although in Mississippi, we aren’t quite sure just *which* season. We are having a bit of a warm spell, while much of the country is battling ice.
But that’s not really what I mean . . .
I mean the season of giving. I’ve come across two links to RAOK (events? promotions?) in my blog reading. Rissa’s helping an injured dog (in addition to taking in rescues herself). And tonight it hit closer to home.
My dear niece has been basically abandoned by her worthless husband, left alone with their three small daughters. He thinks he is going to get out of paying child support, and that she will go to work, yadda, yadda. It’s an unfortunate situation that’s, sadly, been brewing since just after the oldest was born.
My stepdaughter is a hair-dresser. One of her clients asked her if she knew anyone who needed financial assistance . . . I do not know what amount the woman plans, but I get the feeling it is substantial. Even if it isn’t, I’m grateful. Now, it is not surprising that the family (including us) is sending her money, but a total stranger, just wanting to help someone, and just happens to ask my stepdaughter at just the right time. Well, that brings the weepies to more than just me.
So, make a Random Act Of Kindness, Pay It Forward, or do whatever your heart leads you to do. (And I’ll try to find those RAOK links I saw the other day and post them here. ETA: Found ‘em! Wendy Knits points to Sheri and Ruth.)
For my part, I’ll be helping my niece and looking for ways to help others, too. May I suggest you consider supporting any of the worthwhile NGOs working with Tibetans (both in and outside of Tibet, in particular those helping the Tibetan Buddhist nuns, like the Tibetan Nun Project), or Knitting without Borders (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka The Yarn Harlot), or one of those adopt an animal organizations to help families feed themselves (like Adopt a Yak).
When I was a little girl, my social world was wrapped up in school, family, and church. Although I no longer claim it, I used to say I was born & bred Southern Baptist. Twice a year, the Southern Baptist churches collect special offerings for missions. In the spring, it is the Annie Armstrong Offering for “home missions” (i.e., here in the U.S.), but at Christmas, it is the Lottie Moon Offering, for “foreign missions.” I collected a lot of money as a young child for both these offerings. Lottie Moon was a woman missionary in China during the late nineteenth century. I don’t know why, but this is a good Christmas memory for me — even with my mixed feelings about proselytizing.
So, give what you can, y’all, to whatever charities you are most drawn. Who knows, that person in front of you at Starbucks tomorrow, might just RAOK you by anonymously paying for your coffee!
