Giving Back Can Be Loads Of Fun!

There are other ways to give back:

1. Send upbeat letters or packages (homemade cookies and beef jerky are sure hits)

to a deployed solder.

2. Help a national park by volunteering hours for various projects, including lecturing and leading tours.

3. Teach low-income parents how to cook nutritiously and economically.

4. Volunteer in schools to inspire students looking for career paths.

5. Join Peace Corps 50+.

Feel free to share your ideas with our readers!

Retirees Give Back

Now that many of us are retired, we have the chance to give back. That's what U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Richard D. Moody (Danvers, MA, VFW Troop 2359) and his wife Christine did.

When they heard from their deployed daughter that soldiers stationed overseas had to make-do without many personal items, they jumped right in to help by founding Operation Troop Support in 2003.

Before long they weren't alone. Volunteers from Boston's North Shore also wanted to show their gratitude to the young men and women in service. Together, they have sent hundreds of thousands of individually-wrapped care packages consisting of such items as toiletries, magazines, books, socks, phone cards, disposable cameras, pens, stationery and stamps each week.

As a grassroots non-profit organization, Operation Troop Support has expanded its services to families of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dick, Christine and their cadre of dedicated volunteers welcome and would be mightily grateful for any support in the form of donations of goods or money.

Now is your time to get involved.

Eulogizing a Shirt: Improving Your Life

When I first met him last week, he described himself as previously socially inept. Now I was listening to him speak both eloquently and humorously of his old friend.

Not many people can eulogize a former shirt as capably as Colin. I was figuratively present at several events marked (literally) on the fabric. I envisioned him sharing his favorite lobster bisque with the shirt. I imagined this English gentleman deftly sipping his wine but missing his mouth as he chatted with the pretty girl at his side. I could picture his wife as judge, jury, and executioner of his adored piece of nostalgia.

Seeing his comrade not only tossed away unceremoniously but also being driven away in a thrift shop van must have made him choke up some. I could feel his emptiness upon detecting the gross absence in his closet.

Colin may have had trouble communicating before. But certainly not now.

He enrolled in Toastmasters. And it wouldn't surprise me if he availed himself of adult education classes. Or participated in some volunteer organizations. But you can be certain that whatever he is doing, its side effect is promoting better health, and giving him confidence and better self-esteem which he was so eager to acquire not that long ago.

Bravo, Colin.