There were 13 patients, and their families assembled in preparation for ‘Family Day’, a monthly event scheduled for parents, siblings and spouses to visit their loved ones who had found the need and begun their journey toward recovery of their illness.  “Before we begin, we would like to thank one of our parents here today, for the generous donation that she gave to our program”.  I was handed a greeting card.  Later that day, I opened their thank you card,  inside were 13 scribed mini-paragraphs of appreciation and gratitude, from each and every person in the program, thanking me for making possible, the purchase of a new PlayStation2 for their lounge, a place where new intakes to their program spend all of their waking hours.   Supplies and items to occupy their time are purchased with money that they raise or from donations received.  “We are touched and grateful for your generous and thoughtful contribution to the welfare of our community”, “Thank you, we are all very excited! “, “Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness”, “From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you, not just for the donation, but also for being such an inspiration.  More people should be like you, a true heart with genuine care and compassion.  Thank you for restoring my faith in mankind”.  These are some of the mini-paragraphs I received and read inside their card.

With sincere gratitude to the North Bay Warriors of Hope, our local breast cancer survivors dragon boat racing team, I was able to channel funds to an important cause, and change 13 lives today, and many more in the future.

We all possess the ability to reach out and give to others.  Whether its money, material items, words of encouragement, a greeting card, a smile, a prayer or a compliment, giving to others gives us such a great sense of joy. No amount of money kept to oneself can buy this feeling of making a contribution.

What can you give?  Who’s life can you make a difference in?  Will you make a difference today?

By reaching out and offering something to someone, you may or may not receive thirteen thank yous, but I promise that you will be blessed with an internal sense of joy that no amount of money can buy.