T, The Guardian Angel

Those of you who truly know T, know that she is a lady with a huge heart.  She is always one to go above & beyond to help others and to make sure that those in her presence are taken care of.  You may not know, but she has personally taken on tasks that make others feel special or to let them know that someone is thinking of them.  She's done fundraisers, walks, meals on wheels (her own version), brought neighbors goodies, helped friends come up with business ideas and executed them, the list goes on and on... She's one of a kind!!   I can personally guarantee she has been more than just Dons guardian angel. (Reference: Lies, Broom Handles and Guardian Angels)  She isn't someone who does this to add it to her resume.  She does it because she truly cares.  For example, I didn't even know that she had seen Don again years later.  I didn't even know his name was Don.  I knew the story otherwise of her helping him while she worked at that particular job, but that's it.  That's how she is.  Helps and does not expect anything in return.  We should all take her lead.

I cannot even begin to share an experience to the capacity of  "Lies, Broom Handles and Guardian Angels".  But I too, do my best to bring a smile to another persons face whenever I can.   One example I can give of helping others is when I moved to Santa Rosa.  I worked at Home Base in customer service. It was a fun job, and it paid the bills, barely.  The Home Base was located in a shopping center with Food for Less, Taco Bell, Burger King...You get the picture.  One day when I was driving out of the parking lot from work, I realized there was what appeared to be a homeless man on the corner, holding a sign asking for help. 

A few days passed, and I saw the man was still standing on the corner again as I went into the parking lot.  I had to do some grocery shopping after work, and decided to purchase a four pack of Top Ramen for him.  I slowed down on my way by and tossed it out the window towards him.  He went and picked it up as I drove off.  You see, I didn't have the balls like my sister to actually go up and befriend the person but I knew I wanted to help.  Ironically, that day I was on my way to her house for a visit.  Proud of myself, I burst through her front door like little sisters do, and told her the story about helping the person in need.  She laughed in a big sister kind of way, and said "How are they going to cook it?".  I didn't even think of that!!  (Although I secretly knew she was proud of me.)

The next day I decided I was going to "one up" myself. When I went through Taco Bell for my lunch, I requested and paid for an extra bean burrito.  As I drove passed the man, I slowed down, and tossed the burrito bag out of the window of my car.  A little more careful than the Top Ramen though...Satisified, I continued on with my daily tasks. 

There were several different men and women who stood on that very same corner with signs asking for help during my run at Home Base.  I would buy things or give them change whenever I could.  But I actually had one person tell me they didn't want the food, they were trying to get beer money.  That crushed me, and slowed down my good deeds for a while.  But does it really matter if they are there because they truly need the help or do they need beer money?  I think what really matters is that they are putting their pride on the line asking for help because they can't work, won't work, or any other reason.  It is not our job to judge and try to determine by looking at them if they "really" need it.  That's between them and God.

Another way that I try to help others is by a simple smile or by "Paying it Forward".  I have been known to make my order at Starbucks, and when I get around to the window, I pay for the persons behind me.  All I know is that I wanted to brighten someones day, and well if it didn't, I will never know.

I believe it's all about giving what you can, because you always have more than someone else.  Share the wealth.  Whether it's an 89 cent bean burrito or $5.00.  Do what you can to make this world a better place.  Smile at a person you're passing by, a smile is free, and it makes you warm and fuzzy inside when someone smiles back. Take T's lead and run with it.  Do what you personally are capable of and don't expect anything in return.   We only have this one life, so make it a good one!

Embrace Your Sparkle,

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