Christmas Letter to My Grandchildren December, 2013

To my Grandchildren:

My Christmas wish for you and for your future is that you will be a blessing to others.    You are already a blessing to your mom and dad and to your grandfather and to me just because you are YOU, your own unique self.   My hope is that you will become increasingly sensitive to the needs of others and to respond when you see the need.

A case in point:    On Thursday mornings, I visit with a group at McDonald’s and a friend there excels in this sort of thing.   As you know, many older people gather at McDonald’s in the early mornings.   Linda is always quick to notice if someone who has poor vision is struggling to take the lid off of her yogurt or if someone who walks with a cane has spilled something and needs help carrying her tray.    Once she noticed the pallor and 
weakness of a gentleman who was having very low blood sugar and brought it to the attention of others who gave him juice to drink.   Linda is not a nurse or a social worker;  for some people, these traits are just part of their inborn character.

But anyone who sets their mind to it can be alert and aware of what is going on around them.   Notice people and what they are doing.   If you see someone struggling to find the sleeve of the jacket they are putting on, help them.   If someone drops their books, help them.   If a mother is trying to push a stroller through the door, open it.    Assist with 
carrying a heavy package.

If someone looks distressed, ask “Are you OK?”     Perhaps they will share a sad story. . .”My parents are getting divorced” or “I have to move to another city.”   All you have to say is something like “That sounds hard.”    If there has been a death in someone’s family, a simple “I’m sorry.   I know you will miss him”   is quite enough.
Sometimes just a pat on the back or a sincere smile is quite enough.

In the Bible, we are told to “Love thy neighbor.”    Small acts of caring add up to a message of love and concern.   Christmas blessings to you,

                                                                                                                         Grandma