Be the Sunshine

Photo by HT Photography

"Be someone's sunshine when their skies are gray."

Sunshine in the classroom

We had ourselves "a grand time" in Room 21 this past week. In honour of the anniversary of my mom's passing, at the end of the month I threw a sunshine themed party for my students.

For many years before she passed away my mom, Mrs. Lear, came faithfully every Friday to my classroom. Bursting through the door each week she was bombarded with hugs and squeals of delight from the students in gleeful anticipation of what she may have brought with her this time. There were always fun songs, cool games, exciting stories, themed parties, treats and more mentorship and priceless life lessons than the kids ever realized.

She loved on those kids hard and brought joy beyond measure to the classroom and their little hearts.

My mom was literally sunshine in human form. Pair that with the fact that her home was adorned with more "You are my Sunshine" items than you thought possible, and a sunshine party in her honour was certainly most fitting.

At this party, the students were challenged to "be the sunshine" just like she was and the theme was what Mom would say on repeat "You never go wrong by being kind." The students were delighted and enjoyed cupcakes, and made cards for their special people in their lives.

I highly recommend this type of celebration as it brought so much fun to an otherwise average Friday and it really helped me on my grief journey to keep Mom's memory alive and share her with another bunch of sweet students.

Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana

Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana

Be the Sunshine

My mom was one incredible woman and I strive to emulate her, and be the sunshine to this world of ours, just like she was.

It is a challenge that I extend to everyone. We often think it takes a big effort or grandiose gesture to make an impact. That is often not the case, as many times it is the smallest things or acts of kindness that are the most cherished. 

In the past at times when I would contemplate reaching out to different people who were going through hard times, I would oddly become hesitant.  Perhaps it was because I didn't know them that well, or was concerned that they would be private about their concerns.

My mom taught me to be different, put fear aside and instead ask myself "Why am I hesitating?" Then again she would chime in with a sparkle in her eyes saying "If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... You never go wrong by being kind."

​No truer words were ever spoken.

Little Things Go a Long Way

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Perhaps you would like to spread more sunshine in your corner of the world, but you don't know where to start. My first piece of advice is to look at the people closest to you. Share appreciation statements with them. Tell them what you love and appreciate about them. It needs to be vocalized. Often we can assume that those closest to us know how we feel, but they need to hear it as well.

It might be obvious things or other things that no one has every acknowledged before. An example could be the fact that they have excellent organization skills, or they are a very generous person.

Call out the greatness that you see in them. Trust me. You will make their day.

Another suggestion I LOVE to do is the drive thru challenge. I have done this several times and it is so rewarding!

​How it works is you pay for your order and the one behind you in any local drive thru. It is so surprising to get to the window and realize that the order is already paid for.

I have been the recipient of this very kind gesture as well. It has been such a blessing as it has often come on a day that I really needed encouragement. 

As simple as it may sound, a free coffee can reap very large dividends on a deep and meaningful level. 

Start Today

Tomorrow is never promised my friend. Don't hesitate like I used to do. Our gestures of kindness do not have to be perfect. It is the heart that people see and the love behind them that really lingers. You have so much to offer and the world needs your light.

Call to Action:

• Make a list of people who could use some sunshine this week that you would like to bless.
• Don't wait for a birthday, or anniversary etc. because often the "just because" gifts hold the most meaning.
• Pray and ask God to bring to the forefront people that you may not know of that are experiencing hard times or heartache right now.
• Do the sunshine thing! It doesn't have to perfect to be impactful.
• Post a comment on this blog about the sunshine you spread this week. I would love to hear all about it!

Until next time my friends, I am sending so much love and sunshine your way.

​You light up a room just be being YOU!

Love ya!
Dana XO

Copyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) ​

Tags: sunshine, you are my sunshine, grief and loss, bereavement, be the sunshine, invest in others, encouragement, moms

Author

Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, blogger, author, and speaker. She is dedicated to "loving God and loving people" with all her heart. With a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement, Dana makes a positive impact wherever she goes. She resides in Ontario with her husband and their two grown children.