Teaching Compassion
I have been focusing lately on teaching my children about compassion for others (each other) and compassionate service. We have been thinking of ways to show compassion towards others through service. We are still doing Operation Service and are getting blessed in many ways.
One neighbor called to thank me for a meal recently and told me that she had just gotten out of the hospital. The boys told me later that she answered the door while she was receiving oxygen. She was very grateful for their visit and the meal. She especially loved that the boys delivered the meal all by themselves.
Just last week I took Spenser and Sawyer to the library for a quick trip. Then I remembered that Joe had a bunch of old, prescription, military-issue glasses from his pre-eye-surgery days (that he found recently in an old filing cabinet) and that the library has a Lions Club eyeglass donation box. I explained to Spenser why we were doing it, and she was happy to help. We donated eight, brand new pairs that day!
Near the library is a rehab center/nursing home. And it just so happens that our favorite Aunt Lettie is there right now. She fell a few weeks ago and fractured her hip. She had surgery and is now receiving therapy every day. She may be there for a month or so.
Spenser, Sawyer and I stopped by to visit her last week. But then I thought I should take the rest of the children, so last night after dinner, we slipped out to surprise her. She was so happy to see us. (Joe is out of town, so I was flying solo with the children. And they were excellent!)
Sawyer wanted Aunt Lettie to hold him and was throwing a little fit because she couldn't.
And, last night, in my rush to get dinner put away and shoes and coats on the two little ones, I somehow neglected to see that Sawyer had no pants on. I think I had just changed his diaper and got distracted. The boys were laughing when we were getting ready to leave ... Poor guy.
One neighbor called to thank me for a meal recently and told me that she had just gotten out of the hospital. The boys told me later that she answered the door while she was receiving oxygen. She was very grateful for their visit and the meal. She especially loved that the boys delivered the meal all by themselves.
Just last week I took Spenser and Sawyer to the library for a quick trip. Then I remembered that Joe had a bunch of old, prescription, military-issue glasses from his pre-eye-surgery days (that he found recently in an old filing cabinet) and that the library has a Lions Club eyeglass donation box. I explained to Spenser why we were doing it, and she was happy to help. We donated eight, brand new pairs that day!
Near the library is a rehab center/nursing home. And it just so happens that our favorite Aunt Lettie is there right now. She fell a few weeks ago and fractured her hip. She had surgery and is now receiving therapy every day. She may be there for a month or so.Spenser, Sawyer and I stopped by to visit her last week. But then I thought I should take the rest of the children, so last night after dinner, we slipped out to surprise her. She was so happy to see us. (Joe is out of town, so I was flying solo with the children. And they were excellent!)
Sawyer wanted Aunt Lettie to hold him and was throwing a little fit because she couldn't.
And, last night, in my rush to get dinner put away and shoes and coats on the two little ones, I somehow neglected to see that Sawyer had no pants on. I think I had just changed his diaper and got distracted. The boys were laughing when we were getting ready to leave ... Poor guy.
Comments
Thanks for the chuckle this morning. I love the pic with all of the kids and Aunt Lettie. :)
It's amazing how many people you can bless when you open your eyes just a tiny bit wider than required to see your own world. Good job teaching your kids to do that!
Great service opportunities, Lera. Those are lessons that will stick.
darwin likes to leave the house with just his underpants. in freezing temperatures. which isn't so bad if we are dropping or picking griff up from school but otherwise, gah. it's an issue to put clothes on that kid.
I, too, like your Operation Service. Your kids are lucky.
AND, my favorite part of your posts are the pictures of your kids - how casually and matter-of-factly and affectionately their arms drape over and around each other. They must fight like wildcats sometimes, but I bet they're tight.
You are lucky, too.
Jenny