WASHINGTON -- As the anniversary of the Newtown shootings approaches, one of Connecticut's senators decided to do something different to honor the memory of those who lost their lives: spend his day on small acts of kindness.

Inspired by a Newtown student who performed 26 acts of kindness, each one representing a child or teacher killed by gunman Adam Lanza, Sen. Chris Murphy (D) spent an entire day driving around the state performing the same number of acts. He documented his activities on Twitter, with photos and thoughts about each of the small gestures taken to make someone's day a little better.

See below for Murphy's tweets about how he spent his day, which included filling strangers' parking meters and buying coffee for people behind him in line at a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru.

I was inspired by Newtown student Ashley Peterson and others who performed#26acts of random kindness in memory of Sandy Hook.

So I've decided to spend the whole day doing 26 small acts of random kindness all over CT.

Hope that others will follow, by doing small acts of kindness throughout the month of December.

1. Kicked off the day by leaving a small @StopandShop gift card for my @USPSletter carrier in the mailbox to say thank you #26Acts

2. Bought coffee for the car behind me in the @DunkinDonuts drive through line#26acts pic.twitter.com/CixMwnpQsX

3. Parking tickets stink. So I added time to expiring meters in downtown Bridgeport. #26acts https://t.co/49EMYHWgNV

4. Thanks to @Goodwillntl for all the great work u do! Dropped off a few coats.pic.twitter.com/GRzuWHjM6k

5. @chazandaj toy drive is today. Amazing event each yr. Dropped off some Legos (CT company!). pic.twitter.com/Wg4sCMyOEj

6,7. Donated food to St. Paul & St. James pantry, got coffee for guys on the New Haven green.

Latest #26acts included book donations in Middletown, coffee for DMV workers, playing board games at Colchester senior center.

Thanks to @ctchildrens for making stop number 10 so special. #26actspic.twitter.com/yaAdYjRdgv

Learning lots today. Gave donuts to our office parking attendant, told me he lived in Somali refugee camp from age 5-15. Whoa. #26acts

2 pizzas for our everyday heroes at @hfdfiredept Engine 11. #26actspic.twitter.com/hmOV7Sj9di

#26acts update: paid for laundry for family at Hartford laundromat; coffee for Wethersfield library workers; made donation to @cthumane

Best #26acts of day? Number 18: delivering flowers to my Mom who is laid up w an ankle injury.

This was fun. Handed out Westfarms gift cards to the employees at the mall Sbarro's. pic.twitter.com/F5IZVAh2Dh

Latest #26acts: bought a round of drinks at the Waterbury VFW bar, pizza for Waterbury police, a tank of gas for a random stranger.

Last round of #26acts included donation to @WFP, letting my staff go 45 min early, coffee for our building's security guards.

Finished #26acts in #Newtown. Lit a candle at St. Rose. Whispered a little prayer. pic.twitter.com/hH1WBj3OcO