So since the last blog entry, I've done quite a few things:
- Paid for someone behind me in the drive through at Starbucks.
- Brought our leftover dog food to a friend who has dogs and could use it.
- Dropped off two large bags of clothes at Goodwill.
- When our air conditioning went out, I was home when the guy came to fix it. As he was leaving, I told him how much I appreciated what he did (okay, so I may have professed my love for him and called him my hero. What can I say, it was 95+ for days!). We pay these people for the service they do, but I have a feeling that they hear verbal feedback more often when they do something bad than when they do something good.
- I sent an e-mail to my supervisor letting her know how much I appreciated having a supportive supervisor who I feel has my back and makes a positive work environment.
- On the 4th, we went to a party at a friend's house. They had a bunch of people there, including some kids. One young boy, probably 11 or 12, was just super polite. He asked if he could put his can of pop on the tailgate of my husband's truck that I was sitting on, he asked permission to lean on the truck, and thanked me every time I told him it was okay. I asked him to point out his parents for me, and I think the kid was terrified. I went to his mother and told her how polite and well mannered her son was. She seemed to be appreciative of it. I just really wanted to make it a point to let her know how great her kid is. Like I said before about service workers, I think that parents probably hear more negative stuff about their kids than positive.
So the reason for the title it this. I was talking with a client who had a really touch upbringing (as most of my clients do). She and her sisters spent some time living in a Salvation Army, on park benches, and in motels. She was talking to me about her resourcefulness and what they did to survive. She mentioned that she used to go to the food pantry to get food, and they would give her canned goods. Then she told me something that created a light bulb moment for me. She mentioned that while they were appreciative of these canned goods, they did not have a can opener. So they would try to puncture the can until they could get it open. I never thought about this before. Donating food, sure, but after this is done it usually is put out of your mind. But imagine if you were homeless: there are certain things you would want to always have with you, some for logistic reasons, some for sentimental reasons. A can opener is not something I believe people would make a point to carry with them. So the next time I am out, I am going to buy some can openers (nothing fancy) and donate then to a food pantry. Because what's the point in donating food if people can't eat it?
