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!
I love how you included your kids. That is wonderful and a great reminder! Thanks for the great article!
That is great! It is so true that the “little things” really aren’t so “little”!!!
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:)
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!!!!:)
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!
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!!