Sharing the Gift of Caring

[easy-share]

In the Greater Toronto Area (Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto), winters are generally mild. The snowfall generally begins in late November with a couple of inches of snow. The vehicles generally receive a thin coat and the streets do not require sanding. So, there’s no need for snow plows. These are generally expected in January, February, and sometimes March.

As a result, homeowners simply go about their business. Some neighbours say a brief ‘hello’ to the nearest neighbour and go off to work or other appointments. Very few people socialize with their neighbours. In fact, frequently, it’s only during the spring or summer months that people really notice their neighbours. The winter of 2013-2014 changed all of that and opened the door for extensive opportunities for sharing the Gift of Caring.

On the morning of that spectacular ice storm, communities began to experience sharing of that Gift. Neighbours deliberately went from house to house to inquire about the status of others. They removed the decorative ice images that had formed on cars and other vehicles and asked about the status of power at the various homes. Some neighbours visited the nearby grocery store, purchased food items and shared with the ones who remained in their homes. They helped to clear ice from cars and other vehicles and moved branches that overhung driveways so that folks can move their vehicles.

This spectacular experience was followed by snow storms that left several feet of snow.  Again, neighbours shared the Gift of Caring as they helped one another in clearing the accumulated snow which became mountains of ice. Those who owned snowblowers came to the rescue helping to make the job easier. Neighbours began to extend thanks and share their cellular phone numbers in the event that others needed to connect with them.  A bonding had begun!

We are all thankful that many of us have received the Gift of Caring from someone who was once a complete stranger.  It is truly a blessing to receive the Gift of Caring from someone.  However, we all possess this incredible Gift of Caring. Let’s think for a moment about the response from someone who might have benefited from the Gift that we might have shared. We might have made a positive difference in the lives of the recipients. That event may be totally unrelated to the ice storm.  Although this post has focused on the ice storm that miraculously introduced it, can we think of other times when we have deliberately allowed ourselves to engage in Sharing this wonderful Gift?  We might want to consider sharing the Gift of Caring on a daily basis.