The connection choice

the importance of helping others

“When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect…to find ourselves in the other.” ~ Bell Hooks

Photo by John Cardamone on Unsplash

Whenever I add butter to a slice of bread, I sometimes think about my father, slathering gobs of butter onto saltine crackers…

As a child, that used to fascinate me. First of all because I didn’t like butter that much and I wondered how he could eat so much butter that way but secondly, because when I would comment about it, he would remind me that when he was a child, he made himself a promise…when he was grown up and could afford it, he would eat as much butter as he wanted, whenever he wanted.

It turned out to be a history lesson for me - that many people who lived during the Great Depression and World War II, did not have easy access to food unless they were wealthy and during the war itself, food was even rationed due to the war effort.

I can remember many stories my father used to tell from his childhood of growing up during the 1930’s and 40’s. In fact, both of my parents had memories of that time period, although my mother, being three years younger than my father, had less detailed memories.

My mother used to say that she didn’t realize they were poor because everyone around them lived in the same conditions.

And both of my parents remembered their mothers helping people who came to the door, asking for food, whether it was making the person a sandwich or a hot cup of coffee.

Compassion wasn’t something that disappeared when people were met with hard times. In fact, just the opposite occurred. When faced with people who needed help, our families did the best they could to help them.

Many years ago, I interviewed my parents and asked them specific questions about their families and their memories of their childhoods. I recorded that interview and I am so happy that I did.

Not only because it gives us the treasure of hearing the sounds of their voices (which I absolutely love to listen to) but we also have the stories, and their first hand accounts, of what the world was like when they were young.

I have been thinking about those stories and the lessons that they teach us. For my parents, their early experiences shaped their lives and they passed those values onto their children.

In essence, they supported programs that helped the poor because they knew what it felt like to be poor and if they could help it, they never wanted others to have that same experience.

The past few weeks we have watched as food pantries pop up all over the country, offering food to those who had lost their SNAP benefits.

I can’t help but think of my parents and grandparents, and the compassion that they not only taught us but perhaps, most importantly, lived out as examples.

Reminding us that when we see a struggling person we should look at them as they did - with compassion instead of judgement, remembering that literally we are all connected. And it is our responsibility to lend a helping hand whenever possible, just as they chose to do…

For information about why I started this newsletter, please go to the about section.

Tranquil Moments…

I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:

Photo by Jennifer Malphy.

This week’s Smile video

Chesterfield, Pa., utilities worker Calvin Godette has been gifting strangers – buying them coffee, groceries or gas – without thinking about much in return. A few months ago, he spotted a woman behind him at a fast-food drive-through who seemed sad, and decided he’d pay for her order. His generosity inspired the recently-widowed Denise Walters to further acts of kindness.

#spreadkindness #smilevideos

What I am reading…

This week I listened to the audio book version of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon.

I listened to this book throughout the week and it was absolutely captivating.

Here is the Amazon summary, “ For three decades following World War II, the Great Lakes overtook Europe as the epicenter of global economic strength. The region was the beating heart of the world economy, possessing all the power and prestige Silicon Valley does today. And no ship represented the apex of the American Century better than the 729-foot-long Edmund Fitzgerald—the biggest, best, and most profitable ship on the Lakes.

But on November 10, 1975, as the “storm of the century” threw 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves on Lake Superior, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men onboard down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for a half century.

In The Gales of November, award-winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crew mates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role Great Lakes shipping played in America’s economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking’s most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind—“the wives, the sons, and the daughters,” as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad.

Focused on those directly affected by the tragedy, The Gales of November is both an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, thrilling narrative history of America’s most-mourned maritime disaster.”

Children’s Corner…

While listening to Wisconsin Life on WPR I discovered a new children’s book about the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Please take a moment and listen to this wonderful story about the author and how her mother worked to have her late daughter’s manuscript created into this children’s book.

Photo memories…

“We take photographs as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone…”

I love this photo of my son Michael when he was a baby. His smile still lights up a room!

Mind/Body connections…

Allow energy to flow through the body with this yoga sequence that will improve posture and decrease stress.

Comedy Lift…

I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…

Music Moments

Music inspires me in many ways. Here’s Gordon Lightfoot singing The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald .….Enjoy!

Quote of the week

Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….

The Kindness Boomerang newsletter is a 2025 recipient of the Sunshine Blogger Award.