Our Generous Boy

I just wanted to jot down some experiences we've had with generous Evan lately. He really amazes me sometimes. It seems like when I tell him about the kids who have few if any toys that he might think about donating his old toys to, he doesn't really care. I'm sure he cares, but it just doesn't seem real to him. However, if there's someone who needs help and he sees that need, he will just jump in to help. Here are a few examples:

1. Our friend wanted to go hike a really tall mountain with his brothers but didn't really have the money to get or rent the gear and pay for the training you need to get before you can safely make the climb. His wife was telling me this in our family room and Evan overheard. He ran out and came back a minute later with all of the money from his piggy bank...about $1.17 or something like that. He put it in a sandwich bag and handed it to my friend and said it was for her husband to pay for his climbing gear.

2. Evan and Maren had a sleepover at my mom's house one Friday night. The tradition is that on Saturday morning, after breakfast, they hit the local toy store and my mom gives them a couple of dollars to buy something. After the toy store Evan said, "Grammy, can we go out to lunch?" My mom said, "Not today, I'm all out of money." Well, was she really all out of money? Probably not. But that's what we tell our kids sometimes when we're not willing to pay to go out to eat. Well, when she dropped him off at home, he ran straight to his money and started a collection in another baggie. I think he got 62 cents for her. You've really got to be careful what you say around this sweet boy.

3. Our friend Steve's dog died. Evan had met this dog a couple of times and enjoyed having him do tricks for treats. A couple days after the dog died, Steve came over to help Michael with something. Evan walked up to Steve and said, "I'm sorry your dog died." I thought that was really thoughtful of him to remember. Then he ran away. A couple minutes later he came out with Patch...his absolute most favorite stuffed animal in the whole world. The one he made at Build-A-Bear that he sleeps with, takes to preschool when they're allowed to take things like that, just loves like crazy. Yeah, Patch. He comes out with Patch and hands him to Steve and explains that Steve can keep Patch because his dog died. Steve tried to tell Evan that he couldn't take him but, with tears in my eyes, I told Steve he'd better just accept it and be really grateful.

This is definitely something we want to cultivate in our children...this spirit of giving to those who are in need. Evan may end up giving the shirt off his back to someone one of these days but I couldn't be more proud of him and the choices he's making.