It is a proven fact that positive people are happier people and smile more often...I try and be one of those people as often as possible.
However, seeing someone smile because of something I have done, makes me the very happiest I can be.
We all have homeless people in our community and yes, some are actually homeless by choice. I've talked to them, I know this for a fact. However, by choice or not, winter is a tough time of year.How often have you seen the same person pushing a shopping card full of his/her worldly possessions ? How often have you thought about giving him/her a warm coat you've outgrown?
We all know of someone in our community who is struggling, a Dad who lost his job, a single Mom struggling to feed her children. How often do we think "I wish I could do something"...What do you suppose would be the reaction on their faces, if they woke up one day and found a bag of groceries on the porch or a couple of wrapped gifts on Christmas morning? I'll tell you what the reaction would be..They would first look puzzled, then they would smile. There are small things we can do, anonymously, that are HUGE in another persons life.
I had a bunch of branch slices ( made some into buttons) This year I painted tree's on them and decorated them with Crystals..made little holiday pins...for no special reason, I just figured I give them to friends along the way. I went to a friends Holiday Luncheon yesterday, found out who was going to be there and made up cards for each, with one of those pin's...Of course they were well received and brought smiles to all the faces , but there was one smile that touched my heart. There was a little elderly lady sitting in the corner. I had never met her but I knew she was going to be there and I knew her name was Ruth. There she sat, not really knowing everyone as we exchanged cards. When I handed her the card she looked surprised, when she saw the pin she got this REAL big smile on her face then looked at me and said "I didn't bring anything for you"...I gave her a kiss and said "Oh yes you did and you just gave it to me...your smile"...She got all teary eyed but she kept smiling. I thought to myself, such a tiny little "nothing" really made some ones day...How great is that?
When I got home I realized we have gifts EVERYWHERE, mostly for the kids and grand kids and I'll bet none of it will be as special as that "nothing" gift was to Ruth.
In lieu of cards this year (although I will still probably send out some special ones :) I've adopted soldiers one each for WW, WLS, Fabric Arts group, Fiber arts groups,and friends. One each for 3 very special friends and one from us. The soldiers share these boxes and while it may be less expensive to send cards, sending cards wouldn't generate as many smiles.
Check out www.anysoldier.com and have a REAL Merry Christmas
