Businesses give gift of compassion

I have always been fortunate on Christmas. Ever since childhood, Santa Claus repeatedly has bestowed me with fabulous gifts deserved only by the 100 percent nice, which I am not.

Can you say occasional bursts of Irish temper?

Although I remain unsure why Santa seems to look so favorably in my direction, I have always been grateful.

But never so much as this year, but for a different reason.

In times past, Santa has left a bounty of material goods under my tree from Chester County chain stores such as Target in East Whiteland, Kohl’s in Exton and Stein-Mart in Downingtown.

He also did a lot of splurging in my behalf in shops in downtown West Chester and Malvern such as Kaly and Noto Bene.

And let me not forget some of his favorite Paoli haunts, particularly Chico’s.

Isn’t it amazing how much shopping Santa does after he leaves the North Pole?

This year, good old St. Nick left me early and unexpected presents: compassion from several local business contacts regarding a major illness-related economic downturn I suffered in 2016.

Simply put, for the first time since I became a self-employed corporate trainer more than two decades ago, I fell behind paying my bills. I have been struggling to solve a major cash-flow problem. Embarrassing, huh? But there it is. Upon learning of my financial crunch a few months ago, one of my vendors called and said he was writing off a $3,000 debt. Another paid a $700 bill for me. A third refused to accept a small check offered as partial payment.

Several mentioned how extraordinarily generous I had been to them in the past. Told you I was lucky, didn’t I? To be sure, everyone has not acted with such compassion.

The most surprising is a woman I have done business with for more than 20 years, always writing a check at the time of purchase.

In contrast, I often wait to get paid for work I have done and expenses I have incurred for as much as 90 days.

For some crazy, illogical, emotional reason, perhaps because she once shared that she was barely making business ends meet when she first opened, I thought this woman of all people would empathize with my plight.

Instead, she has begun adding interest to her $1,000-plus invoice. But you know what? As sad as the situation makes me feel, I know full well that

this woman owes me absolutely nothing in the way of understanding.

Besides, on today of all days, I want to rejoice in the unexpected and heartwarming caring of the three people I mentioned earlier.

Although I am strapped for money at the moment, I have tried to follow their lead in spreading kindness this holiday season.

Care to join me now through the new year? Some ideas:

• Provide warmth. During the winter, many forprofit and non-profit organizations collect jackets and blankets to help warm homeless and other

suffering people. One site is the BJ’s store in Downingtown, which has a large box stationed at the front door. It will be there through Jan. 1. Last week, I put in several down vests and wool peacoats.

• Donate to animal shelters. Without thinking through the responsibilities of pet ownership, parents sometimes give dogs and cats to their children for Christmas. After all, they think, what could be cuter than a puppy squirming out of a brightly wrapped box? In January, when the novelty wears off, many of these animals no longer are wanted. As a result, the Chester County SPCA and other refuges have a great need for items such as used blankets and towels to comfort these throwaways while they

wait, please God, for their forever homes.

• Share your history. My sister recently mentioned that her five grandchildren have no link to our mother and father, who were their great-grandparents. My sister noted that once she and I die, all the memories will be lost forever. So guess what I am writing about this week? Mommy and Daddy, I hope I can do you justice.

• Make stuff. Before my current financial morass, I took the easy gifting way out and bought something ready made. This year, I am resurrecting a talent for embroidery that I inherited from that fabulous mother I just mentioned. An entrepreneur way ahead of her time, she used to monogram initials on the shirts, ties and

even underwear of Philadelphia luminaries such as actress Grace Kelly’s male relatives.

• Use the phone. More often than not, I now use texting as my first choice in communication. If the truth be known, I have slipped into that habit because of its convenience for me – not for the recipient. This coming week, I plan to use my voice to friends and family I happen to know they enjoy hearing it.

• Listen. Back in the 1990s, “The Road Less Traveled” by Scott Peck spent about a year on the New York Times bestseller list. One of the chapters focused exclusively on listening. The first paragraph said that really paying attention to another person’s words and feelings

was the biggest gift one human being could give to another. My holiday goal: focus entirely on what the other person is saying instead of how I am going to respond.

• Provide housing. Through my church, I recently learned of a woman in need of a home. Felled by illness just as I have been, she no longer is able to make a living. After meeting, I offered her a free bedroom and bathroom in my East Goshen home. She apparently got a better offer to live in a mansion on the Main Line but, what the heck, I tried. So, despite my current bruised financial ego, perhaps I am more nice than naughty after all.

Thank heaven Santa thinks so.