Sera- sorry, I'm confusing who shared what now at this point. But Aliana, they're growing in pots on your deck, is that right? Excellent. And this is your second year to grow dahlias, is that correct? Awesome. Are dahlias your favorite flower to grow and share, or do you have other flowers that you enjoy growing and sharing also?
[00:22:33] Seraphine: Other flowers to enjoy and grow together
[00:22:37] Deanna: Okay. What kind of flowers what kind of flowers besides dahlias do you like to grow to be able to share?
[00:22:47] Seraphine: chair I think, I think it's the dahlias, but she's got another favorite flower, and I, I think we all think it's really pretty That's all it is. I love bluebells Mm
[00:23:02] Deanna: Oh, awesome. Those are really beautiful. So that's your sec- is that your second favorite behind dahlias, or are dahlias your first favorite to grow and share?
[00:23:12] Seraphine: Dahlias are my first favorite to grow
[00:23:15] Deanna: Excellent. They just grow so many flowers, huh?
[00:23:19] Seraphine: Yes
[00:23:20] Deanna: That's one of the things I love, I love the most about them too, is they're just more and more and more blooms to be able to share, which is, I think it's a little bit like kindness, right? Like, the more that we cut a dahlia and share the blooms, the more blooms come off of the, the next flush, or the, it keeps growing more and more blooms for us.
[00:23:40] Deanna: And I think kindness is the same way. The more that we give it, the more that we actually have to give. Like, we don't run out, right?
[00:23:49] Seraphine: It also motivates people to do the same. I love that part here, 'cause then we can keep it. Yes
[00:23:53] Deanna: Yeah, it really does create ripples of impact that we don't know how far they're gonna go, but it's exciting to think about the possibilities. All right. Well, girls, I think what's really unique about your story, we kind of talked about this at the beginning, is that there are lots of people we talk to on this podcast who are growing kindness in their communities, but none of them are doing it in the unique way that you are by creating these flo- floral bookmarks to share, and also not many people are starting out at the age that you guys are starting out as.
[00:24:30] Deanna: So I was wondering if there were some kids listening today and they were maybe thinking about ways they could start growing kindness in their community, is there any advice that you would give them? Anything that you would wanna tell them that could help them or that would encourage them? Maybe let's start with, maybe Seraphine, can we start with you, and then Alionna could have a minute to think about that while you're answering
[00:24:52] Seraphine: Yes. There is a saying from Simon Sinek, and he says, "Courage grows when we know someone is there for us." And to me, that just means doing things for others without expecting anything in return, and that just, it's just awesome to say and think about. It just brings me joy 'cause that's just so true that it just, just really brings me... It lifts my spirits
[00:25:24] Deanna: Amazing. So maybe it sounds like the advice that you'd like to give kids is you're gonna receive so much from giving. You're gonna get so much out of it when you give to others. That's a beautiful reminder for us all. Al- Alionna, if there was someone who was maybe wanting to get started with growing and sharing flowers or making something to give to brighten somebody's spirits, is there something that you would tell them to help them out as they're getting started?
[00:25:55] Seraphine: To me, kindness means being there for others. I crocheted my little sister a bookmark, but then she lost it. So then I crocheted her another one, and it felt happy for her
[00:26:08] Deanna: So it's just showing up and sharing what you have, right? So it doesn't have to be complicated, and it sounds like, sounds like maybe a little bit of grace and patience is always involved in that too, huh? Yeah.
[00:26:21] Seraphine: Keep going and never give up
[00:26:23] Deanna: Just don't give up. I think that's such wise encouragement to all of us, no matter what age we are, right?
[00:26:29] Deanna: That's good, that's good advice for all of us
[00:26:32] Seraphine: it'll be really challenging in the beginning, but don't give up. It'll be, it'll be worth it
[00:26:38] Deanna: Mm. What was the hardest thing for you in the beginning? What was the biggest challenge?
[00:26:43] Seraphine: I think it was just, I was always thinking of making clothes or just little, just little gadgets or trinkets that'll brighten people's day. But that was just always a little complicated because I never really knew how to do certain things that was included in the project. So it got really confusing and a little frustrating, but I never gave up because I really wanted to add smiles and joy to their lives
[00:27:18] Deanna: So the things that used to be really hard, when you think back to when you were first crocheting, are the patterns and the trinkets that you were first making that were really challenging, are they still challenging to you or are they easy now?
[00:27:30] Seraphine: They're getting a little easier. But I mean, sometimes they'll have a certain stitch that I forgot about, so then I'll have to review it again, and then I'll go back to crocheting the project. But overall, it's getting a little simpler
[00:27:45] Deanna: Do you think that's 'cause you're getting, like, more skilled at doing it? Yes, I would agree. I would think that you've probably grown a lot of skills with all of this practice and all the hours that you're putting into it
[00:27:57] Seraphine: It's been worth it all Mm-hmm.
[00:27:59] Deanna: That is inspiring to hear. All right, Matthew, I would love to ask you, I think that anyone listening right now is just really recognizing in your daughters that there have been seeds sown, like you shared in the beginning, of getting to watch, getting to watch an example of caring for others and getting to lead in your community through service.
[00:28:23] Deanna: If there are parents listening today of young ones, what advice would you have to give parents to help cultivate this attitude of this attitude that your girls beautifully display for us of not only looking for needs in their community and noticing others, but being willing to jump right in and do something?
[00:28:43] Deanna: Is there anything that you could share that could be a takeaway for parents listening today?
[00:28:49] Seraphine: Yes. Well, one thing I would s- would start with is s- sometimes children aren't vocal about what they want, you know? They, they don't, they don't know what they don't know until you give them an outlet. And these days it's really tough to find what their outlet is when there's so many distractions.
[00:29:05] Seraphine: There's distractions with school, there's distractions with friends, there's distractions with, you know, the internet, movies. There's all sorts of distractions. When we purposely, as parents, a- allow them to think for a second, we, we focus their efforts or their attention on something... I, I don't know, I don't wanna say necessarily old school, but old school mindset, right?
[00:29:24] Seraphine: Let's let them kick a can for a second. Let's let them go outside and j- just enjoy nature for a minute. Watch what happens. When you allow them to do these things and then you give them o- other outlets that are, you know, nurturing, you know, it allows them to express themselves in a, in a more charismatic way, right?
[00:29:40] Seraphine: They'll, they'll be able to blossom, right? So support them in that. Try to find out what that is in your child, and then when you find what that may be, right? Maybe it's a martial art, maybe it's an artist, maybe it's cooking. I love to cook. I like to throw down every weekend with my daughters, but would they know that if I wouldn't have done that?
[00:29:56] Seraphine: And I love to involve them in that, right? We all have a little process in it, and when we eat, we come together and we all find that we love to do that together. So I would say to find out what that is and then allow them to blossom by allow- focusing on that track. Keep them on, support them and let them know what you're doing is good, you know?
[00:30:14] Seraphine: And that goodness will actually start to blossom into something else, and before long you'll realize they'll turn into, you know, something where those smiles never go away and they're still wanting to do more, you know? So I, I feel just supporting that, that that beautiful little flower and allowing it to blossom is, is the first step into showing them the r- the way to happiness.
[00:30:34] Deanna: I love that. I think that that's a beautiful reminder is sometimes you know, and we think about it as a gardening analogy, sometimes the way that we help things bloom and grow is to create space around it. So like pulling out the weeds and the things that would take up the resources or the actual space where that flower could grow.
[00:30:53] Deanna: And as, as you were sharing, I just had this visual of you as parents, you know, cultivating this garden in your children's lives of, of just very intentionally removing some things that would either take up, you know, time, energy, resources, attention so that the things that they're creative and they're passionate about have room to actually flourish.
[00:31:15] Deanna: And I think that's a really beautiful reminder to us all as parents, a way that we can support our kids in, in growing into the unique individuals that they are meant to be but also cultivating that space to develop a passion that could ultimately end up being the thing that they can use to share with others.
[00:31:35] Seraphine: Absolutely. You got it
[00:31:36] Deanna: Yeah. Oh my goodness. Well, I know that I am, I'm truly inspired, girls, by considering the work that you're doing, especially with the Bookmark Project, to think outside the box for myself about what are the other ways that I can be growing kindness even when the flowers aren't blooming. So thank you for challenging me in a very good way by showing me through your example what you're doing.
[00:32:01] Deanna: I'm really inspired by it, and I hope that those who are listening will also take this as a challenge for themselves also to really consider what are the ways that we can continue to grow kindness even when the flowers are not blooming. So I really, really am grateful and honored to have had you as guests today and to have the opportunity to share your story.
[00:32:23] Deanna: I know that it's gonna continue to inspire others, and I want you to know that we are all cheering for you. It really is important work when we all just do what we can in our communities where we are. If someone was listening today and they wanted to get in touch with you and support you, I know I've had a few people who reached out and asked if they could donate yarn to your campaign, and I've also had a few people who were interested in purchasing bookmarks to be able to help you continue funding the giving that you're doing.
[00:32:54] Deanna: If there was anybody who wanted to be able to reach out and connect with you about that, what would be the best way for people to do that?
[00:33:04] Seraphine: Instagram would be
[00:33:09] Deanna: All right, so Instagram.
[00:33:10] Seraphine: on Instagram
[00:33:11] Deanna: Okay, mom's Instagram account. So what we will do is we will include that in the show notes here. So if anyone was listening today and they wanted to get in touch with you and support the work that you're doing to grow or to create and give these bookmarks, they could be able to do that.
[00:33:26] Deanna: Or if they just wanted to leave you a note of encouragement and let you know they're cheering for you too, we'll make sure that they have that contact to be able to do that. Girls, I'm inspired by hearing the work that you're doing, and one of the really beautiful things about kindness is, is that we don't even always have to directly witness it.
[00:33:45] Deanna: Sometimes we can just hear about it, and we get to experience the same effect e- of, of either being given kindness or getting to watch somebody give kindness. So I... One of the things that I love to ask each of our podcast guests, just to remind us all about how powerful a small act of kindness is, is what is one small act of kindness that someone once did for you that you still carry in your heart today?
[00:34:16] Seraphine: Oh my gosh, there's a bunch of amazing times where my family has helped me. They've encouraged me to continue on crocheting and helping everyone. That just inspired me to keep moving 'cause all these encouraging words that my sister, Aliana, has said, Dad, Mom, Camila, our littlest, said, they just lifted my spirits to continue, continue my journey to keep crocheting and adding more, more joy to their life.
[00:34:55] Deanna: Mm-hmm. I love that
[00:34:56] Seraphine: your support and Ms. Al's support has just It just made me blossom even more to continue my journey
[00:35:08] Deanna: Serafine, oh my goodness. I just wanna like reach through the screen and give you a big hug right now. I just am so inspired by your story. Aliana, how about you? Is there something that somebody once did for you? It could be a big thing or it could be a really little thing, 'cause sometimes it's a good reminder that even the tiniest things can really make a big difference in our lives.
[00:35:26] Deanna: What's some- what's a time when someone was really kind to you that you still remember today?
[00:35:33] Seraphine: My sister crocheted me a headband, and I really loved it. I told her, "Thank you. Maybe you should sell one or give one to a person who really appreciates it."
[00:35:45] Deanna: Oh, was that at the beginning of the days of crochet, Seraphine? Was that one of the first things you made
[00:35:53] Seraphine: I think, yeah, I think that was the first thing I made. I was actually really impressed by the, what, the way how I made it, because to me I thought it was a little weird because I had no idea what I was doing. I was just adding certain patterns or stitches to the project. I was like, "Eh, here you can have it."
[00:36:10] Seraphine: Don't forget my gloves. Yeah, and, and dad's gloves. I made him gloves and a scarf, and- ... I just, I didn't think it looked cool, but everyone else thought they were amazing. So even, even if it's a little weird or if it's not perfect, they'll still love it
[00:36:31] Deanna: Yep, I couldn't agree more because obviously your act of kindness is what your sister shared. You know, that act of kindness in giving those things to her really touched her, and she still thinks about it today. So that's pretty special All right. Matthew, if it's okay, we'll end with you today. What's one small act of kindness that you still carry in your heart today?
[00:36:52] Seraphine: Hmm. I remember my family had a patient at the office that was a frequent patient, and my family was scaling practices, and I was working... going to school and working 20-hour days, sleeping very little, and just moving. Well, there was a time when we were scaling and moving, and I just forgot I existed. I just kept moving to try to help serve more people.
[00:37:14] Seraphine: And you know, I don't even remember. I, I didn't eat for a couple days. And she was like, "You need to eat, Matthew. We need you to keep you strong." And I'm thinking, "Yes, ma'am, I, I'll eat. I'll do that here in a little bit." And I just kept moving. And she's like, "Mm-hmm, he's not eating." So she, she left, and she came back, and she came back with a bag full of goodies.
[00:37:31] Seraphine: She's like, "Matthew, come on. We're gonna get you going." So she ended up going to the back of the office, and she set down a whole smorgasbord of all kinds of goodies, and, "Here's a sandwich, and I got some drinks here for you. We're gonna make sure you eat." And I was just touched because I'm used to doing for others versus the other way around, right?
[00:37:47] Seraphine: It's always me, like Matthew will take care of it. But when she did that, it, it reminded me that, okay, one, I- in order for me to continue on my mission, I have to take care of myself. I have to remember that. And two, just to see something as simple as that, someone actually seeing from the outside, not a family member, not even a close friend, just an actual, you know, patient of my family's practices.
[00:38:08] Seraphine: And she took the time out of her life to go find something good to eat, bring it over there, and make sure I ate it, and so sh- before she left. And to this day, I never forgot that, and it, it meant the world to me. So something as simple as a bookmark or a flower or a clover or, or a little bit of food, just because somebody...
[00:38:26] Seraphine: You gotta remind them, you know, that y- you're not on your own on this planet. We're all here together to help one another. Give you all that all that you need to continue to charge forward and, and take care of others.
[00:38:36] Deanna: Oh, that's it. We just that's it. That's all we need to say, right? Like, that's such an incredible reminder to us all. I'm gonna go ahead and hit stop 'cause we actually do just do kind of a... It sounds like a hard stop, but usually we kind of do an exit with that.
