Holiday Adventure

The need to make a difference has been a focus of mine for a long time. I look for something, anything I can do to ease the hard-aches of life for anyone.

This Holiday Season we went out on our annual Adventure. We chose Goodwill as the recipient our goodwill. The morning started with shopping for gifts at Target, then festively wrapping them. Gift certificates at Goodwill are still hand written and we needed $10's, $20's and one $50. Patience was part of the day.

Two days before Christmas, ready and excited we entered the store. My responsibility was giving away the gifts to all employees. They were surprised, joyous and very grateful. My sister and grandchild were giving away gift certificates to anyone shopping inside. People were surprised and grateful. There was the woman in the winter wear aisle who explained through her tears, that she didn't have a coat and now could buy one. It was 15 degrees that day. The homeless man was grateful for his neck warmer and cried when we gave him a fluffy white blanket. He said now he had a gift to give his daughter. After more tears and hugs we left the store. I took with me much more than I left behind. The need as well as the gratitude was humbling.

Thank you to my sister Carol and grandchild Dakota for participating, and to wine night women who contributed to the fund that enabled us to what we did.

Library

We are living through some divisive and trying days. I believe that at times like these we need more compassion and understanding yet at times like these that is difficult to comprehend.

Humans are born with the capacity for compassion but it needs to be cultivated. I want to develop that in myself and help others to do the same. I want to make a difference in the world.  Even small things can make a change in someone’s attitude.  The only thing I want in return is occasionally, acknowledgement that I did indeed make a difference for someone.  Being cheered on would be very welcome too.

I’ll tell you what I did the other day. Upset about the election, I didn’t want to talk to anyone but I needed to do something. I printed this: You haven’t met me but based on your choice of literature, I think we would be friends. I made ten copies. With those and ten one dollar bills, I went to the library. I spent about a half hour looking up some of the books that have made an impact on my life. I deposited a note and a dollar in each book. Not wanting anyone to see what I was doing, I felt like a thief in the night, sneaking around.  It was enjoyable to revisit some of my old favorites. I left feeling better, knowing that ten people, at some point, will be getting a small gift that is meant to brighten their day.