This is the time of year when everyone is giving to this and that. Today I learned that there are people out there that give not just at this time of year, but all the time in their day to day business. I was at the chiropractor earlier and while he was adjusting me we were chit chatting. He was commenting on how the older people that come into his office tend to worry about where they will get their food and depend on some of the local churches for their food. He continued on to say that when they come into him, he adjusts them for free because at 80 years old, who wants to really worry about how they are going to eat, let alone pay other bills including the doctor bills they might incur. I was taken aback by this comment and his thinking. Not because he isn't a nice and generous guy, but because in this day and age, it is sad but true, you don't see that many people being kind like that and donating their time. I know it happens and it isn't supposed to be something that is always shouted from the rooftops, but it's nice to hear about it when it does happen.
When I think about this more I look back to when I was younger and how I was brought up. My parents were always giving. They gave their time to different things whether it was stuff for my brother and I or just volunteering with church or Soap Box Derby. Was it a lot of work, yeah, but they still did it year after year. Heck, my dad STILL volunteers with Soap Box Derby!!
I've also come to see these things happen in my own life. Earlier this school year, when we were looking for transportation for Lizzie to and from school, because of my schedule, one of these volunteering type of people just popped out of the woodwork. She volunteered to take Lizzie even though things weren't ideal for her family at the time, but she still was willing to do that for us. I know it seems like something so small, but it's those small things that really stick out, to me anyway!!
I think that is what frustrates me as a mom and raising my kids in a world where kids talk back to adults and there is no respect let alone that sense of volunteering or giving. That is why my kids learn "please" and "thank you" at such an early age and we stress the importance of manners and giving. During this time of year there are always the bell ringers outside stores and whenever we pass one if I have any spare change in my pocket I always try to put something in the red buckets. We were downtown Seattle doing some shopping and enjoying the holidays when we came across a bell ringer and we stopped what we were doing and gave each of the kids some money to drop into the bucket. Do they understand what exactly they are doing, probably not, but we are planting the seed. One bell ringer even thanked us for teaching our kids to give.
It has also been nice to see how Lizzie is learning in her class about giving. At Thanksgiving they had a big food drive at her school and she came home all excited about needing to take food to give to those that don't have enough. I love seeing that in kids.
So, while this is an important time of year for giving, there is the rest of the year that should not be forgotten. Be thankful for all that you have because there is probably someone out there with not quite as much...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
