As Little Authors got locals into the Thanksgiving spirit with their recent Gobble Wobble, a blackboard and chalk was placed at the entrance of the Corner Lot for people to write something they were thankful for.
There were a lot of good options already written by the time I arrived, including a campaign for ‘brisket’ with five people already adding tick marks to the entry by mid morning.
I saw ‘community,’ ‘family’ and ‘friends’ were already taken so I looked around and saw my friend, Heather Bradberry-Rasberry showing kids how to wobble as they carried a small pumpkin on a spoon through the turkey crawl. I wrote “volunteers.”
I think it was a good word, because there are so many people throughout our community and the world that do so much on their own time and without pay, because they want to make life easier for others.
I realize now though that I could have bucked my high fallutin’ English degree and just wrote “helpers.”
Fred Rogers (aka “Mister Rogers”) had a great quote that you will see passed around often: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. Yo u will always find people who are helping.’”
I realize in reflecting on this that I have had many great role models throughout my life. One was Aunt Vicky, who credits Rogers as an inspiration for her going into the ministry. I can remember the countless hours my mom spent preparing lessons for both my elementary school and Sunday School. My dad was an avid believer in Christmas in Action when it was still going and is lightning fast to respond to other problems when they are presented.
Wyndi has been an immense help to me throughout our relationship and is quick to volunteer for any needs she sees. Likewise with all my friends. This is also true for Dublin. Google will present me with pictures I took on the anniversary of their capture. Last week, I was greeted with pictures I took seven years ago of the canned food drive at Dublin school. I considered how many thousands of pounds of food I’ve witnessed Dublin families giving to neighbors in need.
And this was through Dublin kids who were helped by their parents in selflessness.
I have to believe that seeing this generosity makes an impression.
If we look for the helpers and find them, we can find the worth in becoming helpers ourselves. Thanks for helping, Dublin!
Paul Gaudette is the managing editor at the Dublin Citizen and can be reached at 445-2515 and publisher@dublincitizen.com.