Quote of the Day: “Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven.” Henry Ward Beecher
I received a sweet card from my Aunt Barbara last week that said: “You have a wonderful attitude after all you have been thru and I am so very glad that you have conquered cancer.” It made me feel so good that she used those words: “conquered cancer”. It gave me hope that it could be done and this goes right along with what I want to write about today- serving others.
Yesterday, Donna texted me and said “What are some of your favorite things that people did for you to show their love and concern when you were ill?” Of course, my minded flooded with ideas because I really was the recipient of so many kindnesses and gifts from the heart. It seemed appropriate that she sent me this text because I have been thinking of all that was given to me when I was in need and how the seemingly smallest act can have such a huge impact. I certainly have objects all over my house that remind me of how others took care of me. I received flowers, books of all kinds, bread, strawberries and blueberries with yogurt, treats, cookies, dinners, steel-cut oats, clothing, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, figurines, pictures with sayings, beautiful dragonflies in all shapes and sizes and materials, hats, hankies, blessing charms and more. All of these gifts gave me hope and allowed me to rely on others for support. I could relate to the Grinch in that my heart just kept growing and growing as my faith in people was strengthened by the kind acts done for me and my family.
But what touched me the most was the constant caring through cards, phone calls, visits, lunches, shopping trips, yard work help, time spent together walking, really listening- anytime that someone spent with me helped my spirits. I also really appreciated it when someone knew how I felt or what was going on in my life because they had read my blog- just one more way to show they cared. So if I had to sum up for Donna what was the most beneficial, I would say anything that reaches from one heart to another. We always think that we need to show up with something in our hands but truly it is knowing that another is thinking and praying for us and concerned for our welfare. I think if we search for ways to help another we will be guided in our actions but we do have to do the legwork. It’s not enough to just think about another, we have to take action, we have to make the time.
I feel the same way Donna does about being overwhelmed by how to help another. In a lot of ways it takes courage, courage to just show up on someone’s doorstep, worried that we may be overstepping our bounds, that we may be bothering or imposing on another’s privacy, but willing to take that risk to show we care. I always felt grateful for the visits- they left me committed to help others when the tables are turned.
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