Give A Little, Get A Lot Back

My mom started a paper route in 1977 when she was 50. She would get up every morning between 3 and 4 to deliver papers to 80 to 100 people she didn’t know at the time.

At times, she would become discouraged because of cold temperatures or knee-deep snow. But for 18 years, she would walk her route through rain, sleet, snow, you name it, and she always got the papers on the doorsteps by 6 a.m.

Sometimes, she would be harassed by people who had been partying and were drunk and still out on the streets during those early hours. Then my brothers or friends and I would go with her for a day or two until things cooled down.

I saw a lot of changes in my mother after several years of providing this service. It gave her something to strive for; it gave her some purpose.

I especially remember the good she would do for the people on her route. It got to the point where they were not only her friends but also her life. She would make cookies or potato salad and deliver the food on her route. On holidays, the people on her route would give her money or bring over food because they knew she needed some help.

One year, on an evening shortly before Christmas, a van pulled up just about dinner time. Four to six people from her route climbed out and started bringing boxes and sacks of groceries into the house. By the time they were done, they had filled her kitchen.

We were overwhelmed by it all - we couldn’t believe it. We must have eaten well for two or three weeks.

She had done so much for others without expecting anything in return, but if you give a little, you’re going to get a lot back.

My mom is one of those rare people who would do anything for her friends and neighbors, even when she has nothing to give. She always is there if you need somebody to talk to.

She is almost 70 now. A week or two before last Christmas, she gave up the paper route. Now she has more time to relax and she seems healthier.

She has given me inspiration through her commitment and devotion. I have learned many valuable lessons from this very loving and caring woman. For example, I’ve learned just from watching her that there is nothing that can’t be achieved if you set your mind to it.

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.