By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
As Christmas approaches, we pay more attention to the needs of others as we absorb daily doses of man’s inhumanity to man on TV newscasts, it is heartening to know that acts of human kindness still happen daily.
We’re proud that our communities continue to be blessed with individuals like these:
- The social media followers who respond to efforts of their friends to replace family Christmas tree ornaments lost in this year’s floods.
- The neighbors who always shovel snow or mud from the driveways and sidewalks of the elderly, disabled and others in need.
- The hometown pharmacist who’s more interested in how quickly you get your medicine than how soon you pay the bill.
- The health care providers who volunteer their time and energy at free clinics for those who can’t afford medical care.
- The funeral directors who provide thousands of dollars of free end-of-life arrangements to families who cannot pay, simply because they believe every person is entitled to a decent burial.
- The person who gave an automobile to a single mother in his church so that she could find a job and reclaim her self-esteem.
- The businessman who demonstrates his Christian values by clothing and feeding those less fortunate.
- The adoptive and foster parents who demonstrate each day that loving, supportive families don’t have to be biologically related.
- The recovering addicts who befriend and coach others trying to escape the horrors of addiction through rehabilitation.
- The volunteer firemen who are paid little, if anything, to put their lives on the line to save our lives and property.
- The animal rescuers who believe so passionately that God’s precious creatures include those with more than two legs.
- And those kindly folks who always show up at your house with good food and warm hugs when someone is seriously ill or has lost a loved one.
Perhaps Tiny Tim said it best: God bless us everyone.
Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com
