Grandpa and this Grandma just returned from what seems to be another stop in the endless stream of holiday parties. At this party, a long (we never say old) friend who works at an agency that assists families and children told us what happened the night before, Christmas Eve. Just before closing, a young mother with three young children appeared at the door. The mother was there to sign the children up for services.
Even though our friend was already half way out the door, she helped the young mother.
One of the children noticed the Christmas tree that had presents, leftover from the holiday party for the agency, under it. The young mother turned to the child and said, “Remember, I told you that Santa sometimes has to skip some homes each year, and this year he has to skip our home.” Our friend took some of the presents from under the tree and handed them to each of the children, now overjoyed and excited that they too would have a Christmas. Our friend then handed the mother a bag of groceries left over from the giving of the day to the families served by the agency. She did not stop there. She handed the young mother bus fare to return home with the children and told her she looked forward to seeing her and the children at the agency again.
Since I returned from this party, I have not stopped thinking how grateful I am for my life, my family, my health, and my grandchildren who have enough to eat and a roof over their heads and more than they realize they need.
It is our job as grandmas to teach gratefulness to our grandchildren. They do not know what they do not know. Each year at holiday time, the grandchildren and I picked from the various giving opportunities on line on UNICEF.
The last few years, after hearing from another long friend about the children in our local community that do not eat on the weekends and how the local Kiwanis Club has a backpack program providing food for children to take home for the weekend, that has been my charity of choice to donate at holiday time on behalf of the grandchildren. Our daughter continues the UNICEF tradition as well in lieu of one night of Chanukah presents. The grandchildren can pick where they want their donation to go and receive a thank you card from UNICEF. When the grandchildren see there are others in need, then they realize to be grateful for what they have.
Teaching gratefulness and becoming grateful has many benefits. According to the Miami Herald, December 23, 2014, “[r]esearch at Harvard, and at major universities in Florida, Texas and California, has proven the mental, emotional and even physical benefits of taking some time each day to be grateful.”
The author, Bob Clark, in “Five Ways to beat Holiday Depression,” says to “[k]eep a gratitude journal. Write a thank you note. Thank someone mentally. It’s a great way to protect your natural joy.” He quotes Mary Baker Eddy, a spiritual healer and author, who “suggested gratitude as an activity: “Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”
This Grandma once started a gratitude journal, but as with all New Year’s resolutions, it swiftly fell by the wayside as life interfered. This time I think I might try dictating into notes on the iphone and see how that works. We can all use “the mental, emotional and even physical benefits of taking some time each day to be grateful.”
I am grateful to have a friend who helped another in need in this holiday season and put a stranger and her children before herself.
I am grateful for the parents of my grandchildren who are teaching their children to be grateful and to give to others less fortunate.
I am grateful that I am in a position to give assistance to others in need.
I am grateful that I am able to share my thoughts and wishes to all of you.
Joy,
Mema
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