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HeroicStories #803: The Better Gift
Reaching more than 37,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #803: 18 June 2010 www.HeroicStories.com
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The Better Gift Story Editor:
by Lynn Maynard Joyce Schowalter
Arizona, USA
On Thursday, November 19, 2009, I took a six-hour embroidery class. When
the class ended at 3:30 p.m., I drove my car to a nearby fast food drive
through. I then returned to the sewing shop for my next class, which
would last four hours. I parked in front of the store and ate my meal.
It was a nice day, with temperatures in the mid 70s, although our fall
Phoenix nights the temperature falls to the low 40s.
As I ate, I noticed a man sitting on the curb. He was about six foot
tall, with a thin build, weathered face and a couple days beard growth.
He reached into a backpack, pulled out a razor, and began to shave.
When finished, he proceeded to change his holey gross-looking socks,
which were caked with dried blood, and replaced them with a new pair. He
seems to have pride in taking care of himself, I thought.
When I buy something at the drive thru, I throw my change in the pocket
of the driver's side door. Watching this man I decided to hand him what
was there: four bucks.
As I approached him he said, "You have a nice car."
"I'm still paying for it," I said. "Here's a few dollars. When you're
finished maybe you can get something at the drive-in nearby. They have a
nice selection on their dollar menu and you can get refills."
He thanked me, saying, "God Bless you."
I then went back in for my next class. My class finished at 7 p.m. and I
loaded all my equipment into the back of my car. After 10 hours of
classes I was tired.
Then I saw it. WHAT is that NOTE, I thought, don't tell me someone
scratched my car.
I got in the car and turned on the light to read the note. To my
surprise, here was a note thanking me for the $4.00. Dan told me that he
is doing all right, but many homeless people need socks, so maybe I
could carry a few pairs in my car.
He said that he gets gift cards for $10.00 and socks at the nearby
church. In his note Dan said, "If you want to, you could donate socks to
the church, then the homeless men would be very grateful."
WOW!
It was only four bucks. Dan's thank you gave me the better gift -- of
feeling that I can make a difference, with socks!
Dan taught me even when you are homeless you can make someone's life
better. Now I want to do more for our homeless friends in need. Thank
you, Dan, socks are on the way!
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William Lifsey's story, "Wisdom in Seventeen Words" (#802) described
meeting Mohammed Ali while piloting an aircraft, and the lasting impact
of Mohammed Ali's words.
Trudy (location unknown) commented: "Being a parent is a very hard job.
Any person, famous or not, who uplifts a parent in the eyes of their
child is a 'hero' in my book. So many times we have to make decisions
that are important to one aspect of our family (like working to support
our family), which take from another aspect (such as taking us away from
home). Having the sacrifices we make made apparent to our children so
that they understand the importance is a priceless gesture from someone
who instinctively knew it would be cherished. We can all make a
difference in the lives of those around us by these simple gestures!"
Judy in Montana wrote: "I never cease to be amazed when famous people do
nice things for people they encounter in their daily lives. Fame isn't a
part of my daily life, but I sure think if it was I would often be
crabby about relating to the many people who would recognize me, because
I wouldn't have the privacy I enjoy now. What a generous gesture it was
for Mohammed Ali to write such wise words on a picture to this pilot's
son."
Guy in Tennessee replied to "Assistance on Icy Ground" (#801), "I'm also
a retired nurse, with a background in emergency nursing and management.
When I met my present wife, she observed my attitude toward nursing and
patients for a while, then said, 'Being a nurse isn't what you do, it's
who you are.' Nurses dedicated to our profession risk injury and
infection to do our jobs, and often work through our own personal pain.
There is some 'chaff' in our profession, but please, when you have that
accident, or you need surgery to correct something wrong and you meet a
good and caring nurse, tell them Thank you. Those are great words for us
to hear. My best "thank you" was in 1976 -- a kiss and a hug from a
little 6-year-old girl." (Full story on our archives:
http://heroicstories.com/archives.html .)
Several readers replied to another reader's comment. In our last issue,
Walt in Maryland commented in part, "You don't have to wait for
graduation day to send a note and 'make a difference'.... We always take
time to add a note to restaurant wait servers, thanking him/her for
their service and for making our meal pleasant."
Jo in New Mexico adds: "I make it a point to always, always thank those
who have done anything for me even it is ' only' their job. It makes the
people feel good (as it does me when someone thanks me), insures that
they will keep doing a good job and makes ME feel good. I recommend it
as a way to keep a happy outlook on life."
Joyce Schowalter, Networker in Chief
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
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