Children Have The Best Hearts

--by ljcrowefamily, posted Dec 24, 2006

This year, my family applied for Christmas Assistance from the Salvation Army. I'm a single mom and have not been able to work. Dad's a bit of a non-entity and was fired earlier in the year so times have been really tough. My son has been in and out of the hospital for six years with severe kidney disease. He is 8 years old and his brother is 7.

My sons know we have money troubles, but not the mass extent of it. They have and will always be provided for as I have a very loving and supporting set of parents.

We were at Meijer and I was stressing about grocery money, and gas money and the holidays coming up. Meanwhile, my 8-year-old sees the Salvation Army guy, and it's really cold and he asks if we can give him some change. My son walks over and gives the guy a dollar, and my other son does the same. I see my sons talking to him and gesturing, and hear them say "be right back".

They come over and ask if we can get him some coffee because it's cold and he's been out there for two whole hours already. So, we go inside, buy the man some Starbucks and suddenly I'm not thinking about my bills, or my worries at all. Instead, I'm having a wonderful conversation with a man who dedicates his time to collect for the Salvation Army and wondering what I've done today that's as valuable.

I hug both my kids, because yet again they have shown me the value of kindness . . . in more ways than they can imagine!

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Posted by ljcrowefamily
Dec 24, 2006
Comments (21)

Readers Comments

thaata wrote: Without expecting any reward, a small gesture of love, a simple act of kindness changes the world to be a better place to live. The true love your children showed has its roots in your upbringing and role model. Thank you.

Melly wrote: Perecft shot! Thanks for your post!

Reneda wrote: Clearly you've been raising your children w/love and kindness for them to be so loving and kind themselves. You've given them something that all the money in the world can't buy. Good luck to you and your children w/the financial situation. I wish you only the best. You are deserving of it.

bharnig wrote: God bless your little angels. Thanks for sharing!

Joshua wrote: I think this is good, if we all can learn to behind like these children god would bless us.

Sydney wrote: I love this post. It sounds like they are learning from you. You didn't discourage them and maybe that's why their kindness has continued to grow. :)

Sheila wrote: It's a responsibility to the next generation to teach our children to be unselfish, caring human beings. Heart-felt, unconditional giving is what makes the world a better place.

wayfarer wrote: If you never teach them anything else, the fact that you raised them to give to others will see them through a happy life.

Well done, you!

Mphikeleli Dlamini wrote: The Bible reads "Those who plough in tears shall reap in joy" and be rest assured that you and your generous children shall soon reap in joy.

Guin wrote: Just yesterday I went in a fancy car with someone who yelled at an old woman who came asking for food.:(
Your story just gave me the hope I needed.

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