The Pelican - a symbol of charity and generosity. Photo by Trudy Snope
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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill
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Sitting at a solid wood table, John and Carol are laughing. Carol raises her arm,” Oh, I want to tell a story, but I don’t know how to tell it... We were at JOANN - the craft store. And, we were laughing and carrying on!” She turns to John.
“Oh, we were,” he says grinning sheepishly - almost blushing.
John and Carol were married 60 years ago this past September. She at 17, he at 18.
“Yeah, we were damn young,” grins Carol.
To sit with John and Carol is to sit with 60 years of love. In their presence, the room glows like a spring morning.
“The premium paper was on sale - 12 sheets for $2.00. Premium paper, origami paper, all the colors,” Carol intones.
John adds, “Yes, we were counting it out and we had reached 9 sheets and trying to decide what the next color.”
They have worked hard, raised three kids, and live a comfortable retirement. Carol puts her hand on John’s forearm and waits for him to finish his sentence.
He raises his free palm, “We were not dressed very well.”
“Oh no, we had not planned to go out, not good at all,” Carol shakes her head.
Health is the first wealth. John and Carol have it - wealthy in mind, body, and spirit. He volunteers at the hospital and she teaches English as a Second Language.
Carol turns serious, “A woman was watching us and she comes towards us...”
John’s eyes are wide open, “And, she handed me rolled up money and said, ‘You take this. Please.’”
Carol is shocked, “$2.00! I guess the way we were dressed and the way we acting…” she looks to John.
“When someone offers you money like that, you have to take it…,” John looks to Carol.
Carol says plaintively, “We did not want to refuse it and embarrass her.”
John lights up, “So, now we have two extra dollars and we start to gather 12 more pieces of paper...”
Carol, “And, we are laughing and carrying on…”
“And, the woman comes back and gives us two more dollars!” says John. “It was embarrassing and heart-warming at the same time.”
“Yes, and it makes you want to do something for someone else! “ Carol looks to John, “I wonder what we will do?”
Indeed. Happy New Year - what will you do?
How about you? When did you feel the generosity of others? How did you pay it forward? What are your plans for the New Year? Share a story.
