beWARM

You can do no great things  – only small things with great love.

~Mother Teresa

After posting The Power of the Pen, I did start scribbling some thoughts, at least mentally – but it took a week before my thoughts were paper ready.

I wrote to my Mom and Dad.  Their lives reflect the beauty of  making the most of just a little in the way of material things; heaping doses of love are ever-present, filling  in the gaps.

With them, I had the good fortune to hit the jackpot in the familial lottery. 

While parts of my letter were for their eyes only, I feel as if you should know a bit about Dorothy and Lac. (my maiden name is LaCamera)

I cannot think of two more humble, generous, and caring people on this earth. Their lives have been punctuated with quiet service, both to family and friends, done graciously and with no expectations. 

Both Mom and Dad think of others before themselves; I so admire this about them. They think nothing of dropping everything to come to someone’s assistance in the midst of a predicament.

During the days when helping strangers stranded along the road was without peril, Dad would often come to their aid so that, one day, someone “would help one of his daughters if they were in the same situation”.  Dad was depositing goodness in hopes that we would be the recipients of another’s largesse at a time of need.

 Our schooling was a high priority for Dad; he did all he could to ensure that my sisters and I could go to college, making many sacrifices along the way.  His mindset was progressive in this regard; many Dads prioritized  marriage over higher education for their daughters during the late 1960’s.

Though Dad never finished his college degree,  in my mind he has attained an Honorary PhD. in kindness. 

He is the Giver of the Little Things, always bringing treats to the workers at his office (and yes, at 82, he still goes to work for a few hours a day). The employees at the bank and the post office also look forward to his goodies, along with the latest stories about his granddaughters and great-grandchildren.  Everyone loves my Dad.

In a book called The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, there is a scene where the father takes his daughter outside one night.  It is close to Christmas.  The family has no money for presents, but the father tells his daughter to look out at the thousands of stars in the sky, and pick a very special one, just for herself. This was his Christmas gift to her. 

This passage was so touching….and, in my mind, it describes my Dad to the T.  If he could give me -or anyone else – any star in the universe, he would.

 Lest I give the impression that I grew up with everything I wanted, I will say now that I survived Dad’s not allowing me to go to the local bowling alley, or hang out at the fried chicken drive-in where “everyone else was allowed to go”  (and the strawberry pie was soo good there, too).

As I started to raise my own children, I soon realized that he and Mom were strict because they loved me. I thank them for that (even though I thought their some of their rules were cruel and unusual punishment at the time).

Mom is the quiet strength in our family (and occasionally is The Maker of  The Little Things). Being around her calm and consistent demeanor is like snuggling under a warm blanket.  

She worked hard to keep Joni, Geri and I in check while Dad worked two jobs during our grade school years.  I have never heard her complain about much – even to this day.  Her unflappable and positive attitude always prevails.

Mom is amazing.

She is always there when we need a listening ear, or a piece of advice. Thoughts of us are always present, as she frequently sends articles of interest, emails (at 81, she is a whiz on the computer) and care packages. Her  grandchildren look forward to Nana’s boxes of yum!

With Mom, I have made peace with having to live with those awful bangs that were 1/2 inch from our hairline, and as a teen, the frequent reminders to “stand up straight” and “use some blush”.  I even survived the ritual of having to dust each rung of the 10 (yes, 10!) Venetian blinds in the den – every week.

And…I thank her for the countless times she made me practice piano when all I really wanted was to be playing outside with the rest of the kids in the neighborhod.

All humor aside, my parents gave us the biggest gift of all – their  example. 

 After almost 61 years of marriage, they are still best friends.

They continue to  serve as mirrors of God’s love, reflecting that love to everyone in their lives.  That, coupled with their goodness and giving hearts, leaves a legacy for the next generation.

I wish everyone could know them.

So, Mom and Dad, as this season of gratitude approaches….

“I thank my God every time I remember you”  ~Phillipians 1:3