The Sweetest Thing Ever!

For months now I've been trying to teach Kennedy the importance of giving to those less fortunate than us. We have been very blessed in life and I want her to learn to share with those in need. One night we tried going through her old toys and separated out some that we could give away to others in need. Well, the pile of toys started off good but every few items or so that ended up in the give-away pile kept ending up back in her toy boxes. She just didn't want to part with her things saying "Now I don't get any toys!". I felt like a failure because I hadn't been able to teach her that very important lesson... until now. We picked up Kennedy and Rowan in Sheridan this afternoon and as we got off the exit to our house we saw a man with a sign asking for any little bit of help to get him some gas to get him home. Kennedy saw this and said "Mom, we need to stop and help that man... he needs our money, he needs our help".

If you have ever spent very much time in Billings you will notice that we have a regular group of beggars that are out everyday in the same spots with the same signs. I used to want to help them until I realized that no matter what you could do for them they would just continue in their ways.

This man on the side of the road seemed different. I'd never seen him before and I felt like he truly did need some help. I asked Lucas if I should turn around and go help him and he didn't think it was necessary, but Kennedy and I could not get him out of our minds. When we got home she went up to her piggy bank and got out all the "silver" coins, a $1 bill she had and then Lucas and I tossed in another $5. She begged me to drive back to the exit as fast as I could and hoped that he would still be there so she could help him. He was still on the side of the the road and Kennedy walked up to him with a little ziploc bag full of dimes, nickels, quarters and a few dollars and told him that he could have what she had to spare. Turns out he was driving into Billings to turn in some scrap metal but the business was closed due to Memorial day. He said he would be able to use the money to take care of himself until the next day when the scrap yard would be open. He also went to his truck and got Kennedy a small little porcelin tray that looks like open childrens hands. It wasn't much but it was nice that he wanted to do a little something back for her. We got back in the car and were driving home and she told me how happy she was that she could help that man out and that we needed to give to those who need things more than we do. I cried the whole way home and still do as I keep thinking about how generous she was. It was only a couple of dollars of coins from her piggy bank but I think she finally understood the meaning of charity. I am so proud of her and hope she remembers this lesson throughout life. I hope it also inspires others to do what they can to help those around them in need.