LINES

Standing in lines, I often meet new friends.

Today, at the Post Office, I was behind a well-dressed, elderly lady of African descent.

We watched a loquacious boy talking to his mother. He had thick, straight, black hair and large, heavily-lashed, black-brown eyes. She wore a pink, head scarf, indicating her Muslim faith. Quietly and patiently, with humor in her countenance, she listened to her son's questions and observations and made inaudible comments.

I soon engaged them in conversation. The six-year-old boy explained they were there to obtain his passport. His family was from Bangladesh, but the upcoming, three-month, summer vacation would be his first visit. With some embarrassment, he said he couldn't speak "Banglei." I assured him, after his trip, he would speak it fluently. His mother explained that she had not been home for nine years. Her other child, a fourteen-year-old daughter, had been to Bangladesh twice. Soon, she was joined by her husband, who had completed the transaction on behalf of his son.

As we observed the child, the elderly lady spoke of how the boy reminded her of her daughter as a child. She said, "My daughter asked constant questions. She always wanted to know more, and I never said no to her." Obviously, the woman had encouraged her daughter inquisitiveness and was proud of her professional accomplishments.

Farther down the line, I watched an African male and his Caucasian wife being loving and affectionate with one another. In an infant seat, he carried their infant daughter. She was also posing for her passport photograph. The child's mother was Canadian, and the couple planned to visit the mother's family.

I was smiling on leaving the Post Office. I love our human family.

THE HEALING POWER OF GIVING

The December 2011 issue of Ode, contains a series of articles on the healing power of giving.(odewire.com)

Author, Diana Rico cites various world religions views on giving.

"If you knew the power of generosity, you would not let a single meal go by without sharing it," the Buddha said ... Giving was advocated by the Buddha because it "both acknowledges the interdependence we have for each other and is the active practice of letting go, which is where freedom from suffering lies."

Paul exhorts, in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

In Islam, the Qu'ran discusses the practice of giving alms. "It is intended not only to provide welfare for needy Muslims but to purify the spirit of the giver (who is cleaned of greediness and selfishness) and the receiver (who is saved from the humiliation of begging and envy)."

The Torah commands its followers "to open your heart to the poor and to the needy kin in your land."

Other authors discuss the body, mind, spirit and social healing powers of giving for both the giver and the recipient.

Another family shared their abundance by selling their lavish home and giving half of their proceeds to charity.

So goes the circle of life. Peace and happiness is the result of sharing, loving and letting go.

THE GIVING GIFT

Are you wondering what to buy for someone who has everything he or she needs, plus some? For the child who has a myriad of toys, are you tired of throwing money down the drain? I am certainly tired of buying presents for folks that don't need anything.

I have struck upon the perfect solution, Heifer International, (www.heifer.org/worldark.org/catalog). For less than you would spend on an unneeded item, you can change a family's future.

For the past few years, I have given my adult children and their spouses a llama ($150), sheep ($120) or goat ($120). I have stayed on the practical side with my six
grandchildren, clothes. Each one of them also receives a flock of chicks, ducks or geese ($20), honeybees ($30) or trio of rabbits ($60). For those of you who are more affluent, consider a water buffalo ($250), heifer ($500) or camel ($850).

Included in their Christmas card, which states their gift to another, I include a sheet on how that particular animal or group of animals can create a new life for those who live in great need. My grandchildren enjoy reading about how their gifthelps someone else.

Last year, a friend of mine gave her husband a goat. She thought it matched his personality. He laughed.

Purchasing any one of these gifts can help nourish and create an income for a family. With the money, children can receive an education. As their animals multiply, part of recipient's obligation is to pass on a portion of their offspring to others in their community. Make a difference with your money. Help others.

STEPHANIE

The Firefly Diner,
Kittery, Maine,
Open 6:00 a.m.-to-2:30 p.m.,
Except Thursdays,
Breakfast all day,
Stephanie waits tables and lights the room.
Everyone feels special,
As she smiles and calls them, "Honey," "Sweetie," "Precious" and "Darling,"
Or she says, "Good for you, you cleaned your plate;
I grew up when you didn't waste food;
The ocean, she's kind of blustery today, and
Don't miss York's lighthouse."

While her customers eat, Stephanie hovers about the room,
Like a loving mother.
Because she's there,
The food tastes better.

HUMANITY

Ensconced in mall recliner - Demo, Dane Designs - I watch.
High-heeled woman struts in red, seeking to be chic.
Well-dressed man, with grey goatee, descends on escalator,
His noble demeanor slips as he carries sacks of food.
Many older, waddling women bear similar, plain descriptions.
Young, perky mothers carry babies.
With solicitude and care, an elderly woman, in red-plaid slacks, seats her feeble husband in nearby chair and heads off on mission.
Punked-up adolescent looking "cool" and shouting, "Who am I?"
Refreshingly wholesome, teenage girl pens job application.
Men, women and children walk to and fro.
Some erect, with strong strides, seemingly confident in their worldly niche.
Others, lost in life's maze, slouch in body and soul.
Most are in between, with glimpses of peace and clarity,
But more often than not, they put one foot in front of the other,
Hoping it treads on solid ground.

Upon rising, I join the walk.
To and fro we go, marching humanity.