It was the final minutes of the basketball game. My fourth grade recreational team was trailing by a few points. The game went back and forth until the last second where the opposing team nailed a layup and clenched the victory. I was beside myself with the result of the game. Losing was not an act I took lightly. I pouted my way to the back of the line of my teammates who were waiting to shake hands with the opposing team. I grabbed the attention of some of the girls on my team to watch me spit on my hand right before I was going to shake the hands of the other team’s players. Just as I was through the line, I felt my parents yanking my arm. They demanded that I rush to the car.
My parents scolded me the whole drive home. They told me they were ashamed of my actions and went on to say that this was not the person they raised me to be. I was severely punished for my actions. I was not allowed to play in my next basketball game which just so happened to be a playoff game. However, rather than just allowing me to skip the game, my parents made me watch the whole game from the bench.
My parents recognized an issue, and they addressed it. They did this because they raised their children to be compassionate human beings, and spitting on my hand was the furthest thing from compassionate. At the time of the punishment, I was mortified to watch the game from the bench all because I didn’t want to be seen as a bench warmer. Now, looking back on the situation, I am mortified with my unsportsmanlike conduct.
Evident in the last two paragraphs, I was not always a compassionate individual, and I didn’t always hold the value of compassion as close to my heart as I do today. I credit my parents for transforming me from an over competitive young girl to a compassionate young lady. I believe my parents’ persistence in demanding kindness is what converted my values.
From a young age, manners were always encouraged, if not demanded, in my household. My parents taught me to never underestimate the power of a please and a thank you. Whether the politeness was directed toward the woman serving lunch at my school or to my big brother, politeness demonstrated compassion. My parents taught me to hold the door for the next one in line. My parents taught me to ask people how their day is going rather than pass by in silence. My parents taught me to listen more than speak. They taught me that honesty is always the best policy. They taught me the value of being not just a friend, but a good one. And last, but certainly not least, my parents taught me the importance of donating your time, money and effort to those in need. My parents were able to serve as role models to me throughout my childhood. I continue to look to my parents as role models. Their unbridled love, generosity, and most certainly, compassion, exceed my expectations every day.
My parents not only taught me by instruction, but they also taught me by demonstration. They, indeed, practice what they preach. My father is a State Representative, so he has to answer to a large crowd of people. He has demonstrated compassion time and time again by caring for the citizens he serves. For example, on a Sunday morning, he will attend up to four masses simply because he wants to share a spiritual experience with the people in our community. On Saturday’s, he will make his way around to 4 or 5 meetings, a pancake breakfast at the nursing home, a fundraiser at the fire hall, and a spaghetti dinner at the local school district. He does this not for votes, but because he genuinely cares about the development of our town and the people in it.
Additionally, my mother often works 12 hour days. Along with completing her job, she is notorious for lending a helping hand to coworkers. My mom is always willing to go the extra mile to see the people she cares about satisfied. On top of all of that, she will come home and do the laundry, cook dinner and clean right after, all without complaining. And, On top of that, she often stays up to help me or my siblings with school work, FASFA, bills, etc. And if that isn’t enough, she regularly goes to her help her brother who has spina bifida and has been in a wheel chair since birth. Again, she does not do these things in anticipation of any reward, she does these things, and so many other things, because her heart overflows with compassion.
As I move forward in my life, wherever the wind may take me, find me with compassion. Find me with the compassion that my parents have worked so hard to instill in me for past 20 years. I will carry this compassion with me into all aspects of my life because I have seen firsthand the power that this value holds.