Being Beth

Last Wednesday I read a blog post that made me think.  It was written by my writerly friend, Stephen Parish (author of the amazing historical mystery THE TAVERNIER STONES - you can find it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for Kindle, Nook, or paperback and believe me it's worth buying and reading).  


Anyway, as usual, his post was poignant, thoughtful, and dare I say inspired?!  The first section of his post reminded me of when my oldest son was in first grade.  


My boy liked to take his lunch to school, preferring a PB&J to the cafeteria food.  About three weeks into the school year he started coming home from school ravenous.


I thought at first it was a growth spurt, but when he started asking for a full meal, I questioned him as to why he was so hungry.  I asked if he was eating the lunch I packed.  He replied, "Oh no.  I give it to Laura Teasley (fake name there)."  I questioned him about why he gave his lunch away and he said, "Well, she's poor and her mommy doesn't have enough money for her to have any breakfast or lunch, so I give her mine so she doesn't have to be hungry all day."  I then asked if he didn't get hungry too, and his reply took my breath away.  He said, "Yeah, I get real hungry, but that's why we share.  Laura shares her hungry with me and I share my full tummy with her.  See, we each have to be hungry for a while and then we get to be not hungry for a while.  Laura is hungry in the morning and I am hungry in the afternoon and we both get to eat when we get home."  


I was tempted to pack an extra lunch each morning for little Laura Teasley, but I didn't.  I wanted my son to keep on believing that personal sacrifice and sometimes pain and suffering is part of compassion and generosity.  I wanted him to continue to learn that sharing involves more than giving of your excess, it's also understanding the need up close and personal.  So, my son happily shared both hunger and a full tummy for the rest of the year and to this day I can proudly say that he continues to be one of the most generous and kind men I've ever known.  


The second part of Stephen's post is equally touching with some real take away value.  Click HERE to hop on over there - you'll be glad you did.  But first...




What about you?


What life lesson have you learned from a child?


What comforts do you sacrifice to help other people?


How far are you willing to go to share another persons suffering?