A Sweet Story about a Child, Kindness and Hope

Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the blossoms,
Kind deeds are the fruits.
~19th century rhyme used in primary schools

Robert finishing up a dishtowel for his mother.

Like every grandchild, our 8 year old grandson Robert is beautiful, brilliant and extraordinary in every way. Let me share a story about this little guy, his kindness and his hope.  Never fear, as you can see from  this photo, there is a sewing connection.

Some time ago in Sunday School the children filled clay pots with paper flowers made with their own little hands.  Additionally, each child made a card to accompany his floral arrangement. The next Sunday, these were delivered next door to residents of the senior apartment complex, which is a mission of our church.  Robert and his sister Laurel were not in town with us that weekend, so they did not participate in the delivery or meet the recipients.

A week later, a thank you note for Robert was received at the church office.  An office volunteer reported that “a little old lady shuffled all the way over here with her walker” to deliver the note.  The carefully printed card expressed thanks for the flowers and especially for the message which Robert had chosen,  “God is always with you.”  Each child had selected his own greeting without suggestion. Most said “Have a nice day,” or “God bless you,”  but Robert had another thought.

He was absolutely delighted with the note which was signed “Miss Charleine, #752.”

The next week he decided to bring Miss Charleine a bouquet of real flowers after church. He was excited about meeting his new friend.  I did not call ahead for fear Miss Charleine would feel obliged to offer cookies or whatever.  We would just stop briefly.

Laurel was a little sad that she had not received a note for her flower pot and asked if the flowers for Miss Charleine could be from both of them.  Robert told her no, Miss Charleine was HIS little old lady.  She should get one of her own.  Laurel pouted.

Robert was disappointed that Miss Charleine was not at home when we visited.  He asked the receptionist at the front desk if she would please see that Miss Charleine got the flowers.

Just then Laurel popped up, “Excuse me, but do you have a Little Old Lady for me?”  We knew then that we should have put a stop to the L-O-L moniker.

The receptionist laughed, saying, “Honey, we have a building full of little old ladies!”  She took our name and promised to find an appropriate friend for Laurel.

The next week, yet another note was delivered to the church office by Miss Charleine, thanking Robert for the flowers.

He was really pumped up then.  He was done with flowers and said he wanted to make he something that would last.

Since he loves to embroider on my Brother Quattro, he decided to embroider a dishtowel (from my handy dandy stash of blanks) for his elusive friend.  As we sat in front of the computer so he could select a design, I was surprised by his choice.  When he wrote this note I understood.

Again, last Sunday, we tried to visit Miss Charleine, but apparently she is an active, busy lady and we missed her again.  I expect she will send another thank you note to Robert.  This is developing into a nice relationship.

We never got a call about a lady for Laurel.  So we connected her with a charming elderly Latin couple from church who live in the same building as Miss Charleine.

Miss Mabel grew up in Puerto Rico and Mr. Sergio is from Cuba.  When we visited last week, he spoke to the children very simply but eloquently about life in Cuba and the hardships caused by Communist politics.  The children were fascinated.  It seems apparent that they will learn a lot from these immigrants and their passionate appreciation of American freedom.

More visits are planned.  And we HOPE to catch up with Miss Charleine one of these Sundays.  Who knew that a simple Sunday School activity could reap such benefits.

Now, isn’t this a sweet story of children, kindness and HOPE?

“No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.”  Emma Goldman, author

COMING SOON–Nursery Closet Sale #7.  Will I ever get this closet unstuffed?