Yesterday was my Grandson Thomas’ first birthday, and today about 80 relatives and a few of his parents’ friends gathered to celebrate in a large park not far from my home. The weather was perfect; agreeably warm with a slightly cool refreshing breeze.
I’m so proud of Thomas that I risk busting a button just thinking about him.
He was given a small cake all for himself, and ripped into it with both hands, quickly smashing and kneading it while stuffing great big gooey gobs of it into his mouth with the excitement of a person who is dying of thirst as they take great gulps from a cool pool of water at an oasis.
Thomas then proceeded to “share” with his mom and each of his grandmothers by extending those same sticky, messy, gooey, slimy, hands toward each of them until they came over and took a bite from them. (The two wily grandfathers and the father, seeing what was about to happen to our spouses, beat a hasty retreat and were out of sight (and thankfully out of mind) during that critical episode–though he couldn’t see us, we could see what he was doing to them. It was a LOT of fun to watch!
It was a beautiful day filled with many blessings, and ended with a sight that made me especially proud and happy. While the remaining party-goers began cleaning up after the party, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that our oldest son and his wonderful wife had slipped away with a large pizza box filled with pizza without saying a word to anyone.
They walked over to a homeless man who was sitting quietly and motionless on a park bench across a path from us and perhaps 50 feet away. He had his back to us and clearly did not wish to intrude on our festivities or perhaps even be seen by us. A few words were exchanged, and they handed the box to him and quietly returned to our busy cleanup crew. When they returned, no words were spoken about what had just happened, and I doubt if anyone else had even seen what they had done. But their kind action made a proud dad and grandfather even prouder today.
Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
That is wonderful, you have every right to be proud!
Thank you, HH! It is so good to hear from you! I appreciate your kind comment. Please know that you are always welcome here.
Russ
Thank you, Russ. I will pop in more often 🙂
Sounds like the things memories are made of…the 1st birthday and the ‘pizza’!…Diane
Yes indeed, my friend. Wonderful memories and enormous gratitude.
Russ
A perfect day (though you really should have let Thomas give you a taste of his cake, kneaded to perfection by his crumb-filled hands!)
LOL! We’ve all had other opportunities to accept such acts of generosity from him. I prefer to do so when 80 or 100 people aren’t watching and wondering whether both of my nostrils will end up clogged with his gift or my hair will be given a cake shampoo sans water to rinse it afterward!
Russ
Clearly the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, Russ. Lovely story…
Thank you for your kind comment Lori.
Russ
Your blessings seem to be blessings to others as well. What a wonderful day for many.
Thank you for your insight. I’ve not thought of it that way before. I’m glad that is so. May it be evermore so in the future.
Russ
Amen RussTowne!
That is so lovely and you have all the reason to be proud of your children and grandchildren. You raised them well and it shows, so you cna be proud of yourself and your wife too!
Thank you, Ute. I’m blessed with children who make good decisions, and kind ones too, and that makes me very grateful indeed.
Russ
ahh-h what a great story! My daughter at age 7 or 8 once bought a homeless person a burger with her allowance! I was gushing with gratitude and pride to see her beautiful gentle-spirited gesture. Wishing your grandson a Happy Birthday and many, many more!
xo
Diana
Thank you for your kind comment, and especially for sharing your great story. I often feel the most connected and the most pure joy when I experience such humble kindness. It doesn’t matter whether I am merely a witness to the act, a giver, or the recipient, the wonderful feelings of connectedness and joy are always there. Thank you for brightening my morning with your story, Diana.
Russ
Thank you for reminding me of my story through yours Russ!
Love kindness in action stories like that. Great family you have! Happy B-day to Thomas! 🙂
Thank you, Kristi. I don’t know why, after all our wonderful communications, that the site just required that I approve your comment. Please know that I trust your comments and didn’t request that they be monitored.
Russ
Oh I know Russ, don’t worry about it. I’m actually quite sure it has something to do with that I changed my commenting name from mindfuldiary to Kristi. 😀
Thank you, Kristi. Ahh, that explains it. The good news is that the “new” commenting name only needed to be approved once. Already your most recent follow-on comment came through without approval being needed.
Russ
Why do we have such big parties for 1yr olds when they don’t remember any of it……………he does look like he was enjoying the cake
I believe it is a tradition that dates back to a time when many infants didn’t live to see their first birthday. It was (and is) a celebration that a child has survived their first year. It’s also a lot of fun getting together with loved ones to celebrate life, love, abundance, and each other. The infant may not remember the event, but many attendees will.
Russ
Dear Russ,
Your legacy of kindness has been passed on to your children and to your children’s children. I cannot tell you how full my heart felt when I read this post. To know that there are eyes and are always on the look out to search out the weak and poor among us, hands ever ready to help someone up. And the quiet grace behind it all. You have every reason to be proud. And this is how we raise up a new race of men and women and babies with gooey, sticky hands and face full of birthday cake! Thank you…for so much. Sharon
My eyes grew moist as I read your kind comments, dear friend. Though you may be physically half a world away, your presence is often felt right here in my heart, and I am indeed a grateful man for all the ways that you make my life brighter. Thank you!
Russ