A Cheerful Giver

This year, like all the other years before, I received a beautiful "Love and Blessngs" card and birthday check from my Grandmother. And just like every year before, in return, I wrote her a proper thank-you letter, and detailed how that money was spent.

I'm aware that birthday checks don't come everyday. And yes, I am probably too old for them by now.

So this year, for the first time, (insert "D'Oh! Why did I never think of this before?), I held an interesting experiment.

I gave the money away.
Well, most of it.

No blinks, no regrets, just the simple act of giving to people and causes that are near to my heart. More to the point, I chose ones that I thought Grandma would like: literacy, evangelism, breast cancer awareness, and current events.

And it was FUN! It was exciting deciding where to invest this October windfall. It's one thing to write a check in response to a campaign letter, or phone call, but it's entirely different to say, "Hey, I like you. Here's some money: keep up the good work!"

* I gave money to my friend S., who ran in Race for the Cure.

* Dinero was dashed off to my friend R., who will soon be entering her 10th year in the mission field.

* Moolah was mailed to Imagination Library, so that children who live in homes without books can now look forward to receiving a free book in the mail, EVERY MONTH from birth to age five. Yippee!

The last two on the list are important to the unique foundations of this country: a free press and saving for the future.

* NY Times. Now thrown at the end of my driveway in the mornings is "All The News That's Fit to Print." I love it. It reminds me that this giant blue watery ball of earth is full of interesting, complex, relevant people and places. We're all connected, whether we want to admit it or not.

* Rainy Day Fund. The rest of the birthday present this year went into savings. A smart woman (or nation, for that matter!) is one who knows how to save money and take care of things.

This gift I received this year is because my Grandmother knew how to save, as well as share.

Be well.