Last week my granddaughter called to show me her first lost tooth. After I had admired the cavity in her mouth, we had a little discussion about the afghan I’m crocheting for her. “You should make one for my mother,” Zoe said. “She likes pretty things, too.” That’s not the first time I’ve heard Zoe wanting to share good things with the people in her life. In fact, generosity seems to come easily to her.
Our chat continued and I asked how she had done at her garage sale the previous weekend. “I made $39,” she said and proceeded to tell me how she’d spent it. Moments later, I learned that she had actually earned about twice that amount, but was using the rest of her proceeds for Christmas gifts. She’d also considered donating a portion to Heifer, a favorite organization of Zoe’s mother and grandmother.
Acts of generosity seem to inspire other such actions. A few years ago, my friend Maura announced, “I’m declaring this the Year of the Goat.” I thought she was talking about the Chinese year, but she explained that her goal was to send a goat every month through Heifer International. I loved the idea and thought I might follow suit.
A few weeks later, I received World Ark, the publication of Heifer, and read a letter to the editor that was as inspiring as anything I’ve ever seen. It made me see that I was thinking too small. See what you think.
Dear Heifer,
As you know, my name is Tessa Shiaer and I am from Augusta, Georgia. However, you may not know that I am 13 years old and I have just had my Bat Mitzvah. As a B’nai Mitzvah, it is my duty to perform a mitzvah, or good deed, to show my coming of age.
I decided that my mitzvah project would be to donate a portion of my Bat Mitzvah money to Heifer. Then, after my Bat Mitzvah, I decided that I really wanted to give all of my Bat Mitzvah money to you, Heifer.
Now, I present to you the following: two water buffalo, two llamas, two goats, two sheep, two pigs, one trio of rabbits, three flocks of chicks, three flocks of ducks, three flocks of geese, two sets of honeybees, two sets of tree and of course last, but definitely not least, two heifers.
In all that is $3,000 that I got for my Bat Mitzvah and am now giving to you in a more wonderful form than checks or paper money. I am giving it to you in the form of life.
What’s your mitzvah?
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