A good reason to give back to others is because it’s good for you.  I never fully believed that until I was widowed and alone, slowly finding myself complaining to anyone who would listen.  One day (thank you, God!) I couldn’t stand it a moment longer.  Hearing myself was making me sick, not to mention others exhausted.  That’s when I decided it was time to get over myself. 

Several days and phone calls later I was out and about helping to organize a food bank along with others who were a lot like me: alone and wanting to feel needed.

After months of working hard and meeting new friends, I found that I needed them more than they needed me.  Imagine, giving really helps everyone to receive.  I hope I’ve given you something to think about!

Hazel
09/12/10

When I was in my early 20s a sneaker wave scooped me up while chasing my hat down the beach.  Just a few yards from shore I could see friends and strangers making efforts to save me, but the current was too strong.

What matters to me now is to get young people to learn to keep their eyes open. For instance, I can’t tell you how many young people are over here that shouldn’t be.  For the sake of a text message, a make-up adjustment, or a quick kiss behind the wheel, they put their lives in peril and their family’s lives in sorrow.

While they KNOW better, they have to be encouraged to DO better.  Remind them over and over.  It will make a difference.

Catherine R. 
09/05/10

The work was easy.  Load and unload trucks as fast as they entered and departed.  Nothing hard about that until I overheard one of the drivers bragging about transporting illegal substances, and how easy it was to get away with it.

I’ve come through today to tell you about this event because I want people to know that if they have information about a crime, they can’t just walk away from it and pretend like their hands are clean.  Either way, the law or the criminals will catch up with them.

Give up trying to be neutral.  You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution.  Easy as that.  Without reporting what I heard, I became a sitting duck for the driver who later saw to it that I was silenced.  Too late for me but not for you.

Anton
08/29/10