As a kid my Mom used to always say, “Give me my flowers while I’m living because when I’m dead and gone I can’t smell them or see the beauty they bring.” What she was really telling us is that she wanted us to use spoken and written words and actions to express to her how valuable she was to us and how we appreciated her.
As an adult I now understand that one of our inner-most basic needs is the need for recognition and to feel like we matter and are valued by somebody.
Last night I had the privilege to receive this card from one of my five teenage group-home boys. It wasn’t for my birthday or any other special event or occasion. It was for my favorite reason of all, “just because”. Just because what, you may ask. Well, it was “just because” I’ve taken the time to be there with him and for him 17 hours a week over the last year.
You see, his real Dad has been in prison for many years and his Mom has been removed from his life too and other relatives and next-of-kin are “too busy” to care. So, I’ve been given the special opportunity to model positivity for him during the good, the bad, the ugly and the sad times.
The unfortunate reality is that there are millions of other kids just like him in desperate need of a hand up and a little T-I-M-E. It doesn’t take much of it (time) to leave a positive footprint in their life, but you do have to make the time. They’re all around us, in our neighborhoods, churches and other corners of life, so you don’t have to look very far.
They need us now more than ever before to pick up the slack and help them to make it GREAT! There’s no better feeling than knowing that you’re making a positive impact and difference in the life of not just your own family, but also in the life of someone who doesn’t share your last name.
Give it some thought of how you can contribute and take ACTION, however big or not-so-big it may be. Let’s all collect our flowers while we live and continue in our efforts to make it GREAT
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