Think about it: over 37 million people of all ages in our country are suffering from the ravages of poverty. These are men, women, and children off all ethnic backgrounds. They are healthy or unhealthy, mentally unstable or perfectly stable, families or individuals, unable to work or have been “downsized” and can’t find work. In short, poverty can strike anyone at any time–and it has. We can’t fix our economy overnight, but those of us who are fortunate enough not to be part of the 37 million can help through our donations not just of money but of time. Everyone has a little time to give. If serving at a soup kitchen takes more than you have, how about spending a few extra minutes while you grocery shop to shop for food items for those kitchens, or bake extra cookies for a shelter while you’re baking for your family. If you don’t have time to help a local charity pack sack lunches for the homeless, you probably do have a minute to smile and say “Hi” to the homeless man outside the store, thus letting him know that he’s recognized as a human being rather than an objectionable object. After your daughter’s softball game, when you go with the team to pizza, you have a second to invite along as your family’s guest the girl who can’t afford to go. In other words, poverty can be fought on the human level–one human being to another. And you fight the battle in little ways. As I always say, Small things really DO count!
Tag Archive for daughter
Let Children Unearth an Old Idea
Children of all ages love to discover things, even more so as they get older. Tell your teenage son, for example, that it’s important to care for the earth and he’ll tell you how old and uncool you are; let him discover it for himself and he’ll think his generation invented the idea. Here’s where books come in. For young children, have environment-related picture and story books available for rest- and bed-times. Later, when they’re ready for browsing the library, lead them to books emphasizing earth-friendly themes. When it’s book-report time, suggest a paperback that’s interesting and easy to read, one that, incidentally, promotes caring for the earth. The librarian at school or the public library can suggest titles. Feel free to contact me for a starter-list of age-appropriate books. Maybe your children didn’t really invent the idea of caring for their planet, but they’ll become adults who will reinvent the world as a cleaner, healthier home for us all.
Miracle: Just a Reach Away
Miracles do happen. Sometimes they’re big, sometimes they’re little. I just witnessed one that had a huge impact on the life of a man I know.
He went through a bitter divorce 40+ years ago, and the unfortunate happened: his ex-wife preferred that he have no contact with his two children. Some years back, the adult son sent him a note, inviting his dad to contact him and get to know him, his wife, and his child. Miracle #1. But the son didn’t tell his sister, who, along with their mom, had no warm and fuzzy thoughts about the dad. A few days ago, for some reason, that changed. Brother told sister, and together they called their father. It had been 27 years since father and daughter talked, and a new relationship is building. All it took was one person’s reaching out to another, willing to accept what they find.
Soap-opera-ish? Maybe. Then again, you didn’t see the tears in the father’s eyes. And you probably don’t believe in everyday miracles….Too bad.