When our son Reed was about to turn six, we were driving to the place where we were going to have his birthday party. The night before, he and I had watched a show about stray animals and how much they needed help. I guess the show really affected him because he said, ‘Mommy, is it okay if I ask my friends to bring donations for homeless animals instead of getting birthday gifts?’

So, every year for his birthday we throw him a party and he doesn’t get one gift. Instead, everybody brings donations. People in our community have really taken it to heart. It even changed the way my husband and I give gifts to each other. We have the same birthday, so every year for our birthday we pick a charity and make a donation.

I think it made us see what a shining example of generosity and good spirit a child can bring. We’re not going to change the world, just the three of us in our family, but we can make a difference. It doesn’t have to be this grand thing. You can just make a decision that you’re going to change the lives of people or animals in any way that you can.

I think an aha moment is an emotional shift. You’re going about your day and you’re worried about all the tedious things that are going on. Then something blindsides you and puts you back into the moment of ‘that’s actually what’s really important.’