Giving

Earlier this year one of our good friends was injured in an accident.  On a random day in the middle of the week during his regular routine, life was altered for him forever.  The journey that he and his family have been on since that day has been long, and rough, and also fragile.  As the ground is starting to settle under their feet they are beginning to get their bearings.  They are holding on to one another and doing their best to shift from survival mode to their new reality.  

Although it has been a difficult process, they have faced their adversity head on and they have been lifted up by the hands of others.  So many people showing them so much kindness has been the recurring theme from day one.  It has been rewarding to witness the selfless acts of others.  I truly believe that the gift of service is just something that is so precious.  It is not only beneficial to the person on the receiving end, but the goodness it does for the spirit of the giver is equally wonderful.  The euphoria one receives when contributing to another out of love is a contagious feeling.  I believe that as we give, we want to do it more.  We want to continue experiencing the good feelings of helping our fellow man, and that goodness that we feel through doing so is such a reward.  I saw this again when they held a fundraiser for our friend and his family to help pay for the medical expenses he has incurred.  The best part was that my children saw it too.  As soon as we arrived they could feel it.  They could feel the joy that giving to someone out of love brought.  They could feel the energy of goodness in this place, and they couldn't wait to participate and experience it themselves.  They made their rounds through the event to find the best place to donate their money, and they had fun doing it.  I watched Seej guard several items that she placed bids on in the silent auction, and Lou and Doop could not wait to get their faces painted and of course buy some cotton candy.  We spent the day in this place together watching people come together out of love for this family.  We experienced the joy in giving to someone we care about, and my kids caught the vision of what life is really about.  

"The giving of love is an education in itself." -Eleanor Roosevelt