Guest post by Sam Waas, author of Blood Storm
As I find myself growing older, many friends gone, family grown and dispersed or gone, I reflect on how I can best share what I’ve learned and gained, how I may still provide to others.
Part of this is an evolution of my personal self, a sense of things I’ve experienced, some disturbing and sad, some enlightening and inspirational. I’m often asked by friends how I keep my spirits up. I’ve survived a serious heart attack and open heart bypass and I’m now fighting severe disability which tries to drain my energy each and every day. But I tell my friends, “I’m lucky. I really am lucky.”
I only have to consider our Wounded Warriors, or think of our brave first responders like the police and firefighters, and realize how many of them pay the ultimate price for their service to us all, how may are now injured and maimed and yet they fight the good fight. How then could I ever feel that I’m not fortunate? My physical mobility may be limited but my mind is still free. I can read what I wish, learn as I choose, have the great benefit of the internet and enough wherewithal to live in modest comfort and security. And although I’m physically restrained, my spirit is brimming with vitality and verve, and I’m able to write my novels and other works, essays and short stories, to market them in a free society and enjoy the admittedly small returns. But returns they are, nevertheless. And this is how it should be for all.
And so I know that because I am so fortunate, have been given the great gift of freedom from the country in which I live, and having been given the great gift of love from God and from those closest to me, I must continue to share that good fortune as much as I am able.
Therefore I try my best to donate as much of my material goods as I am able to charitable enterprises so that others may share my benefits. Through my church and other generous organizations, my money is spent toward helping those less fortunate. Were I able to work myself in these things, as I once did, I’d gladly do so. But that’s no longer possible and so I have to resort to giving funds. But these do help and they go toward the upgrading of those in poverty and in need.
I also follow my father’s habit. He’d be driving along the street and if he spotted some poor homeless person huddled on the sidewalk, he’d stop his car, get out, and hand them some cash. And my dad didn’t have a lot of money, either. But his heart was full of love, and the lessons he taught me were so formative in how I view the world. He would often tell me, “Son, we have nothing but what God gives us. And so we have to share it with others because it’s not really ours to keep.”
I know that my meager gifts aren’t much in the huge order of things in this world. That there is widespread hunger, disease, depravity, and the terrible crush of ruthless evil people who continue to oppress the weak and helpless. I can only chip away at this, little gifts, one at a time. That’s all I can do.
But I also try to persuade others, my friends and colleagues, to give of themselves as well. Because each small gift builds upon others and forms a great power for good. And working together, we will prevail. We will defeat those evil forces, both human and from nature.
Together, we shall win.
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Books by Sam Waas
Blood Storm ~ View on Bookshelves | View on Amazon
Blood Spiral ~ View on Bookshelves | View on Amazon