It was my first day at the Christian high school that my brother and cousin had attended for a year and I was excited but very, very anxious. All of my public school years had been tolerable but I had never really felt at ease or made close friends.
Thirteen years ago, I was getting ready to celebrate my 21st birthday. I was excited as were my nursing home buddies at the local homes I volunteered at.
Many, many years ago, I had my appendix taken out and recuperated in a mixed public ward in a Melbourne hospital. One old chap there (well, he was old to me at the time but he was probably only in his 40’s or 50’s) was really down. I asked why and he said his wife was…
It only took 2 minutes. Today as I was driving along a main road I saw a broken down 4 wheel drive sitting in the right lane. Everyone just drove around it – annoyed that they were inconvenienced. I pulled my car over onto the median strip and jumped out, just as the guy in…
I just wanted to drop you a line about giving for the sake of giving and what a selfish thing it is to do. Selfish you say? How can it be selfish to give for the sake of giving? with no thanks; with no acknowledgement; without anything in return? Let me explain… A few years…
Sister Mrosla first met Mark Eklund in her third-grade classroom at St. Mary’s School in Morris, Minnesota, in 1959, and she encountered him again in 1965 when she served as his junior high math teacher. In April 1971, Mark was sent to Vietnam and assigned to the 585th Transportation Company in Phu Bai where he…
Growing up with not much money and three kids, my mom always found a way to make Christmas special. And she always gave to others who had less. It was never talked about she just did it and I watched. When she died in 2007 my enjoyment of Christmas left with her. I have always…
Help them experience the joy of giving with these fun DIY gifts!Have you ever had a discussion with your children about gift giving? Most children see the act of giving as customary at particular times of the year but do they really understand the reason behind giving a present?If you haven’t talked about the difference…
When I had young children, the older ladies next door and I swapped help. I would take Teresa grocery shopping and often put her groceries on the porch for her, and at times Helen would come over for 15 minutes so that I could walk up to the corner store without having to snowsuit everybody….
True story. I have a little store and all sorts wander in the doors. I had a kid come in who said that he and his Grandma were homeless and living in their car. Now there is a local program called helping hands that sometimes can cough up some $ in these situations. So I…
In a talk he did for a charity fundraiser event whose goal was to “Create Positive Lives” scientist David Hamilton, PhD shares information about the science behind the feel-good emotions that are felt when giving an act of kindness. An honors degree in biological and medicinal chemistry, and a PhD in organic chemistry, David worked as…
Book Title: The Watermelon ShieldAuthors: Rose McCallum (she/her) and Finn McCallum (they/them)Illustrator: mikemotz.comFor ages: 6-10 years (a good read for all ages)Topics: bullying, kindness, compassion, empathy, character development, juvenile self-helpRelated learning areas: social and emotional learning (SEL), well-being/self-confidence, communication/healthy boundaries Continue Reading