Compassionate people make the world a better place
One of the things that make me the proudest of my children is their compassion.
I want them to be kind. They are.
I don’t want them to judge people according to the color of their skin, their religion or where they live. They don’t.
I want them to offer a helping hand to people who need it. They do.
I see the same compassion all the time in my grandkids, Tilleigh, 11, Evie, 8, and William, 6. Most recently, I saw it when they helped their mom volunteer at an event where people in need were given food and various items such as toiletries, blankets and clothing.
Tilleigh helped out in the area where people were given toiletries. She told me about an “old” man — about my age, she said (Thanks, Tilleigh), who asked if they had ChapStick. They didn’t, and she cried. It was all that he asked for, she said.
The man told her it was OK and not to cry.
He gave her a sweet smile and walked away.
Tilleigh will never forget the man, his understanding and kindness and that all he asked for was a tube of ChapStick. She’s vowed to make sure that next year, there will be ChapStick and Vaseline to give away at the annual event. She’s going to make it a project in 2019 to contact businesses and individuals asking them to donate these items or give money to help purchase them for distribution.
The reason my grandchildren are compassionate is because they’re growing up around people who value those traits.
My husband, Hank, who started portraying Santa Claus for the grandchildren years ago, is now Santa Claus for a local toy giveaway program and at the local drug court Christmas party.
Last year, our grandchildren dressed as elves and helped their grandfather/Santa distribute the toys, which ranged from dolls and stuffed animals to bicycles and electronics. My grandchildren were thrilled to see how happy the children were when they received their gifts.
Compassionate people make the world a better place, and I’m thankful that the little people in my life already realize it.
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@ timesfreepress.com.