"If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what other season shall
we wait and for what other time shall we look?"
— Abdul-Bahai
It's the giving season.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were out to dinner. We picked up the bill for a couple without their knowledge — they found out after we departed. Random acts of kindness are gifts.
Almost every Sunday morning, while sitting at Panera Bread after church service and prior to meeting my wife for dinner, I observe another gift. A man rolls his wife in a wheelchair to a table, cleans it off and places their order.
Last week, I thought about his gift of love, dedication and commitment. His is consistent. He appears happy, is always smiling and has a loving spirit. His wife has Alzheimer's. Her memory might be impaired; however, I believe she feels the love.
Another gift to share is making another person feel important and doing so sincerely. I witnessed that a few weekends ago during a recognition program for supporters and the homeless at the Bethesda Center for the Homeless.
A highlight of the program included the smiles on the faces of the homeless (some have moved out of the center while others remain) who were treated to a special evening. They had been pampered, dressed up and chauffeured in a limo to the event.
One of the men who continues to call the center home was proud of his new clothes. He had negotiated with the clothier that provided a discount for his suit from the ministry. He held his head up high and spoke with a soft voice. His present was special. He wanted that black suit, black tie and white shirt for a specific reason: He wants to usher at church, and this would be his uniform.
The little things we sometimes take for granted catch us off guard at times. That happened to me again this weekend, up close and personal. Several years ago, I was part of a panel visiting the Bethesda Center to learn more about its purpose and how it operates.
"What would happen if the agency didn't exist? Where would the people go?" someone asked.
"Everyone has to be someplace."
As I sat with a friend, smoking a cigar and enjoying a trip to Tampa, Fla., a man was making small talk as he leaned on a trash can near us. After my friend left, I sat for a few more minutes when I noticed he was searching through the trash, looking into several paper bags.
After he walked away, I realized I had missed another opportunity to help. A gift of conversation, money, food or recognition might have made a difference, but the opportunity slipped away. If only I had taken action before he departed.
Well, I am now. I received an email on Monday about a wish list for the 2012 Point in Time Count — it is a one-day, unduplicated count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals and families in Forsyth County. A part of the process is to provide the homeless with essentials as they attempt to survive.
It doesn't take much. You can volunteer to help count and/or give one of several small gifts on the wish list that can make a big difference. The need: One-hundred hats, pairs of socks, tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes, small bottles of toiletries, Chapstick, lightweight tote bags, pre-packaged food, bottled water or $5 gift cards.
Every day is an opportunity to make a difference — to give of your time, talent and/or finances to help another person.
There are many ways to do so; choose one. If not during this season, then when?
P.S.: You can contact Teri Hairston at teri.hairston@uwforsyth.org or at 336-721-9378 to help with the wish list for the homeless.
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