GENROZT: a gracious act that creates a joyful ache every time it is remembered
These are excerpts from generosity memories of four friends of mine.
By Kirsten Millet
I have been blessed in my life with a wonderful family, supportive friends and excellent teachers from kindergarten to college. How do I pick a single generous act from one of my parents, or my teachers? There were so many that did so much, as they all helped to shape my life ...
Scott and his wife, Cindy, are part of our lives now. They have welcomed with open arms Bay High School track and everything this new job has brought ..... Well beyond the coaching he has brought to our athletes, Scott has filled a place in my life that I didn't realize I needed. He did not have to do any of this for me...I believe Scott was placed in my life for a reason, asking nothing in return.
By Habib Hosseiny
After about 16 years of employment as a public school teacher of the English language in Iran, I decided to go to graduate school for a Master's degree... It was August 18, 1978, our son's 4th birthday, when we arrived in Brattleboro, Vermont...
Gradually the [Iranian] Revolution happened. Our relatives and friends advised us to try to stay because it was not safe to go back. Many of my Bahai'i friends were jailed or executed.... Then it was right before Christmas and New Year holidays that the bursar asked me to see her. She gave me a $1,000 check and said it was mine ... I will never forget the generosity of whoever gave that money to me and my family. My prayers are always with that person.
By Steve Cardamone
It was probably 1985 and the venue was the Rosemont Arena, presently Allstate Arena...My Mom and Dad decided to make a dream come true - the 12 year-old me was going to see my hero, Hulk Hogan, wrestle live....
I ordered three Cokes and some nachos ... I got the dull thud of "That's $12 dollars" ... I froze and looked down hoping that [my] $10 bill had mutiplied. No Mom or Dad. Before I could look at my hand again the man directly behind me reached over my right shoulder, threw down two bucks, and said "have a great time tonight!" ... He deserved to see the tears welling up in my eyes and feel my thank you, more for helping me save face than the $2.
By Pat Kahnert
The other day I was digging through some old files and found a letter that was sent to me when I was eight ... The note inside and an incredible attachment were the initial inspiration for my [communications] career, and a continuing inspiration in my life ...
I opened a brown envelope with a team photograph of the 1960-61 Montreal Canadiens, another Stanley Cup year! It was autographed in ballpoint pen by each of the players. My heart raced. There was assistant captain Dickie Moore in the front row, far left ...
Every time I pass it I smile and my eyes find my friend [Frank Selke, Jr], on the far right in the second row from the top. His autograph at the bottom of each of his letters to me is a lifetime treasure of mine.
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