Tuesday Tell-all “A Season of Giving”
As I thought for the past couple of days about this week’s topic, I thought immediately of a few times I have been affected by the service of others. I thought long and hard about times I’d served others in meaningful ways, but no one occasion really stood out from the others and that honestly disturbed me a little. Have I not served? I'm sure I could do better. I realized tonight, however, that our most vivid memories are largely emotionally charged, and I can only suppose the times I have been served left deeper impressions than the reverse. And I think that’s normal. I think writing down acts of service is a great idea, because not only do you see them differently, it’s nice to take note of those things. But for today, the post will be times I’ve been served. There are many more than I’ll write here, but here are a few:
I’ve been blessed with a great mother with a real knack for and commitment to service. I remember vividly being sick once during college, and really stressing out about classes and school. It wasn’t life-threatening, and I wasn’t really in dire need, I suppose. But when my mom showed up at my door with cold medicines of all types and varieties, soups, herbal teas, and anything else that might help in some way, I was truly touched and felt the love she had for me. Years later, when she showed up on my porch unannounced in Saint Louis to help once again when I needed her, I was reminded of the power in doing what you can, and not just asking what you can do. This post could honestly be all about the acts of service I’ve received from my mom, but I’ll just say that I want to be that kind of mother.
I also remember moving from Saint Louis to O’Fallon, and the people who stayed and helped literally all day long and into the night. I love them for their sacrifices, and think of staying up in an empty house – no furniture, no chairs, no boxes, no phone, no lamps – in the dark, with one friend while we waited for our husbands to unload trucks in O’Fallon and to return for us. It was late and her little boy was tired, but she stayed. And not only did she stay, but even more impressive she never acted put out or impatient at all, or frustrated at how long it took to finish that huge job. They just kept me and my kids company and I was so grateful. I want to be that kind of friend.
Another example of service comes from that same Saint Louis ward in the form of a wonderful grandmotherly lady who insisted on bringing us dinner after Isabel was born. My mother stayed with us for a couple of weeks to help out, but this sister set up a time to bring a home-cooked meal after my mom left. The meal was wonderful, and was accompanied by a rose in a vase and a gift for the baby. All this, and just a few weeks after her own major throat surgery, one she casually dismissed but that kept her in bed for quite a while. I don’t know if she was just driven by duty, by love, or by knowledge gained in a lifetime of serving that service to others alleviates your own troubles. I want to be like that.
Once in our Payson ward as young newlyweds I attended a service auction for Relief Society where I “bid” on basic sewing lessons. The sister giving them was rather expert, and I knew all but nothing. I won the item, and this sister set to work immediately trying to fulfill her obligation. I was expecting and getting ready to move across the country, and just didn’t make the time to have her come over. Instead of just giving up and letting it go (as I was completely fine with her doing) she took the time to make up an entire sewing packet, complete with instructions, diagrams and samples, for zippers, buttons, and other basic sewing puzzlers, finding a way to serve that worked for me, even though she didn’t really have to. I still have the packet, and beyond referring to it for sewing I refer to it as an example of dedicated and creative service – being willing to adapt the message to match the needs of the person receiving. I want to do more of that.
When all is said and done I’ve been given great examples of who, how and why to serve, and know I’m a better person for each.
3 comments:
What a great post. I ended up doing the same thing for my post. I remember times much more vividly that I had been served and listed those. I like how you pointed out when you are the recipient it is so emotional it really leaves a lasting impression.
p.s. We were also at the BYU game with our 5, 3, 1 year old. We were all hoarse after -from screaming so much.
Marcie, that's so fun you were at the game! I'm impressed you took your kiddies... for me games days provide a much needed day out!
I hope you don't mind if I adopt your parents' birthday tradition of service, because I think that's one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time.
Thanks for the note - Maybe we can get the kids together sometime!
How blessed we are by those around us when they choose to serve. I loved all your stories, esp. the one about your mom. I can see her on the door step with the medicine in hand. And the one about the older woman in St. Louis who gave when she herself was recovering. What acts of love. We truly are better because of them.
So glad you and Marcie are connecting. She's great!
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