Personal Reflections on a Saturday Morning

Ladies, I do not know if you have the same habits as I do, but I typically wake up super early. I have done this for years because when my daughter was younger this was Mommy’s quiet time. I drink my coffee, and I have just a little bit of me time. As the years have gone on, and my daughter has grown older, I still use this as “my time”. Today, I pondered Christmas, as well as, generosity because the other day my daughter saw a homeless man by Starbucks. I was not going to stop because I did not have any cash on hand in my car. She said “No mom I have money in my backpack.” We stopped, and she rolled down the window and gave the gentleman her own money. I was proud to see my daughter do what I had always done when I had the cash with me. We lived in Houston for five years, and believe me ladies that is a city where you will have your heart broken over all the homeless people. Then I wondered if people would have their heart broken over that. Have we gotten so cynical in society today that we just naturally assume people begging for money are fake? When I lived in Houston I made sure always to carry cash every day in my car. It was impossible for me to pass up a homeless person and not give them a dollar. Many people told me through the years that I was stupid for always giving to the homeless because “those” people probably just did it to either get high, drunk or pay their rent. However, it never stopped me from doing it, and watching my daughter imitate me brought a smile to my heart. She did not stop to assume he was fake. She merely gave because she could. I am not saying that you ladies should do the same because we all have our own perspectives on this subject.

If you do not feel comfortable giving to the homeless then give to a charity. When you see the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) stop and give them a few dollars. Better yet give them a few dollars, and take time out of your day to thank them for their service to our country. When you see the Salvation Army dancing a jig outside Wal-Mart give them your change. This brings my thoughts back to Christmas. I have very strong opinions over this holiday. That may sound strange to you ladies because you may not have “strong opinions” over this festive occasion. When I was younger, I had a boss named John C. Stubbs, and to this day he is still one of the men I whole-heartedly respect and admire. Mr. Stubbs was a generous man with a kind heart and soul. A memory that has stuck with me was a Christmas that Mr. Stubbs adopted a family at Christmas. I and two other employees went to Wal-Mart and filled up buggies for this family. We wrapped the presents, and then we waited. One day a few weeks before Christmas, Mr. Stubbs donned a Santa hat, and we all loaded up in his suburban. We drove to a home that was in a housing complex, and we all piled out to go and deliver the presents and food to the family. To this day, I still remember the look in Mr. Stubbs’ eyes when this gentle giant of a man stood in their tiny living room watching the kids and parents. Just to make you understand what kind of man Mr. Stubbs was here is another memory. My grandparents raised me, and while I was still working for Mr. Stubbs my grandmother passed away. I was devastated because she was the woman that raised me, and she might as well have been my mother. I loved her deeply, and I was lost when she passed away. I was standing in the cemetery right before it was time to bury my grandmother, and I remember seeing Mr. Stubbs get out of his vehicle. Ladies, he did not know my grandmother. All he knew is that she was precious to me, and he made sure to take time out of his day to support me in my time of need. For that, I have been forever grateful.

Ladies, these events occurred well over 15 years ago, and they are memories I have kept and cherished since then. In fact, these are memories that will live a lifetime with me, and they are memories that also give me “strong opinions” about Christmas and generosity to others. These are memories that always remind me to give to those in need because I am blessed to have never gone to bed hungry or cold. I am blessed to have always had nice, clean clothes and a roof over my head. I am blessed that I was able to give the same to my daughter. I am blessed in so many ways that it seems only proper to give to those that have struggled much more than I. I encourage all of you that are financially able to give to people in need. Furthermore, if you are not financially able to give to others then that is nothing to be ashamed of. Give your time. Time is free, and time will give others joy. Call a nursing home and ask to volunteer to read to the elderly. Call a pet shelter and ask to volunteer because animals need kindness as well. When you see someone that may struggle with a door or a cart at the store, take time to help them. Take the time to thank people during the day or engage others in conversations. Even when you are grumpy, put a smile on your face and it will make others smile. We do not have to live perfect lives or have money to burn to brighten someone else’s day. We do not have to choose to only be generous and kind at Christmas because you can make others happy 365 days of the year.

Final thought: I have always donated money and time to help many causes, and I truly believe it is because of the generosity I witnessed John C. Stubbs do in the few years I knew him. I admit that part of the reason I give is for the feeling it gives me. It somehow lightens my heart, and it brings me peace of mind. I suppose that is selfish in a way, but that is okay in my book. I would rather be this way than the type of the selfish person that only thinks of themselves. In the end, what good does it do only to want for yourself and never think of another human? Sure, you may own more “stuff” than another person, but in the end you do not take “stuff” to the grave with you. Live a virtuous life, honor your elders, think of your fellow man. This will allow you to do die with a peaceful soul and heart, and this is the “stuff” that means something in life.