Caring for Others

I recently listened to a podcast in which the host shared valuable lessons his father had taught him. He spent a lot of time describing how he learned to shave and remembering his father's words of encouragement. While listening, thoughts of my father came to mind. As an Eagle Scout to his core, the principle of "being prepared" was central to his life. Looking in the trunk of my mother's car made it clear how deeply these principles guided his life. He stowed away a sleeping bag, a headlamp, and a first aid kit for her, just in case. My father also taught me how to pack for a camping trip, tie a bowline knot, and, of course, how to shave. 

My dad served as a doctor, and making house calls was still commonplace in small-town New England. In the winter, digging out before the snowplows arrived was essential. I remember vividly watching my father use a snowblower and seeing the joy it brought him despite the weight and noise of the intimidating machine. Clearing twelve inches of snow from the driveway and sidewalk was a notable accomplishment. And then he surreptitiously cleared the sidewalks in front of our neighbors' houses and removed the packed snow the plows left behind in front of their driveways. They hadn't asked for help, but he knew it would make a difference—that's what Scouts had taught him. 

The unspoken lessons—the moments when we think no one is watching—leave the deepest impressions. The subtle truths our children absorb mirror how we respond to frustration, celebrate others' successes, and treat those who can offer us nothing in return. They learn not only from what we say but also from how we live. Reflecting on my father’s acts of clearing snow for our neighbors, I realize it isn't solely about kindness. It is about creating a small ripple of connection and care in a world that needs a bit of grace. The greatest lesson we can teach isn't tied to tasks or rules but rather how we leave people feeling. Are we teaching our children to add to the world's burdens or to lift it, even just a little, whenever they can?

Be well, and Happy Holidays!

John