dear ms b-help others

DEAR MS B-HELP OTHERS

i thought about you this weekend on easter
made more vivid when i saw a picture of you
in your beautiful easter dress

i thought about you when we were in nola
thinking about
my volunteer efforts since i retired
now ms b
i wish i had done more when i was younger
wished that i had been more aggressive in
getting your dad and uncle involved in volunteering

tis good for the soul
i have found out in the last 5 years

this appreciation for others
feeling their feelings as they receive our good will

ms b
there is no inheritance no bonus no raise no pension
no money gift that can be better
for your soul
then projecting your good will onto others

this weekend i opened a birthday card
yes i still have birthdays
im way ahead of you
inside the card was a note
as i opened the card
out fell a check

please use this for one of your projects the note said

now ms b
i appreciate that birthday gift more than any other i have received
in awhile

see what i mean
money does always make you feel as good as good will

so
our next homeowner at habitat
a single mom with two kids
who
lives in a protected environment while she awaits her new house
while raising her kids
working hard at her job
supporting her family herself
anxiously awaiting her new home
which she has earned
thanks to gifts from others
which she will pay for herself overtime

she said to me
i want trees in my yard as many as i can have
i want them for my kids
to enjoy and play on
maybe ms b
even climb up in

sometimes folks in need
ms b
just need us to reach down
grab hold of their extended hand
to help them up to where we are

so
i have decided to use that money
to buy trees
three of them
to plant in an area together
trees that will outlive the new homeowner and her kids
always being their as a reminder
that someone
a stranger
cared enough to help out

we all should be that stranger sometimes

its good for the soul

so
ms b
please be one of those people
who extends a hand
to help

your soul will be better for it

the organicgreen doctor