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February 27, 2003 - "A Bag of Kindness"
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Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"Be the kind of person you always wanted your parents to be." ~Unknown
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Every single one of John's stories have moved me to tears, this one included. I will never look at macaroni the same again.
"A Bag of Kindness"
by John Gaudet
"Class, tomorrow I want you all to bring a cup of macaroni for our crafts class OK. Now go on out there and enjoy the day"
These words from my second grade teacher at the end of the day echoed in my mind all evening. I was dreading the next day because I knew we wouldn't have any macaroni at home. Living in an alcoholic environment we never had to much of anything laying around our house except beer bottles.
I trudged home after school with my mind working overtime. Where would I find macaroni? I knew that the local bottle depot at the edge of town gave twenty cents for a case of beer bottles so I decided that I would collect some bottles and maybe I could buy a small box that evening at our local corner store.
When I got home I started collecting the bottles and before long I had a nice pile in the back of my wagon. I started off to the bottling depot with my little brother Able in tow. We had a mission and no one would stop us.
When we arrived at the depot they counted our bottles and gave me the eighty cents. I felt very wealthy and as we walked back into town Able was bouncing up and down asking to see the money. I showed him several times then asked him to get in the wagon so I could pull him. Truth be known I just wanted to enjoy feeling those coins in my pocket and I didn't mind pulling him as the price for this little freedom.
We got to the corner store and entered to the smell of fresh bread baking in the back. I think we must have looked like we had rabies the way our mouths were watering. Able looked at me and at once I knew I would be going to school the next day with no macaroni.
We bought two loaves of bread and two jelly doughnuts (which we ate on the way home). When we arrived there was the usual party going on upstairs so we gathered my other siblings and went to the basement where we shared the bread with some strawberry jam.
We all fell asleep with Johnny Paycheck booming from the ceiling above that night.
The next day as craft class neared I began to think about the macaroni again. I was in anguish as the teacher asked why I didn't have any macaroni.
"Weren't you listening when I asked you all to bring it John"? She asked sternly.
I was mortified, I didn't know what to say and as the other children started laughing. Then out of nowhere this little girl Rosalyn who sat beside me turned to me and said "Here you can have some of mine". The way she said it, so nice, and the kindness in her eyes made me start to cry and I ran from the room in shame.
I never did take her macaroni or thank her for the offer. I couldn't speak to her again because I was sure I would see my own shame mirrored in her eyes.
I often think about Rosalyn and the way she turned to save me that day. I spent a great deal of my life letting the bricks of anger, hurt and rejection wall me in. I kept good people like Rosalyne out and surrounded myself with the kinds of people who I thought I was.
I eventually did see that and I have changed my life. My own daughter is eight now and I have had the opportunity to send her to school with her own little bag of macaroni. I wrapped it up with a heavy heart that morning thinking of those turbulent days past. I thought of Rosalyn and the little gift she tried to share with me and I give a silent prayer of thanks for all the people like her that make this world a better place to live in.
John Gaudet copyright 2003
drmrjohn@sasktel.net
John is our February Writer of the Month and you will soon be able to see his photo and bio on our HeartWriters page! John also wrote "The Eraser" and "Dad's Belt", found in our archives, and thinks that our 2TheHeart online family is the most supportive on the 'net! Send him lots of email!
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The Letter Box:
Dear Betty,
Yes! I agree so completely Time does not stand still for no one ..the years pass on the clock ticks are sometimes heard and sometime not but no matter time goes on. Forty-eight years ago in May my husband Charles and I took our vows. I thank God for every year, every month, every week, and every day...now it is for every hour, minute, second, and moment...I thank God for HIS blessings and goodness to us and to ours. May you Dear Betty King and your husband have many more years together and may they be blessed and you both strengthened with the power and Spirit of our Lord. HUGS Leona
Dear Betty,
My husband and I have lost many friends to Alzheimer's. Of course, as you mentioned, when they were married they didn't see this debilitating disease in their future. It's wonderful to see a spouse giving such loving care to his/her cherished partner as long as it is physically possible.
Also Betty dear, I have a nephew whose wife has had MS for most of their married life. They are devout Christians. God has the uppermost place in their hearts. My nephew is such a lovely man. His wife is bedridden. He plants roses and other flowers outside her window for her to enjoy. He reads books aloud each evening before their devotions. Two years ago he bought two adorable Siamese kittens for his wife. They keep her company, and provide entertainment.
Isn't it wonderful the love our Father provides to His children? He wraps His arms around us when we most need it. I know first hand because I have many health problems. When I talk with God in my nightly prayers, I feel his presence.
I have a caring husband of 52 ½ years who gives me constant love. He is my official "go-fer". I also have a purrfect pet cat named BJ who provides entertainment and love.
Thank you for your heartwarming story.
Hugs,
Pat Lowe
pawlowe@televar.com
Dear Susan,
I was really touched by Pat Linkhorn's story in Tues.'s 2theheart., "A letter to GOD." Having a special grand-daughter, I could really relate, and tears flowed as I read her story. My daughter-in-law and son, the parents of our little angel, have done a wonderful job in her 4 and a half years in this world of ours, which has meant years of therapy, working with her at home, and many sleepless, endless nites of course of worry, fear and anxiety. We have seen God's abundance of Blessings overflow into this child's life as she faces her daily challenges and the lives of her parents, and grandparents, me, being one of the grandma's.. She has brought such a joy into our lives, I cannot express, and the tears flow everytime she accomplishes something new. At almost age 5, she has recently started to walk on her own! Praise GOD! We see our prayers being answered, all in HIS due time.... In the meantime,Our sweet child teaches us many valuable lessons, that I could sure relate to in reading Pat's story. It is just so sad the way "people" as a whole 'relate to those with disabilities, as I have seen people stare and point and it does hurt....(and other children can be so mean!);but we continue to pray, and I pray for those people, as they have never had to walk in the shoes of a "special need" child., or their families. God Bless you, Pat and your children and the work you continue to do. I pray many others share in your compassion and in helping others., as we continue to take one day at a time, with our sweet angel from heaven. In HIS love, Karen E. (Susan , sorry if this was long, I appreciate all you do and all the wonderful stories you print that are such an inspiration to all!)
LOVEYA! Karen
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