1/12/10

I do believe in angels, I DO believe in angels, I DO.


There are many, many lessons our children learn – and most of them do not involve their parents.

We are still coping and reeling from the recent lesson that Sassy learned about stalking. (She is safe, brave, and back to her annoying self.)

I’ve watched painfully as they’ve learned about boyfriends, girl “frenemies”, sibling fighting, about how words hurt, about bad choices, and about how a single event can bring you a grief that you’ve never imagined.

However, they’ve also learned that there are amazing people in the world, and that if you are truly a good hearted person, and do for others, then good things will come back to you tenfold. The girls saw this many times in the last year, and last weekend the Golden Boy was the recipient of a most recent lesson.

I had a meeting with some fellow teachers over the break (Don’t let anyone tell you that teachers don’t work at home. It’s a lie.) to plan a unit that we will be implementing this month. One of the other teachers has a son in Golden Boy’s class, and we thought they could bowl a few games while we did our planning at those tall tables behind the lanes. (Who needs quiet- we’re USED to chaos.)

After the games, the boys went looking to buy some water bottles. GB had a five dollar bill and was searching and searching for change- and no one working at any of the areas seemed willing to give it to him. I happen to glance up as a man (who was bowling with his family) walked across the lanes toward my son and handed him something. I watched as he told him something, and sent him toward the water machine.

“What did that man give you?” I asked Golden Boy when he returned with his water.

“He gave me the $1.50 and told me that when I was older, I was supposed to do something nice for someone else.” And he looked at me with a serious look on his face, and then broke out in a smile.

That man, who I have never met, taught my middle school son an invaluable lesson.

I thank all of you “angels” out there who do this daily. It might not be money, or gifts, but just by your behavior, your demeanor, your politeness and your generosity, you are teaching all of our children lessons that feel good.


Keep up the good work.


(How about a little bloggy love for Anna. She could use a thumbs up over here.)

59 comments:

cheatymoon said...

Love this story. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Unknown said...

As usual, what a great story.
I have been away and have missed catching up with you and your funny blog!

Have a wonderful 2010!

Anonymous said...

Coincidentally, I had just started writing a post about angels today for my blog (haven't finished it yet), and then I saw yours.

Yes, there are angels in this world. I've known a few of them personally. They can teach us so much about what we need to know.

WeaselMomma said...

That is something Golden Boy with carry with him for the rest of his life.

Aimee Cotton Bogush said...

Love this! It is a wonderful thing when people show kindnesses like this. Thanks for sharing the story.

The Muse said...

marvelous!

Mrs. E said...

How wonderful that man is...and may the circle never be broken. Let it spiral on and on through the years! Love it!

Kellyansapansa said...

That's so sweet. Maybe there's hope for humankind after all!

Sandee said...

He'll always remember this and someday he will repeat this, and more than once too. Excellent. :)

Unknown said...

Here's the thing... what happened at the bowling alley was not a miracle..it was a kind gesture by not an angel nor a saint, but a man.

It was nothing extraordinary and something we are all capable of doing.

Loving one another :)

I am glad Golden Boy was able to be a recipient of this kind act and realize it's greatness.

There is no doubt in my mind that he will someday "pay it forward" if he hasn't done so already :)

Beautiful way to end my day...

Peace ~ Rene

~M~ said...

How wonderful!

Brian Miller said...

love this story.
love those angels.
smiles.

Rick Daley said...

Cut it out, you're going to mess up my cynicism.

Joanie said...

What a great story and what a great lesson! Aren't the people in Oregon, where we live, just terrific!

Anonymous said...

Teachers definelty work tons outside school and You are an angel my friend.

Closer to Lucy said...

A gift indeed.

BTW~ love the “frenemies” an urban dictionary entry in the making!

Gayle said...

I'm glad GB was able to "get" the lesson. I think my own Golden Child would brag about scoring a free water. He's still an idiot.

Theresa Milstein said...

Sounds like it was a good deed for both of you.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

What a great story, I hope this man realizes what he did! No doubt he received a similar lesson many years ago. Makes you want to hug him!

Anonymous said...

Aww..that's great. He won't soon forget that! Whenever I'm around my nieces or nephews, or any kid for that matter, whenever one of them walks into the room I'm in, I always smile at them. I think they just like to be acknowledged for just being themselves.

Plus, as the 'cool' uncle, I DO have my reputation to keep up with! $5 bills anyone?

Roberta said...

Not to toot my own horn here, but I was being waited on at a store and a lady came and asked the clerk(her sister, as she said hey sis...lol), for a quarter to call their mom. Sis said she didn't have a quarter on her and to come back later. I took a quarter out of my purse, not much, I know, and gave it to her and told her to call her mom and be happy that she could do so, as I couldn't do that now(lost her 6 yrs ago). I have no idea what she needed to call her for, but at least she could. And don't I wish I could call my ma.....

Keyona said...

Well wasn't that the sweetest thing!

Robin said...

That is a great lesson and he will always remember it in a way that transcends typical learning..its an experience to call his own..thanks for posting this..its a great reminder that everyday is an opportunity..!

elzimmy said...

Great story...warms my cynical heart!

Zip n Tizzy said...

Nice that GB recognized the significance and also nice for him to be acknowledged. It's so hard at that age because people are always dismissing young teenagers when they most need the acknowledgment.

Anonymous said...

An instance like that shows that there are good people in the world. Sometimes we start thinking everyone who's a stranger is bad, but it's not that way.

Secretia

Mike said...

It is nice to hear things like this. I love it when people do stuff without expecting anything in return!

Anne said...

Yeah.... We had a random act of kindness a few years back, someone bought us dinner so we planned our pay it forward and one day while in our car at McDonald's we told the worker we would like to pay for the car behind us. My girls were able to turn around in their seats and see the look on the faces in the car when they were told their lunch had already been paid for... priceless. I think we are due for another RAK soon.

Sue said...

Your post brought a few tears to my eyes. I believe in the good in people and "practicing random acts of kindness". Thank you so very much for sharing this with everyone. It is an important life lesson, especially in todays world.
Take care, Sue

SkylersDad said...

That is a great story! This is my idea of what religion is, not an almighty god, but people all being kind to each other.

MommyTime said...

Pay it forward is the best kind of kindness. This is great.

Anonymous said...

Oh how wondeful, my mom always told me to be nice to everyone because we might be entertaining angels unaware, it is so awesome to hear a reasl life story of this practice...

Scope said...

I love random acts of kindness. Have done some myself. Probably not enough. Will work on that.

Beth said...

Awwww! What a sweet story!

CrazyAssMomma said...

that. is. AWESOME.

pay it forward.

LOVE IT.

Sprite's Keeper said...

It's easy to believe in angels when you ARE one, Vodka.
GB will do a world of good with people like you leading the way.

The Rambler said...

People like that help me keep sane in the crazy world of ours.

Thanks so much for sharing the story!!

Poppy B. said...

Awwwwww ... great story! After a rough day, that's the kind of thing that makes me want to give the internet a smooch.

I'll settle for giving you hugz at BlissDom! :D

Fragrant Liar said...

I got money like that once, when I'd lost my mom's last five bucks. One of our family friends saw me balling my eyes out and took pity on me. Told me to run the $$ into the house and tell Mom I found what I thought I'd lost. I never forgot that. Never will.

Unspoken said...

I love stories that remind us all of the good that can be in people!

ChiTown Girl said...

aw...that just made my heart smile!

LadyFi said...

Such a great lesson to learn in life!

Formerly known as Frau said...

I love stories like that....I bet Golden Boy will remember that for years to come.

mo.stoneskin said...

I'm afraid you've been had.

Actually, I told him to go buy his mum a flower and a creme egg.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I love that. It's not a handout - it's an invitation to pass on good will.

Angels show up in the strangest places...

Suzy said...

How do you know GB didn't learn that if he whined long enough strangers would throw money at him?

Because that's the lesson I've learned here today.

Unknown said...

I love random acts of kindness... and teaching our kids to pay it forward is an awesome concept.

Sometimes strangers can teach our kids something in a moment that they wouldn't hear from us in a lifetime.

Wendy said...

Uummmmmm... Your links both go to the UrbanDictionary....
Didn't you want us to go give some Bloggy love to Anna?
Or maybe I'm confused.
Happens all the time!
=-)

Real Live Lesbian said...

You just warmed my cockles! ;)

Christy said...

Aw that it is so sweet! Love angels like this in our everyday lives!

Desert Songbird said...

I've always felt that the best way to teach or lead is by example.

Susan Higgins said...

If everyone performed random acts of kindness, we'd have a happier world. I love this story!

Mike said...

Hopefully GB remembers the lesson. Every once in a while I do a free treatment for someone who is poor and really needs it. I tell them that someday someone else will need help from them and to help them. Some look at me like I'm crazy and some get it.

Mags said...

I believe in Angels too...great post!!!

Anna Lefler said...

OH, you are just so AWESOME! Thanks for the blog love, my dear. You are one of *my* angels...and I'm a lucky girl to have you!

XOXOXOXO

Anna

w said...

great story. thanks for sharing that.

also. it made me all emotional. and i don't get emotional. fo' serious.

imma grab your button. because i can't really grab anything else around here...

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

What a nice thing for your son; bet he'll always remember that. And pass it on...

Anonymous said...

A complete strange man gave your son money?!
I think you should have asked this strange man to see his driver's license.
I'm just in my twenties, childless but from childhood it's been pounded in my head to NEVER accempt money or candy from complete strangers.

Sarah Ebner said...

Great story, thank you. Also, thank you for the great blog. I've never commented before, just looked, but somehow felt I had to this time!