Generosity - from me and from thee
“You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.” Audrey Hepburn Actor and UNICEF representative
A long table is covered with breads, cheeses, sliced ham and bologna, mayonnaise and mustard. It’s an assembly line set up to make sandwiches for the homeless. A young woman stands at one end, surrounded by 12 joking men.
“Okay, what do I do?” asks one. “Do I put mustard on all the bread?” asks another. “I always put on the cheese. I know how much to put on,” says a third. Soon, the cheerful volunteers have their assembly line rolling along. The young woman cheers them on. Their guest is justifiably impressed.
Later Kathy, an Occupational Therapist, speaks of her patients. “A family member heard of a church that makes lunches for the homeless; they wanted to do it, too. They’ve been doing it for six months; it really lifts their spirits. Who are they? Well, Joe was a scientist in the space industry. He sometimes remembers a little bit about those days. Murray was a Colonel in the US Marines. He was quite a hero in Viet Nam. Does he remember those days? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. They all like Mondays. After lunch, a dancer comes to dance with them. Joe loves to dance. Mike does, too. Mike’s daughter says he won awards dancing. Come on, they want us to eat with them. They are so proud of this work they do.”
The 12 well dressed, attractive men ranging from middle age to mid-sixties are Alzheimer’s patients in a Day Care program. The program helps caretakers get a break while the men receive stimulation not otherwise available. It is obvious that this weekly act of charity for others truly lights up their lives.
Meditation for the Day
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Action for the Day
Somewhere, somehow, someone can use my hands today. How can I add my drop to this ocean of humanity – and by doing so, add more depth to my own humanity?
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