Service, hope you don't mind if I share.

Suzyq2u · #1 02/08/11, 04:01 PM

Whenever I hear the song "Coat of many colors" I think of this, I hope you don't mind if I share.

When I was younger my Mother bought a coat for a young man, who's family had no $. We didn't have much money either, and it was much nicer than any coat we had ever owned. But when she met this young man and his family, it was the least she could do.
He deserved a coat that he wouldn't get made fun of in. The family had no running water and she arranged for this young man to have access to services to use as well as finding a new pair of glasses for him and a basket of food for the family for Christmas.
I often wonder if it helped keep him warm and where he might be today, though I wouldn't ever want to embarrass him by telling him who my mother was, suppose it's best to leave it be. But I think about him and his family often, and the gift my mother made to them. What an impact it made on me as a young person to see the giving my mother reached out to them with. She, over the years and to this day has helped hundreds of families in similar ways. Make an effort to teach your children service, it will stick with them for a life time.

bluesky · #2 02/08/11, 04:35 PM

Your mother sounds like a lovely, caring person, and a wonderful example for her children.

Suzyq2u · #3 02/08/11, 04:44 PM

Thank you, she is

The song came on the radio today, and it makes me think of the situation every time. Her service sure made an impact on us.

kasilofhome · #4 02/08/11, 05:37 PM

I just lost it I am sorry. It is that your mother LOOKED for the needs wow. She made it personal to the siduation and I honestly believe that it had to have made more of an impact that a cookie cutter answer to a person in need.

Suzyq2u · #5 02/08/11, 05:50 PM

She does a beautiful job. Always has shoe boxes full of trinkets for the kids at Christmas for her church and back to school. She patiently waits for the sales, and buys every bit she managed to scrape up. When they lived in a busier town, she fed the day laborers lunch. I'm never cease to be amazed at the things she gathers for others.

Horseyrider · #6 02/08/11, 06:06 PM

Not all real angels have wings; sometimes they walk among us.

God bless her for her kindness.

Homely · #7 02/08/11, 06:40 PM

That is beautiful.

Pony · #8 02/08/11, 07:44 PM

Thank you for sharing your mother's excellent example with us.

barnyardgal · #9 02/08/11, 08:07 PM

The world could use more people like your dear mom!!
Thanks!!

**clovis** · #10 02/09/11, 12:50 AM

What a great story, Suzyq.

Your story is touching to me, not only because that your mom helped someone in need, but because my mother has done the same thing for years. In all my life, I've never heard her complain one single time about giving, nor has she ever looked for or accepted credit for her kind deeds.

Wildwood Flower · #11 02/09/11, 12:54 AM

What a beautiful story about your mother.

My mother was the same way. It was her constant joy to find little ways to be thoughtful to people. It made a big impression on me too, and I can say that all of her 16 grandchildren have turned out to be kind people as well. So it goes on and on.

grannygardner · #12 02/09/11, 07:59 AM

Your mother sounds like a very lovely, warm hearted person.

grammea · #13 02/09/11, 08:13 AM

Thanks so much for sharing!
What a legacy!
God bless,
Helen(grammea)

watcher · #14 02/09/11, 09:01 AM

Wonderful story but now what are YOU going to do about those in need around you?

I can tell you there are many in need. Some need a coat, some need a meal and some just need someone they can count on to give guidance in their lives. Of the three very few people are willing to give what is most needed, the guidance. I think its because it takes the most time and effort.

Ok, I'm through you can go on with your lives now.

**clovis** · #15 02/09/11, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

I can tell you there are many in need. Some need a coat, some need a meal and some just need someone they can count on to give guidance in their lives. Of the three very few people are willing to give what is most needed, the guidance. I think its because it takes the most time and effort.

Very true, watcher.

I think that guidance and advice are the hardest to offer. They are the least requested, and any advice or guidance generally not only falls on deaf ears, but also is generally offensive to the recipient.

Suzyq2u · #16 02/09/11, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

Wonderful story but now what are YOU going to do about those in need around you?

I can tell you there are many in need. Some need a coat, some need a meal and some just need someone they can count on to give guidance in their lives. Of the three very few people are willing to give what is most needed, the guidance. I think its because it takes the most time and effort.

Ok, I'm through you can go on with your lives now.

Yes, time and mentoring is a very needed job, everywhere! I do a lot of volunteering with our spouses club (hubby is military). We just moved again so I'm looking for a good place to start

OUVickie · #17 02/09/11, 04:22 PM

Your mother sounds like a wonderful person and it sounds like you learned alot from her example.
I bet she made a wonderful impression on that young man. It helps people to know that others truly care and make sacrifices to help.
I was raised like that too. I remember years ago my mother telling me she was proud of my brother for giving his nice, down-filled coat to a guy that was in class with him at a tech school and didn't have one - it was cold and snowy that winter. My brother was a divorced/single Dad and didn't have the money to buy one for the guy, but he knew he had another coat at home. He said it was the least he could do. I thought that was so awesome.
Kids learn by example and it's great to hear stories about people like your Mom. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Goat Servant · #18 02/09/11, 05:05 PM

Suzyq thanks for triggering memories of mine.

When I was about 4 that Christmas a neighbors house burned to the ground. I had received two dollies. Mom says, "You have two nice dolls & Jane has none. Which one do you want to give her?"
Now & then we would stop by a family's shack of a home. We were poor ourselves but this place was a one room shanty with sheets instead of walls. Even the bathrm.
I could read Mom's intention as she suddenly got up saying she needed a drink of water & investigated cupboards as she searched for a glass.
There is a picture of me & one of their children with Santa. My own children need to hear the story behind it.

Thanks again for this.

Pony · #19 02/09/11, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

Wonderful story but now what are YOU going to do about those in need around you?

I can tell you there are many in need. Some need a coat, some need a meal and some just need someone they can count on to give guidance in their lives. Of the three very few people are willing to give what is most needed, the guidance. I think its because it takes the most time and effort.

Ok, I'm through you can go on with your lives now.

Watcher, I have a feeling that the OP is certainly following in mom's footsteps, but is concerned that it would be rather like bragging to share what she's done.

She wasn't out to toot her own horn, but sharing something wonderful about her mum - and I am sure that, since it had such a powerful impact on her, she is passing along the lessons she learned.

LisaInN.Idaho · #20 02/09/11, 08:26 PM

I saw this on FB yesterday:

There really are saints among us.