Ya know what? I’ve discovered-that I am a good person.
And ‘ya know what else I’ve discovered? Most people are good people.
Now this is not an idea that comes easily to me. Coming from a law enforcement family I was taught from an early age of the dangers lurking out in the big bad world. Some folks might say that I am a bit over-protective of my kids but I don’t care-as I said, I’m a good person.
These thoughts have occur to me as I head out the door to walk the dog on a rainy, cold afternoon…The dog, Max is a living thing, I tell myself, that needs exercise, as all living things do. And so, we walk. Tramping down the driveway I notice that the recycling has not been picked up yet. The recycling bins that I earlier this morning drug out to the curb from the backyard after having driven two kids to two different schools!
Did I mention that I am a good person?
As Max and I continue our wet walk I am also looking for and picking up pretty colored leaves to add to my six-year-olds Autumn leaf collection. As I gingerly stuff them into my rain jacket pocket, I feel the plastic grocery bag that I balled up and jammed in there on my way out the door. Yet again another way in which I am a good person I reason to myself, I clean up after the dog.
As Max and I round the corner we pass by the house of my neighbor/friend who has raised her own children and now has adopted and fosters other peoples kids — a very good person! A couple of houses further down is another neighbor who volunteers for Meals on Wheels, in an animal shelter, and various church-sponsored charities. Another good person. Across the street from me lives a woman who watches her grandchildren after school because the parents work. A good person.
I try to be available to my family and friends in order to help out when I can. My dad died last November, and so I call my mom several times a week just to chat and to see how she is doing. I invite my kids friends over for play dates and slumber parties. I make cookies with my kids and check books and movies out from the library that I think they would enjoy. I shovel the snow from the sidewalks of elderly neighbors — well, actually I suggest that my husband do that but he would anyway because he is a good person too. I take my kids to girl Scout and Cub Scout meetings, religion classes, swimming lessons, basketball and soccer games. I return my shopping cart to the corral in the Target parking lot and I let people cut in front of me in traffic-sometimes…
I am a good listener and try to be patient with my kids — sometimes not an easy task with their age spread; 26, 23, 12 and 6. However, my ‘tween’ gave me a note as she climbed out of the car this morning telling me how much she appreciates all that I do for her! She said it was a Family Life assignment, but I’ll’ take what I can get…
I complement people on a regular basis — it makes them feel good and it makes me feel good to do it ’cause I’m a good person. But you know what I’m not special in that. I have discovered that most people are decent, kind, and downright good too! I think we should all give ourselves a collective pat on the back cut ourselves some slack as the holiday madness gets into full-swing.
Take some time to stretch your body and your mind. Enjoy a cup of cocoa or a glass of good wine — whatever floats your boat. Listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving as I do, or put on that favorite ‘old’ album that embarrasses the kids. (I am not ashamed to admit that I still love Andy Gibb!)
I wish good people everywhere a lovely Thanksgiving.
