HELPING HAND The heavy hurricane season, and the exceptionally amount of damage done along our Gulf Coast have brought to the forefront an American trait we should use more often, sustain, strengthen and nourish as something proper in our way of living. It is called “charity” by some but there are those who seem to feel that term to be demeaning, so we call it “lending a hand in time of needs,“ some other less disturbing term.
We have, in 2005, seen examples of how well the concept does work and also some examples of incidents where it did not work – certainly not as well as we felt it might function. We have, it appears, allowed it all to become rusty with disuse over the years in which years we have ventured from the concept of individual charity beginning at home into government assistance as a part of the welfare state.
He best of such giving is done rather quietly. I remember watching a young child taking its first steps with family gathered around and watching his every move. He stood by a straight-backed holding it in a firm grasp. The projected trip was a three or four foot space from the chair to a sofa. He plainly had some doubts about the adventure; loosed his his hold on the chair; balanced a bit, then tightened his grasp once again on the chair.
I was seated closest to him and, reading the doubt in his eyes, I held my cane out in front of him. He grasped the end of the cane and followed it across the chasm and ,without realizing his support was gone threw himself in the welcoming arms for Grandma hugs.
That's my idea of the manner in which we give in times of need. We help the individual express himself in doing for his self whenever possible.
You ,too, could not help but notice in recent weeks how there as been a general upsurge in the rate of giving and from many segments of our society. Children have been given through their school and church groups. Adults have joined in fund raising activities of every imaginable type so more money could be sent to the stricken areas. Money with which to buy food, provision of all types; money with which people can rebuild a life which- in a sense of “belongings” has been totally destroyed. We all know that such tangibles cannot be replaced; that they will never be the same but in helping as best we can be come to realize a wholesome and worthy bond has been established between the haves and the have-nots of the moment.
During the holiday times in which we are reveling, make it a special point to reflect upon the continuing plight of thousands of victims who are homeless, as well as those who have returned to the often desolate homes in Gulf coast villages and cities. Make sure your Happy New Year is a sharing one as well.
A.L.M. December 22, 2005 [c511wds]
