Image by TheCamerons / www.flickr.com
All of my boys love to help me make cookies; of course it is just for the sheer joy of helping, nothing to do with the taste test opportunities along the way. But, it is always fun to bake together and especially when we are doing it for others. These cookies would be delivered to several “grandparents” we know.
We headed out, each boy holding a plate of ‘fresh from the oven’ cookies on their lap. Our first stop was so wonderful as we sat out in the sunshine and talked with one of the kindest couples we know. As we continued on our journey the boys shyly handed over their plate of cookies to each ‘grandparent.’ The last house we visited belonged to a very sweet widow. She lives all alone and is far away from any family. She opened the door with a great big smile and an endless stream of “thank you’s.” We had also brought her a stack of Readers Digest magazines as I had recalled her saying on an outing together how much she enjoyed reading them in the doctor’s office. She was so grateful for these small acts of kindness. To us it was such a simple thing, but to her it brightened her whole day!
As we left and hopped in the car our three year old, who is often very shy, called out “Bye, I love you Grandma!” That was a huge thing for him and so spontaneous, a tender moment I will treasure. He knew why we were there, and he had fully accepted her as his adopted Grandma!
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Chantelle lives in beautiful British Columbia with her husband and their four children. Together they enjoy many adventures, boating, skiing, motor-biking, camping and hiking, to name a few. But the little things are just as important: the pillow fights, dancing around the house, the late-night talks and snuggling up together to read a good book.
Her passion is educating kids, parents and educators about leading by example, making a difference, and living a life based on key values. Her company,
Foundations for Success, has given her the perfect outlet to share this passion with the world.
Ever since she was a little girl, she has wanted to make a difference in the world and knows that raising four strong, responsible, compassionate children is helping her achieve that dream. Giving back in simple ways is one thing that has drawn her family closer and has provided countless moments of joy. Currently her children are spending their spare time raising money to build a school in Africa with Free the Children. Her desire to make a difference led her to become involved with The Power of Moms as the Director of Family Volunteering.
Motherhood moments that make it all worthwhile are scattered throughout each day and keep her going. The whispered, “I love you, Mom,” the belly-laugh of her four-year-old, and those beautiful moments when her children offer to help without even being asked are simple things that truly make life grand. She is grateful to cross paths with other mothers as we “struggle, laugh, cry and enjoy this journey of motherhood.”
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6 comments
Amy K says:
May 16, 2012
I love how you included your kids. That is wonderful and a great reminder! Thanks for the great article!
Brianna Monson says:
May 16, 2012
That is great! It is so true that the “little things” really aren’t so “little”!!!
Chantelle says:
May 16, 2012
Thanks Amy for your comment! It is so fun to do these things with the kids, it gives them first hand experience in brightening someones day! Take care! Chantelle:)
Chantelle says:
May 16, 2012
It is amazing to me that really if we just slowed down a little more and took time to do these “little” things that life would be much richer. It is the little things in life that make it grand!! Thanks for your comment!!!!:)
April Perry says:
May 16, 2012
I love that you thought to take magazines, too! I want to be better at paying attention to what others really want and need. I rarely make homemade cookies, but I could certainly spend 10 minutes making a visit. We have lots of grandmas on our street that we don’t know very well at all. Thanks for this suggestion. I’m going to assign my oldest daughter to make this happen in our family!
Chantelle says:
May 16, 2012
Thanks April for your comment!!! We do all give in lots of different ways, I love that you can deligate and put your older kids in leadership roles, that is great experience for them as well!! I gave a talk on service in church last Sunday and I talked about the ways we can prepare ourselves for service: be grateful, be humble, live peacefully and be aware. That last can be a tricky one but as we focus on it then it seems as if ways to serve are popping up all over the place! Take care and thanks again!!