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Saturday, December 26, 2015

A Small Act of Kindness

A favourite customer - Southern Gal, whom I love dearly - stopped by, taking a short break from her busy Christmas celebrations with her family, to bring this news. It is just the sort of heartwarming lesson that suits Christmas but tinged with sadness in that the lady who is its subject has died. But her example is a shining light.
“The Power of Kindness”
We so often fail to realize the power kindness has on someone. Even something as simple as a hug from an elderly woman can have a lasting effect on battle wounds brought home by a young man from war.  
A woman who was known at Fort Hood as the “Hug Lady” passed away this December after a long battle with breast cancer.  

Her name was Elizabeth Laird and she boosted the spirits of thousands  of American soldiers over nearly a decade as they shipped off to places like Afghanistan and Iraq.   Many of the soldiers never returned.   We weep this season for those who didn’t. 
But for those that did, one elderly lady was beloved by all the men and women who were serving our country deploying out of the Texas military base.  She never failed to be there, rain or shine, to send each and every one of them off with a hug from Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport.
How many of us can be remembered as 'Beloved'? It is something to aim for.  
“This is my way of thanking them for what they do for our country,” Laird told Fox News in November from her hospital bed in Copperas Cove, Texas.  “ I wasn’t hugging in 2003.  I used to just shake their hands.  But one day, a soldier hugged me, and that’s the way it started.” 
“You were there when I left in 2008 for Iraq and then again when I returned in 2009,” wrote Michael Singleton.  “I was nervous because I had never been outside of the country and I had just lost my grandmother.  That one hug made a huge difference that year, because it reminded me  of how my grandmother was.”
“I met her twice, as many of the soldiers from Fort Hood do,” former U.S. Army Capt Rob Allen told Fox news in November.  “She was there when we left and she was there when we came back.”
There were often hundreds of soldiers waiting in line, many returned from deployment in the middle of the night.  But that did not deter Laird from her devotion to our service members.  
“It was 2 or 3 in the morning, and there she was- hugging everyone as they got off the plane,” Allen said.  “It was the middle of the night and without fail, this lady was there.  A special lady.”  - Fox News website
As we wrap up this Christmas season let’s take a lesson from this woman.   
It’s up to us to pass love onto each other, even if it only comes in the form of a hug.  We are just passing through here and sometimes God sends saints to lift our spirits in the form of grandmothers 
Merry Christmas
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing.”
Hebrews 13:2


I can always count upon the Kindness of my Southern Gal, and with deep gratitude. 

Back in my younger day, a Lady farewelled a Knight rather differently.
But time passes.

She and I raise a glass and drink to Elizabeth.  Join us.


Will someone (or many) remember your Kindnesses in 2016?

Pax.

8 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for this.... She seemed to be a special lady for sure. I am sure Christ welcomed her with open arms....

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    1. Little old ladies make fine guardian angels :)

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  2. Ms. Laird had such a profound impact on the soldiers she interacted with that they raised over $95,000 to help with her medical bills. People like her show that there is still good in this fallen world. I join you and Southern Gal in raising a glass and drinking to Elizabeth.

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    1. Happy to have you join us and let us know that also heartening news. Yes, kindness spreads. And, you know, it is so easy ! Let us all be kind in 2016, even for just one small act a day.

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  3. A heart warming story that brought a big smile to my face. What an amazing lady giving so much love and light :-)

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    1. Old, frail, ill and Powerful. To our last we can be kind.

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  4. Replies
    1. It isn't so hard to do, to give a smile and wish someone well. A helping hand.

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Ne meias in stragulo aut pueros circummittam.

Our Bouncer is a gentleman of muscle and guile. His patience has limits. He will check you at the door.

The Tavern gets rowdy visitors from time to time. Some are brain dead and some soul dead. They attack customers and the bar staff and piss on the carpets. Those people will not be allowed in anymore. So... Be Nice..