Simply doing his job

I've become a regular at a weekly class at my local gym. I really look forward to it every week.

This 24-Hour Fitness has a private parking lot in a business area. Lucky for those who work-out, parking tickets are validated in the gym for up to 2 hours. In typical LA fashion, if it weren't validated it's $2 per 20 minutes. Yikes! With validation, 25 cents total.

Since moving to LA I've vowed never to spend quarters on anything other than parking meters and laundry. It's for the best. And now I've started keeping my smaller loose change in my door handle, just for those times at the gym where they ask me for my token 25 cents. (I like to call it my penny for every hour that 24-Hour Fitness is open and another penny for good luck.)

This week I dug out three dimes from my door handle when I approached the man in the parking booth. I rolled down my window and handed my dimes. Whoops, I dropped one on the road during the exchange. "Sorry," I say. I start to open my door to retrieve it for him to pay my toll and he says, "Don't worry about it." Then he hands me my nickel change and says, "Have a good night."

So, not only did I drop the dime and not have to pick it up off the road, but this parking booth employee said it was okay, not to worry, and gave me my change anyway. Technically, I didn't even deserve the change because I didn't even pay the full toll!

I'm always so impressed by people who do their jobs well and are friendly  while doing so and this kind man reaffirmed my appreciation for those who simply do their job and do it well. Thank you, kind sir!

Another Warm Parking Lot Story

By Jan Sakuma, 365 Days of Service, HI Region

The older woman collecting shopping carts story brought back a warm memory for me. It was from a not so happy time. We were walking in a church parking lot, on the way to my father's funeral. My grandmother, who was about 87 at the time, was walking slowly to the church. Also walking thru the parking lot was an equally elderly female.  My grandmother hurried, as any 87 year old is capable of, to assist. She gently placed her arm under the arm of the other person, and supported her, helping her balance as they walked. My grandmother at the time was possibly 95 lbs dripping wet. She had a slight curl to her upper body, and often struggled with lower back pain. None of this was an issue at the time. Watching from behind, this picture of two strangers (as my grandmother did not live on our island) walking slowly arm in arm was one I would not forget.

School on Wheels

For over a year I've bee fortunate to tutor students through School on Wheels. The mission of School on Wheels is "the enhancement of educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Our goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide the with the highest education possible."

School on Wheels was started by Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher, 1993. The LA Times repots that 13,500 students were homeless in the Los Angeles Unified School District last academic year. School on Wheels helps to combat effects of homelessness on these children by enlisting the help of volunteers to literally take bring school on wheels. Tutors meet students in shelters, group homes, motels, and on the streets.

In my personal experience, I've tutored three students at three different shelters in my local area. My first student, a 12-year-old male, left his shelter suddenly in between two of our sessions to move to another location. Without a chance to wish him well, this was a real wake-up for me on the unpredictable day-to-day life of these kids. Another student was a 6-year-old female who, studying through the eyes, mind, and imagination of the 6-year-old, brought much joy to every one of my weeks. She made every lesson fun just by her good nature and always made me feel at home in her "home." And now I tutor a 15-year-old male  whose gentle demeanor and good work ethic brings him much success in school. Tonight he took great pride in showing me his powerpoint on his travel assignment. His destination of choice: Hawai'i. On the agenda: 7 days, 6 nights at a great hotel, eating at restaurants galore, diving to see sharks, snorkeling, sky diving, swimming with dolphins, and much more. Everything is possible. 

It's wonderful to learn through these children - their perspective continues to teach me!

Please read this article featuring SOW from this past Saturday's LA Times.

Bring Treats into the Office

Monday, Monday. Monday blues. Monday is hardly given the credit of being a day to cheer about.

But this Monday was one to celebrate. Why? In our office Monday was paired with irresistable treats!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, view below the what quickly turned our Monday to be a very warm-welcomed day in the work week.

The scone assortment. Including one with chunky chocolate chips!

Sweet Lady Jane!

This would turn any Monday nay-sayer into a hopeful believer.

Many thanks to our generous colleagues who delivered goodess-in-a-box to turn our Monday - and our week - right around!

Bryan's impressed.

Mail a letter

Believe it. This is one box of many that holds nearly every hand-written letter I've ever received. Some might call it obsessive, others might call it hoarding, I prefer to call it treasure.

The hand-written letter is becoming a lost art. Please help.

With the convenience of email, the invent of Facebook and messaging, and all the other ways technology has made our lives easier - some things, like letter writing, have become old fashioned, too much time, too much effort, too slow.

Let this serve as Exhibit A on why letter writing shall never be replaced! From time to time I go back to these boxes, look through the the thoughtful notes that others have written me, and soak in every word. These letters remind me of days past, encourage me with positive thoughts and energy, and always leave me so filled and thankful for the wonderful people in my life. 

And who isn't thankful for a piece of mail that arrives that isn't a credit card offer you shred, a bill you have to pay, or the junk mail you got from who knows where not to mention wondering how on earth they got your information?   

Please for me and the children of the future world, fight the good letter-writing, mail-sending fight! Whether it's a letter to update on life, words of encouragement or thanks, or a simply hello, write someone a letter and slip it in the mail. Go ahead, surprise and make someones day today!

Giving Bank

Daeni, a very good friend of mine, recently gifted me with this wonderfulness - A Giving Bank!

So perfect. The front of the bank says, "A wish for someone else is the BEST wish of all" and the tag accompanying encourages us to "Help children save to make a wish come true for someone else."

Every little bit makes a difference and if there's one way I've learned that is by saving loose change. While I don't miss the loose change from yesterday, over time this loose change seemingly grows exponentially! I'm looking forward to start this saving and am taking any suggestion for a worthy cause to give my donation.

What a wonderful way to support children's learning of how important it is to give to others. Thanks Giving Bank and thanks to my dear friend Daeni! 

Two kinds of people in the parking lot at the grocery store

By Kimmy Lamborn, 365 Days of Service, FL Chapter (by way of Del-a-where)

On Wednesday I was in the parking lot of the Publix grocery store.  I got out of the car and popped the trunk to get my shopping bags and when I was done I spotted this small, older, smiling women.  She was humming as she passed me pushing her cart.  I smiled because, well, she was smiling.  I watched her as I walked through the lot to the stores entrance. 

She collected three carts on her way in.  You know, the straggler carts, the ones that bump into your car because customers don’t return them to their safe little cart tunnel thing.   ( I have no idea what those are really called.)  She was in front of me as I entered.  She simply returned the three carts and proceeded into the store.  And then, in the entrance way, it hit me.  Not only had this woman collected three straggler carts and brought them all the way into the store, she, while smiling the entire time, didn’t even use a cart once in the store. (Note:  She was not an employee.) 


That’s when I realized, there are two kinds of people in the parking lot at the grocery store.  The ones who collect the stragglers and the ones who just walk right by.  I never really thought of it as service until that day and the more I thought about it the more I realized it totally is. 

I wonder which one are you?