Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Joy of Giving
This is the time of year that many of us share needed time with loved ones. We often spend hours at the mall looking for the perfect gift for each person on our shopping list. I enjoy giving more than receiving. I count down the days until I can see the joy on my son’s face as he rips into each present. To me, Christmas isn’t just about giving material items; it’s about giving from the heart. Some of the best presents I’ve ever received or given were priceless. They were random acts of kindness that meant far more than any material possession. They opened my eyes to the important things in life that I often take for granted.
I thought about writing this blog as a letter to Santa. We could have shared our favorite things as Oprah does with her viewing audience once a year, but I wanted to make it more real. I wanted to think outside the box about issues that are often beyond our grasp. Those issues we view on the nightly news, and shake our heads at the atrocity. Issues that we feel are out of our control, but in reality, we know that if we took up a cause we couldn’t save the world, but we might make a difference.
So many elderly people need assistance, not just financially but emotionally. The hospitals and extended care facilities are at capacity with elderly individuals who will never see a family member this Christmas. I’ve been fortunate enough to join church functions that reached out to these individuals, and I have never experienced a more wonderful gift than seeing gratitude and a smile for just singing a Christmas carol.
If your children, nieces, or nephews have used books, consider donating them to your local school or library. They could be a vessel that will foster a desire to read. You can clean off shelves in your home for new Christmas toys and provide another child with the gift that keeps on giving.
If you have teenage children plan a holiday party so they can extend an invitation to several friends. In a nation where teen violence in schools is increasing at an alarming rate, every random act of kindness is needed. The invitation might reach a child that has a disappointing family life. We often don’t realize the magnitude of hospitality.
Have you ever considered volunteering your time to help serve a holiday dinner at a local soup kitchen? If you can’t spare the time, consider giving a donation to a favorite charity or food bank. You will provide funds or a meal to those less fortunate, and benefit from income tax relief.
Do you have a garage or attic full of unwanted Christmas decorations? Find a local charity taking donations, maybe that old star that used to perch on top of your Christmas tree could bring the light back into another family’s Christmas.
Christmas is a time of joy, we don’t want to dispel that fuzzy feeling with a startling peek at how the less fortunate live, but when we take much needed time away from the tinsel and glittering lights, a feeling of even greater joy is unearthed.
I’ve missed the crew, and my cyber peeps. Even though I’ve been pulled away from the writing world by my day job, I’ve missed this world and all of you, tremendously. Hugs all around! Peace and joy to all of you this holiday season.
If you had one wish this holiday season that would affect the nation in a positive manner, what would you wish for?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
13 comments:
Awesome blog, Lisa!
As a mom I was always concerned about scaring or upsetting my children so I tended to shield them from the harsher realities of life. As they grow, my shields are all being destroyed ... what they don't hear from friends, they learn at school now.
Surprisingly, my fears were somewhat unfounded. My daughter gets a little more freaked out than my son but it hasn't damaged them like I had feared *Irish raising her hand - neurotic mother here*. The exact opposite really, they jump at the chance to do their service projects and are always the one to volunteer suggestions about helping the less fortunate. It makes my heart smile when I think about it.
If I could affect the nation in a positive manner I would wish for every person in this country to be sprinkled with fairy tolerance dust. I really believe that if everyone was just a little more tolerant of others the world would be a much better place.
Hey, Lisa! I missed you. And thanks for the blog. It's easy to get so caught up in all the rush and excitement of the holiday that we forget about those most in need of gifts. One of the traditions in our family is having the grands go through their toys in early December and donate the gently used and seldom played with to a local toy drive. It makes them aware of their blessings, it establishes the habit of giving, and it clears the way for all the new toys they'll get from Santa and family and friends.
Before even I was born, on January 6, 1941, FDR talked about the freedom from want in his State of the Union address. If I could have one wish for our country during this season, I'd wish that everyone would be free of want, that everyone would have not only food, warmth, and shelter but also safety, peace, and love.
Lisa - wonderful blog! And we miss you too when you're not hanging out with us. :)
I think this is a really important thing to remember this time of the year. The holidays aren't joyful for many and I've read that depression rates are high this time of year. I think times of trouble and loneliness are magnified now, when we're supposed to be at our happiest and surrounded by those we love and who love us.
I wish for the world to acquire some common sense. For all age groups. I think it would impact the world dramatically.
I’d wish that everyone would be free of want, that everyone would have not only food, warmth, and shelter but also safety, peace, and love.
I like this wish. Except I don't think the majority of people living in the US know what want really is. They might hear the "free of want" speech and think it meant that everyone got a free Wii or iPhone.
They ended Bones last night with the words "Peace on Earth." I think that sums it up completely.
Wonderful blog. Lisa.
What I love most about this blog post is the examples of what can be done to make a difference.
Even though it's cold (17 below this morning), the caring community in my rural area is why I'm thankful my son and I are here. I see first hand neighbors help neighbors in many subtle ways. Free will donations for dinners occur almost weekly - throughout the year, although less in summer. The food is donated and home made - and those who can afford it give $20 (above and beyond) and those who can't, give $1. Technnically, these are fund raisers, but a fund rasier for the next dinner. There is a food shelf with an open door policy, no questions asked, and the shelves are always full - - not a sign of less need, but a sign giving. There is an angel tree program for Christmas, where if you can donate a gift you know it might go to your neighbor's child. The program also provides a complete meal, boxed with all the fixings for a turkey dinner. There is a sliding fee scale program for medical and dental care (provided by a private grant from a paper company)where preventive care is mimimal cost (a co-pay) and a gas voucher is provided for the 40 mile one way trip to the clinic.
I grew up statistically poor, in this very community, but didn't really know it. I think it must have been this way - giving what you can, receiving when you need it, for a long time. I think it's a parent's right to keep some things from their children. When you're poor, the one thing you hold on to most is your pride. This is a good thing. It means an awareness of a give and take. I hope my child will be generous in a big way later in life and in better circumstances. My wish is that he goes to college and lives the "good life" but doesn't forget to give back.
I like this blog. I wish everyone could learn to be kind and considerate to one another. To learn tolerance and acceptance.
I did forget to say I love the idea of visiting nursing homes. I've been meaning to start doing that for years. This would be a good time to finally do it. Kiddo and I don't have any family here and it would be nice to share it with someone in the same situation who would probably appreciate our visit more than anyone to whom I'm blood related.
Melissa - That sounds like a great community. I've been on the receiving end of anonymous support several times in the last five years and am very grateful I'm in a position to give back. Last year we helped feed the homeless at a local church and it was a great experience. I doubt I can even calculate how much kiddo got out of it.
Good Morning crew! This is an awesome blog!
It reminded me of when my children were very young. My husband was working in Oregon, so the kids and I went out there for two months.
There is a very high homeless rate there and my children were confused by a small child living in the park with her parents, behind the shrubs. My kids were 4, 7, 10 at the time. I explained they had no home or toys or all the things my kids had. Well they noticed the little girl had no shoes all the time and begged me to go buy her shoes and toys and candy to leave by the shrubs.
Now mind you I would not hesitate to do this, but at the time things were really tight and we were broke, but I caved and did it. My kids watched from the apartment for hours until the little girl came back and they saw her smiling and twirling and so excited, like Christmas in June. All three of my kids had tears running down their faces! Including my four year old!
They then decided they would leave her a little something each day!! OMG! Now look what I started. So through the summer they left little things for the little girl and one day in the park the mom came up to me alone and reached out taking my hand she said "Thank you". I was so stunned, she knew what the kids were doing and after that, she let the little girl play once in a while with my kids.
My children are all grown now and they are so giving and they are always donating to food shelves, Toys for Tots, Giving trees. Anything that would help a needy child or family.
When my friends ask, how did you instill that in your kids, I tell them , I showed them the lowest point of someones life one time and they never forgot!
I think my wish would be for everyone to be really treated equal, I think we have come along way. But I dont think we are there all the way!
Except I don’t think the majority of people living in the US know what want really is. They might hear the “free of want” speech and think it meant that everyone got a free Wii or iPhone.
Hellie, a couple of years ago, I would have agreed with you. But in my area at least there are many people who are desperate now. We have families in our church who were living a comfortable middle-class life until the economy took a nosedive. Now some of them have been jobless for two years; they've lost savings and homes and cars. Our church benevolence fund has been exhausted because we've helped so many people buy groceries and pay utility bills so they can keep their kids fed and warm. I think want is very real all around us. And I haven't even touched upon those who lack nothing materially but are lonely and hurting and in want emotionally.
I'm gonna be terribly practical... Universal free health care for everyone. Anyone a' us who have known the fear of health bills, a' not knowin' what ya'll do if'n ya really need a hospital... Poor, not so poor, any a' us...that fear is so basic, and so gut wrenchin'...
I would wish fer all universal free health care for the world. If ya need help, ya gets it. Period. Mental health, physical health, fitness programs, senior programs...we needs 'em all!
And in the meantime, give food when ya can, give toys when ya can, give anythin' when ya can. All year.
Safety. I read so many stories about abuse and neglect, hunger and fear. I wish a safe place for every living creature on earth. So much, in fact, that I pray about it every day, and I donate a portion of my royalties to a domestic shelter.
If you have a few dollars to spare, The Shade Tree Shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada would love to hear from you. It's a shelter for women, children and their pets, and it's such a wonderful, worthy cause, I had to share it with you all.
Peace and Joy,
Laura
Post a Comment