Giving

Several months back, I posted about one of my neighbors, a seventy-ish black man who flew the American flag in front of his house at all times. Recently, I noticed that his flag was becoming tattered and faded. Apparently, he noticed it as well, because he took it down.

About a week ago, as I was walking around in the local Air Force Base Exchange, I happened to walk by the American flag display and a thought popped into my mind: “Mr. Leo needs a new flag.” So I bought him one. 

I kept the new flag in the car in case of one of the frequent occasions that I would see Mr. Leo outside when coming out of the house on my way somewhere. Today was the day. I saw him, hailed him and told him that I had something for him.

When I handed him the flag, I saw something that I had never seen on Mr. Leo’s face: a very wide smile and barely-checked tears.

Giving is its own reward.

Am I feeling good about it?  Oh, yes, but not because I gave, but because my giving made a difference, if only to bring forth that seldom-seen smile.  Smiles are indications of deeper things in the long run.

That smile was a better gift than the flag.

Comments

[teal marie]

Tsk! You see how you are? Sweet, thoughtful girl. Way to commit an act of kindness. Sharing your blessings again, I notice. Graceful

[Ginger Liz]

Today is the eighth anniversary of my grandfather's death - I lived with him and he was the linchpin of our family - so I'm snivelling at everything today. This is the first thing that's actually made me cry happy tears. Thank you, Juliette!

[Carridine]

Get! On! :)

[A Proud Veteran]

Doggone it, now my eyes are leaking... Good on you, J, for making his day!

Ginger Liz - my condolences on the loss of your grandfather... they tell us they're never really gone as long as someone remembers them, but that doesn't do much when you can't reach out and hug them.

[Silicon Valley Jim]

What a sweetheart you are! I'd love to have you as my neighbor. I'd even buy a flag for you.

Those of us who have neighbors who are in the military might want to do something nice for them on Thursday, which is Veterans' Day (I'm old enough that I still think of it as Armistice Day; I'll be bringing a six-pack of good beer to each of my two neighbors in the military).

[cube]

My daughter brought home a specific list of foods to buy for the troops for Thanksgiving. We bought two of everything & still have the nice warm glow that comes from giving.

It bothers me that the list included Spam Turkey & Easy Mac macaroni & cheese. Can't we do better than that for our troops?

[Val Prieto]

I knew there was a big, beautiful softie behind that butt kicking exterior! I love it.

[Cerberus]

What a beautiful thing to do. It almost made me teary-eyed when I imagined the scene.

[Iron Mike]

And you know, sweet-cheeks, that every military base I've ever been on, the dry cleaning place always displays a sign that they'll clean american flags for free.
So if you, your neighbor, or anyone you know has a washable flag that needs a cleaning, take it on base.
Later,
M

[baldilocks' mom]

That's My Baby!

How sweet and thoughtful.
I love you.

Ginger Liz,
My heart goes out to you. May God bless you.

[Mamamontezz]

You are so right. Sometimes just knowing you made a difference makes a difference. And sometimes it's the simplest of gestures that does it.

As long as we all do what we can we all make it better, for another, for ourselves, for everyone.

Good job, Juliet. Rock on.

[NY Mom]

I felt silly about my tears until I read the other comments and realized I'm not alone. You make your mom proud.

[grace]

My late father served in the navy in WWII. He would approve whole-heartedly, God bless you.

[The Anchoress]

Lovely story, Baldi. Thanks for sharing it - I'm going to post a link to it.

[Greg]

Baldi, your post made my day. Thank you for your kindness.

[Angel]

I haven't commented here before, but I have been reading you blog for about a month. But this I couldn't let go without saying something.

That was such a beautiful thing to do. You are truly a good person.

Angel

[baldilocks]

Thanks Angel, but I'm just as flawed as the next person. But sometimes, when I have my "ears" open, I can hear Him.

[Da Goddess]

You rock!

What a wonderful gift.

[Rob@L&R]

Cube:
RE: Turkey Spam & Easy Mac...

I have always said that being in the military (specifically, being on a ship) was like being in prison, only the food isn't as good.

The only time the military eats decent food is the last two weeks of September. (end of the fiscal year)

Don't know what they call it in the other services, but the Navy has their own term for food that is not military issued and supplements, but does not replace, military chow: Geedunk.

Geedunk mostly comes out of a vending machine, but Easy Mac or, my favorite, ramen noodles, qualifies.