Lesson Learned

1/3/2013  Lesson Learned
It is my maternal grandmother who is the recipient of my second gift.  My grandma is 88 years old.  She became a nurse during WWII and retired after a many years of service in the early 90's. She is the mother of 6, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 10.  We refer to her these days as "GG" which stands for "great grandma."  Tonight, I decided to give of my time and self and call her.

I owe her so much.  I went to college 6 hours from home but 1 hour from GG.  For 2 years I spent countless weekends with her.  She cooked my meals, made my bed, laundered my clothes.  She never asked for anything in return, just loved my company and visits.
With my busy life I often go months without calling her.  While I think of her often, its those day to day things that get in my way and prevent me from following through with that, "I need to call her" thought.

Well, not tonight, tonight, I called her twice. Yep, of course,... no answer the 1st time,... 2nd time I got her voice mail,... while pondering my next course of action,... she called me back!!!
We did the initial, how are you feeling check,... whats going on with the family check,... but I wanted to ask more, to share more, give more,... I asked her about her day today,...
I was surprised to hear that she spent some of her day helping others... Early this morning, she visited a friend who usually wears slippers because she can't reach her feet, to put socks and shoes on her, so that she could go to a doctor’s appointment. Later she visited another "elderly" friend who partially blind to help her put eye drops in her eyes. She had 2 more visits like that today,... just in her senior living community.

I am honored to have her as my grandma,... I love her with all my heart and want to live my life generously as she does.

Some gifts we think we are giving to others, are gifts that others are already giving.