Holiday Values

Back in the “good old days” when an ice cream sundae cost a fraction of what they do today, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “50¢,” replied the waitress.  The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “35¢!” she brusquely replied.  The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip. 

The American values that we often debate over, talk about and often times long for are not vanished.  They are perhaps at times a bit dusty, but not gone.  As we enter the holiday season I challenge each of us to send at least one greeting card to a soldier or retiree at a nursing home whom we don’t know.

The cost?  Price of a stamp and a card.  The return?  Priceless for the soldier who may feel forgotten, the retiree with no family.  Send more than one, maybe one each or each week if you are blessed enough to have that resource.

Check your phone book (ok, Google) to find a nursing home in your area.  Or simply send a card to:

A Recovering American Soldier

 c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20307-5001

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One card at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals