Kaizen Chaos

When I was little we didn’t really have a lot of money. I constantly heard my mom say “we can’t afford it” or, “we don’t have enough money” for whatever it was us kids asked for. I hate those words to this day and will never say them. Instead, I prefer to say “it’s not really in my budget at this time,” which, I guess basically says the same thing but makes me feel just a little bit better.

When I heard my mom say those things I used to think about all the friends and family I knew who were “rich” in my naive eyes. I wondered why they couldn’t just share with us and then we’d all be equal and happy. Now that I’m older I realize and understand it doesn’t quite work that way. However, the year my dad lost his job around Christmas time I saw firsthand how much a little bit of goodwill can mean to someone.

Next door to us lived a widowed neighbor who had three kids of her own. One winter evening she came knocking on our door. I listened as she told my mom she was sorry to hear my dad lost his job, especially so close to the holidays. She held out her hand and gave my mom $100 saying that it wasn’t much, but she hoped it would help. I could tell my mom was surprised, and maybe even a little embarrassed; she thanked the neighbor repeatedly and I’m pretty sure both women were crying.

It almost makes me cry now just thinking about it. A hundred dollars was worth quite a bit more back then, and a whole lot more to a family who suddenly had no income at Christmas. I will never forget that night; it may be one of my earliest lessons about money.

So if you are one of the more fortunate ones who can spare a little this holiday season, please consider doing something nice for someone who is not as fortunate. One small gesture on your part may stick with them a lifetime.  (Thanks again, Mrs. Leedall, wherever you are.)

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