We heat our home with a fireplace only ...
Having a warm fireplace heart greet you at the door is very special!
I was reading through Michelle's blog "Yesterday's Trash". Last week, a friend of Michelle's did a blog post about Random Acts of Kindness. She pointed out that the holidays were a perfect time to give the gift of kindness, and shared her own personal Christmas story. Michelle then shared her own beautiful story that made me smile - through my tears.
It also made me think about a story similar to her own ... that happened to me just after my brother passed away nearly 10 years ago.
First, you need to know that my brother was a "bum". Yep, the kind you see on the street corners, or out picking up cans to eek out a living. He was a criminal, having spent a number of years in jail.
He had been "clean" for several years, holding down a good job, living in a small trailer at my parents' house.
Then the cancer came and took Dow away. It was nearly unbearable. At his funeral, drug dealers rubbed shoulders with preachers and missionaries. That's the way Dow was. He accepted everyone where they stood, no matter who they were.
Several weeks after Dow died, I left a convenience store with a cup of coffee. One of the local "bums" was standing outside, counting change into his dirt encrusted hand. He looked longingly at my coffee and asked me if I had 17 cents. "That's all I need for a cup," he explained.
Usually I would have said "NO!" and walked away. But there was something about him ...
I reached into my pocket, and pulled out what change I had.
I counted out one dime, one nickel and two pennies.
Exactly 17 cents.
And gave it to him.
For my brother.
What random acts of kindness have come your way?
I would love to hear your stories!!!
Having a warm fireplace heart greet you at the door is very special!
I was reading through Michelle's blog "Yesterday's Trash". Last week, a friend of Michelle's did a blog post about Random Acts of Kindness. She pointed out that the holidays were a perfect time to give the gift of kindness, and shared her own personal Christmas story. Michelle then shared her own beautiful story that made me smile - through my tears.
It also made me think about a story similar to her own ... that happened to me just after my brother passed away nearly 10 years ago.
First, you need to know that my brother was a "bum". Yep, the kind you see on the street corners, or out picking up cans to eek out a living. He was a criminal, having spent a number of years in jail.
He had been "clean" for several years, holding down a good job, living in a small trailer at my parents' house.
Then the cancer came and took Dow away. It was nearly unbearable. At his funeral, drug dealers rubbed shoulders with preachers and missionaries. That's the way Dow was. He accepted everyone where they stood, no matter who they were.
Several weeks after Dow died, I left a convenience store with a cup of coffee. One of the local "bums" was standing outside, counting change into his dirt encrusted hand. He looked longingly at my coffee and asked me if I had 17 cents. "That's all I need for a cup," he explained.
Usually I would have said "NO!" and walked away. But there was something about him ...
I reached into my pocket, and pulled out what change I had.
I counted out one dime, one nickel and two pennies.
Exactly 17 cents.
And gave it to him.
For my brother.
What random acts of kindness have come your way?
I would love to hear your stories!!!
