Sharing With Sheffield
It’s that time of the year again, when people are planning what gifts to buy, for whom, and how much to spend! Newspaper articles are written about use-less gifts we buy and the exorbitant amounts we spend. The suggestion is, that, instead, we open our hearts rather than our wallets. A few holidays back, I wrote about this in my own column, giving thought to “The Gift of Caring” giving TIME and LOVE and ATTENTION to someone who is in need. The list of suggestions, particularly in Communities in which we give, is endless; but to mention a few … visiting a shut-in, bringing a meal or a cake or a book, relieving a caregiver for an hour or two, running er-rands, taking the person shopping or for a ride … This whole concept was brought to mind so vividly just recently, when we all endured the fright and effort of preparing for Hurricane Matthew. Truth to tell, many of us were alone and feeling useless. Well, in my case, along came Sheffield Good Samaritan, Steve Toback, who called me shortly after arriving from his summer hiatus to make sure I was well and prepared for Matthew. He went out and purchased the updated batteries I needed for my various hurricane-related gadgets, installed them, and then checked the house to make sure it was storm-ready. Afterwards, I learned that he had visited the homes of 2 other neighbors to check their needs. This is the essence of “The Gift of Caring.” Steve gave me a gift I will never forget. (If you encountered Good Samaritans during the hurricane crisis, let me know and I will gladly publish your stories.) In recognition of the holiday season and the giving of gifts that cost nothing and give pleasure, I am giving you “The Gift of Words.” They are not my words this time, but those of a very bright columnist who knew how to take the thoughts and feelings of his constituents and turn them into simplistic, meaningful abbreviated language that captured their essence and made us nod and smile in agreement. Andy Rooney from CBS’s 60 Minutes, was that guy. He always spoke about what he learned. Listen to him! Learn from him! He was a stellar word master!
I’ve Learned …
- That when you’re in love, it shows.
- That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
- That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
- That being kind is more important than being right.
- That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
- That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in any other way.
- That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
- That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
- That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
- That money doesn’t buy class.
- That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
- That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
- That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
- That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
- That love, not time, heals all wounds.
- That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
- That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
- That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
- That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
- That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
- That I wish I could have told my mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
- That one should keep his words both softer and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
- That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
- That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.
- That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
- That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
Pithy truisms from a master!
To all of our readers, a happy, healthy holiday season, and New Year!