Doing something right

Parents often don't get either recognition or a sense of satisfaction in the 24/7 job they've undertaken.
They stumble through child-rearing, learning from their mistakes and trying to improve every day. But, unlike other obstacles or challenges, this one is constantly moving, morphing, evolving. Like a moving target in an amusement park shooting game, perfecting our child-raising strategies is tough. Most of time, I feel like I'm getting the tiny plastic toy, while aiming for the giant stuffed panda.
But every once in a while, our little ones do or say something that truly impresses. In the real, adult world, nothing much fazes me, but my wee ones have been tossing out some rare nuggets recently that not only catch me off guard, but make me smile and beam.
The holiday season brings out the best in people. Children are no exception.
My eldest went above and beyond this year, particularly when she noticed that her fellow (affluent) classmates weren't rising to the cause, and donating items for the Christmas drive. For almost an entire week, our future philanthropist and world traveller made her way to school armed with bags of gifts, clothes, toys, games, books, DVDs - some of which she purchased herself - to make a family happy this season. Almost single-handedly, she took on this burden to save the world, one person at a time!
Good for her.
My youngest, during one of our outings, reached into her pink purse, pulling out some pennies, nickels and dimes. "Is this a lot of money to give?" she asked. "It's tons," I replied.
Good for her.
My middle child, after buying his mom a Christmas present, also took his change and deposited it into a yuletide donation receptacle.
Good for him.
Like faith and hope, charity is a truly human expression of compassion. It's key to our very existence.
It's true that charity begins at home. Fortunately, it doesn't stay there!
All the best this holiday season to you and yours!