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Learning about giving from an amazing friend with a huge heart
This is a picture of me and my friend Rose handing a Christmas gift to our favorite Kroger grocery cart assistant, Amy. For at least three years I picked up Rose on Saturday mornings and we went grocery shopping at Kroger. Rose knows someone everywhere she goes. She loves getting to know everyone and she quickly became friends with most of the Kroger workers.
Eventually, the manager began to run to find Rose and update her with the latest updates of his life! He even followed us out and put Rose’s groceries in the trunk (just Rose, not mine)! The workers all knew us as “Rose”, and “Rose’s friend.” We had a favorite checker, Elaine, and a favorite grocery cart assistant, Amy. Amy was the hardest worker I have ever seen. She was outside collecting carts in all kinds of terrible weather. Rain, ice, wind, heat, etc. She outworked all of the teenagers.
One holiday season, Rose said she wanted to get a gift for Elaine and Amy. I was really touched because in all my life I never thought to get a gift for the grocery store workers. I told her I would get the gifts and we could both sign the cards. We did that and what an amazing moment it was giving Elaine her gift! Her eyes watered and she was so grateful! We told her we loved her. Amy was just as appreciative. The next holiday season, we remembered how great it felt to give those two gifts.
Gifts for every grocery store worker
I suggested we get a small gift for every worker at Kroger! I made miniature red felt stockings and we filled them with lip balm, a mini flashlight, and candy. We handed them out one Saturday morning. We both wore Christmas sweaters and light up necklaces. Rose wore blingy earrings and colorful socks. We both wore Santa hats. It was so great. I pushed the cart and watched Rose do her thing loudly announcing to everyone, “Merry Christmas!” She handed out all of the gifts. Everyone was amazed. One young man in the meat department said that he had never gotten a gift from a customer before.
That started a tradition. The next year my husband came along and wore an elf hat. The manager eagerly gave us a tour of the whole store, even the employee only areas. I treasure those experiences and am grateful to my friend Rose for teaching me to notice and consider everyone I meet when I make my giving list. I also started a giving journal.
Keeping a giving journal
I had another amazing experience giving one year that I made a video about on my facebook page. You can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/juliesnotdyingtoday/videos/2749776161740013/ . After that experience, I started carrying $25 and $50 gift cards to the grocery card, or just Visa and Master cards in my purse. When the occasion arrived and I met someone who could use a gift card, I wanted to be prepared. I started to keep a “giving journal” and recorded the experiences. I have so many wonderful experiences that I am sure I got more out of it than anyone who received a gift card.
Now that I have cancer and a physical disability, I no longer go grocery shopping or any cooking. Therefore, I don’t have the opportunities like I used to, to give. Occasionally, I have given some gift cards to friends so they can do it for me and I love to hear their stories! By sharing this with you, I am hoping some of you will be inspired to carry on my tradition of giving and keeping a giving journal.
I created a 6 x 9 inch paperback giving journal that you can record your experiences in if you want, but you can use any notebook. The giving journal I created has space to record thirty giving experiences. It is wide ruled so that you can record in it or you can involve your kids if you want it to be a family experience. Of course, you can give anything and it doesn’t have to cost anything. Giving service is so meaningful too.
Other journals
In addition to the giving journal, I created other 6 x 9 inch paperback blank journals that would be good gifts or stocking stuffers. There is an I love horses journal, a Strength is Beauty journal (with a beautiful horse picture on the cover), an I love puppies journal, and a Dream Big Llama journal, These journals have 150 pages with college ruled blank lined pages and a place to record the date. Use them as a diary, a gratitude journal, goal setting journal, anything you can imagine.
Share your giving journal experiences
I would love to hear about your experiences. It would really lift my spirits this holiday season and I bet it would help others too. Share your story in the comments. I would love it.
Elizabeth J Lewis says
I am so sorry to hear 😢 of your illness, I love giving and right at this time I am volunteering, with the Boys And Girls Club. May God Bless You, and Prayers are with you. Liz
Julie Shill says
Thank you Elizabeth. The Boys and Girls club is a great place to volunteer with! I am sure that you are providing precious mentorship, love, and support. Thank you so much for sharing. I love to hear how others give and serve. It reminds me that the world is full of amazing, loving people! We need to spread that message to the world. It would erase a lot of fear.