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I'm not really sure what "hit me"...but it did. I've been thinking about this stuff all weekend. Matter of fact, in my weakened state, I won a wager on donkeymange where a poster had to leave until Feb, and showed mercy.
Maybe its just this weekend, as I spent so many hours walking around in near zero temps, and had 3 pairs of boots to choose from, or last night sitting in the comfort of my home with the new furnace installed yesterday, or the emails I've gotten from iraq that shake my shit into reality of whats important...I don't know.
I don't know alot of things, but I know when I help someone out who needs it, or appreciates it, it feels good. I've been that kid with the duct taped shoe, when my dad worked 3 jobs to keep our farm floating, and know how hard he had to work to get anything under that tree. I remember the hard work to get to where we all are today, and its only right to share some of it. I've read the letters and emails from soldiers, stuck sludging through raw sewage for hours upon hours while I was stuffing my gullet with Pie.
I don't like talking about "my" charity stuff because it feels like I'm bragging or wanting a pat, which isn't the case.
I just know, there are kids at school today, embarrassed by the same shoes that froze their feet when they walked there. I know there are kids in every town without a coat that fits, or that is clean or new enough to let them hold their head up enough to look other kids in the eye. I know there are local food banks that are suffering because they're overshadowed by the Katrina et al relief efforts.
I know that if I can find 1 family through a church or school, or pull that tag off the "gift tree" at a local store, and spend less money than I'd spend on parking, food and beer at 1 Chiefs game....it'll make their day.....week.
Those who can't financially do anything, can still do something. It doesn't take much to write a letter to a soldier from your town/church/city/son of a coworker.....or have yoru kid draw them a snowman. It doesn't take much to spend an extra 20 minutes digging out someone who can't.
I do know this....its worth it. Last week, as i went to a local store to buy some slugs for the hunt I was getting ready to do, A 6'4 guy I didn't recognize called my name. I looked at him, and he said "you don't know me do you? I'm ___ -______, and you were my "big brother" through the Y a few years ago. Thanks for that"
Damn he grew and changed..both physically, and as a person. Good young man.
Little things. Playing catch with that kid once a week just might have been the thing that keeps him from turning into his father. Maybe a pair of shoes, coat and a board game can help do the same for another.?
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