[Nfbk] Thanks and Giving

[Joey Couch]

"Thanks and Giving"

True gratitude manifests itself in how we choose to give to others.
When we truly feel grateful, we feel a compelling desire to help other
people. Perhaps that’s why “thanks” and “giving” so often go together.

At least it did for two neighbors of over 50 years. Joy and Dixie
lived across the street from each other ever since they were both
first married. They developed a deep friendship over the decades. When
they were young, they acted as second mothers to each other’s
children. They helped each other through life’s ups and downs. When
they grew older, they looked after each other. They were grateful for
each other.

Perhaps the sweetest demonstration of gratitude came in the last
months of Joy’s life. Joy was dying of cancer and could do little more
than lift her head to look out the window. Dixie, who had health
concerns of her own and a terminally ill husband to care for,
determined that she would plant a beautiful flower garden in her front
yard. That way, every time Joy looked out her window, she could enjoy
the beauty of those flowers.

Not until Joy passed away did Joy’s adult children discover that Dixie
had stopped planting flowers in her backyard. She only planted flowers
in her front yard, so Joy could see them. Dixie wanted Joy to know how
grateful she was for her, how much she loved her. And so even though
it was difficult to tend a flower garden in her advanced age, she gave
her friend something beautiful to look at during the last days of her
life.

What a selfless gift of gratitude!

These dear friends lived the truth that real gratitude inspires us to
think and do for others. Indeed, life is so much more meaningful when
we choose to live in thanks—and giving—daily.








-- 
Joey Couch
phone 606-216-8033.
email ki4vjd at gmail.com
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