By Gramma Good – A grandparenting Expert
Important words of advice can come from our grandchildren. Their words remind us how much good there still is in the world and how smart they are. That happened to me recently in a message from my 9-year-old grandson.
“Honey! Honey!” (that’s my gramma name!) “Guess what I am going to do for Hanukkah? I am going to send food that will not perish to children in Africa! My mom will help me pick out the food. She will pay for the food instead of giving me presents for two nights of Hanukkah!” The words just poured out of his little mouth so fast! He was so excited! He was so joyful! He was giving up his presents for others. Unknowingly, he was speaking of the great value of charity.
“I am so proud of you! I am so happy that you are so happy helping others. I just love you so much,” I said. And I followed with, “Where in Africa are you going to send your nonperishable gifts? Africa is a very big place.”
There was a delayed response. He was thinking. “I don’t know,” he finally answered. “Where I can send my presents in Africa?”
This was my quick answer: “Ethiopia!”
“Where is that?” he asked.
Knowing he would like to figure this out for himself, I said, “Google Ethiopia! We will talk later.”
“Okay. Love you! Bye, Honey!”I got off the phone, with this precocious grandson of mine, and went to Google, fast!! I had to do ‘my’ research!!
What was the reason I blurted out Ethiopia?
Because there is the story of the Jews of Ethiopia known as Falasha Jews. Many have been airlifted out of Ethiopia to Israel. Those who remain are the poorest of the poor. They are supposedly descendants of the Jewish King Solomon. How perfect to send food to these unfortunate children? I would tell him the story of the Falasha tribe. He would be able to relate! He has been to Israel several times in his short life. Knowing this grandson, he will want to meet the Israeli Falashas on his next trip to Israel!
Values must be taught at a young age. Values are handed down from generation to generation. Even though this grandson of mine is just 9 years old, he “gets it!” He will teach the value of charity to his children as his parents have taught him. He will live his life doing kind things for others in need. That is how life is supposed to be: passing values from one generation to the next…full circle!
Maybe your grandchildren, after hearing this story, will contribute one of their gifts at Christmas or Hanukkah to some needy children’s group in your community.
Do something GOOD today: Perform a random act of kindness.
– See more at: http://grammagood.com/childs-words-wisdom/#sthash.rLWTLyfk.dpuf
