Today…….
Today, my son turned 7 and I turned 23. Yes, I had him on the day I turned 16. The choices I made when I was a teenager were foolish, and sometimes I get worried I’m bringing my son up wrong. But today I took him to the park to celebrate our birthdays. He played for hours with a girl who has burn scars that cover most of her face. When my son took a break to eat, he pointed to her and said, “She’s so pretty and cool!” Which left me thinking, “I must be doing something right as a mom.”
Today, I found an old hand written note my mom wrote when she was a senior in high school. On it is a list of qualities she hoped she would someday find in a boyfriend. The list is basically an exact description of my dad, who she didn’t meet until she was 27.
Today, as I pulled into my apartment complex I noticed my neighbour, who’s about 8 months pregnant, struggling with her groceries. I stopped and helped her bring them up the stairs into her apartment. This evening, when I got home from the gym I found a freshly baked apple pie sealed in Tupperware sitting on my doorstep with a note that said, “I used the ingredients you helped me carry to bake this. Enjoy!”
Today, on our 10th wedding anniversary, my wife handed me a suicide note she wrote when she was 22. It was dated the exact day we met each other. And she said, “For all these years I didn’t want you to know how foolish and unstable I was back when we met. But even though you didn’t know, you saved me. Thank you.”
Today, the homeless man who used to sleep near my condo showed up at my door wearing the business suit I gave him nearly 10 years ago. He said, “I have a home, a job, and a family now. 10 years ago I wore this business suit to all my job interviews. Thank you.”
Today, when I opened my store at 5AM there was an envelope sitting on the floor by the door. In the envelope was $600 and a note that said, “Five years ago, I broke into your store at night and stole $300 worth of food. I’m sorry. I was desperate. Here’s the money with 100% interest.” Interestingly, I never reported the incident to the cops because I assumed that whoever stole the food really needed it.
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Senior Chatters
An interesting and thought provoking bunch of stories.
Wow polly, great blog, very powerful insights there, thank you xxx
Beautifully worded blog, thanks for sharing, Polly. xxx
Its a reminder to take notice of all our actions or meetings, however insignificant we think they are, may change a persons life, including our own.
Glad you enjoyed reading. 🙂
I try giving all the time, whether it be a homemade meal, donations, clothing, baked goods… I’m constantly giving. I have been feeding my neighbor for the last four years… lol. She is the one who just got married in September and HATES to cook. I am constantly baking for the Emergency Dept. staff; one doctor who has not met me… wants to marry me. LOL He loves a particular pastry that I make.
I sometimes think that I’ve given too much… if that makes sense. People tend to take or have taken advantage of me for my giving. I only hope I make others happy by this method of giving.
Pam, you need but touch one heart, or one soul with your giving. I would say you’ve gone way beyond that count. As for those who seem to be taking advantage, perhaps they cherish your gifts but do know how to say thank you. You have touched them as well. Don’t change. Love, Jackie
‘Blessed is the hand that giveth and the one that taketh’. I enjoy giving too as it gives me inner satisfaction that I have filled a need gap in someone’s life . Thank you Pam for sharing this as I thought I had a weakness I needed to overcome.From your experience I realize I am fine- sharing is a joy
Great blog Polly…..
Polly, you have reminded us of the greatest gift of all…LOVE. anything given or done with love will always come back to us. Love, Jackie xxx
Polly what a lovely and thought provoking blog, thank you for the gentle reminder, that however much we try, it is always possible to try just that little bit harder x
this is one great blog pollypie.
Wow!!!!
Knowing these words have touched you in a deep way, is very pleasing. Thanks
wow pollypie wonderful that was…a right good read loved it 😀 🙂 🙂