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Editorial: Next Saturday, perform random acts of kindness in memory of Laura

It's possible these turbulent days to give in to the notion that anger, negativity and mean-spiritedness epitomize the world.

But we don't have to accept that.

If we want a better world, we need instead to spread the word that love moves us forward - and to model that belief in the way we live each day.

In other words, pay it forward with random acts of kindness.

As Daily Herald columnist Burt Constable describes elsewhere in the paper today, that's the way Arlington Heights native Laura Szejka Zimmer wanted to be remembered.

That's the way her parents, Mike and Caryn Szejka and her husband David Zimmer would like her to be remembered too.

Laura, a member back in high school of the Daily Herald Leadership Team, died all too young of a terrible cancer at the tender age of 26 on July 14, 2016.

Her life had been filled with energy and good works.

Anyone who reviews the resumes of those suburban high school students honored by selection to our annual Leadership Team knows how exhaustively they contribute to the community. Laura's good works earned her a spot on that team in 2007, and frankly, we were honored to recognize her contributions.

Her birthday is July 28. This upcoming Saturday, she would have been 29.

Her family and friends hope to celebrate her life that day by encouraging others to pay it forward.

The #ALittleBitofLaura campaign on Twitter encourages people to do something nice for others and post it.

Print out the postcard we've reproduced with this editorial and on Saturday, hand it to the recipients of your kindness to let them know that it was inspired by Laura.

"Laura said that rather than do something for just one person," her mother Caryn told Burt, "she would like us to do things for as many people as possible. Perform random acts of kindness like the ones that were bestowed upon her. That was how Laura lived her life."

On Saturday, July 28, pay it forward with random acts of kindness in memory of Laura Szejka Zimmer.

Every day, pay your blessings forward with random acts of kindness in keeping with the spirit of love she represented.

It's possible these turbulent days to give in to the notion that anger, negativity and mean-spiritedness epitomize the world. But we don't have to accept that.

If we want a better world, we need instead to spread the word that love moves us forward - and to model that belief in the way we live each day.

Do it for Laura Szejka Zimmer. Do it for yourself. Do it for all of us.

Daily Herald Leadership team member Laura Szejka

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