Cheeky Does Charity

I still call my cousin Jay Daniel or Jay Bird, and he calls me Feffer. We both call his younger sister Boo. He is a year older than me, and she is a year younger. A Three Musketeers, of sorts.

The three of us grew up seeing one another a few times a year and often spent a week together during the summers at our grandparent’s house. After almost three decades, Boo is now referred to as Ms. Hanson by her students at the high school where she teaches in Virginia. Jay Bird no longer answers to the nickname and no longer is called by his first and middle name. He is now Captain Jay Hanson, serving in the United States Marines.

It has become a new family tradition to see who can send him a box (usually filled with Double Stuffed Oreos) and have it arrive as close to the intended date as possible.  As well, we like to see who can write the funniest cards or the wittiest emails to see what kind of response we get from him (when he’s able to check, of course).

In Jay’s last email home, he mentioned to us that he and the Marine he is rooming with were overwhelmed and so happy to have had the chance to open so many packages and cards together from their families and friends throughout the holidays. He also said that although he was thankful for all of the Double Stuffs, he was up to his ears in Oreos. He went on saying that a number of his shipmates do not get mail or care packages and that if we are able to send more, some of the other Marines tend to like cookies, energy drinks, and words of encouragement. With that, I popped a box in the mail today destined for my cousin, with the intention of making one or more of his shipmates’ days a little brighter.

Up until three years ago I didn’t know anyone serving in the armed forces. My grandfather had served in World War II; however, I hadn’t known any of my peers to be in the military. Meanwhile, in the last three years, I have lost a friend who was fighting in Iraq, I have watched one of my closest friends send both of her brothers on multiple deployments as Marines, and now one of my family members is overseas for their first deployment. About a month ago, I found myself at a bar standing next to a person who I overheard saying that they had just returned a week prior from their second deployment. I asked the bartender to place their drink on my bill. The gentleman thanked me and asked why I had done so. I explained to him that I hope when my cousin returns, a stranger will take the courtesy to thank him in a similar fashion.

I am by no means saying to buy every soldier you see a drink (although I am sure they would appreciate it). What I am saying is to take the time to offer a hug, a thank you, a friendly gesture to those who serve, and to those who served our country. Be it sending a card to someone you know who’s deployed – plus an extra card for one of their comrades – or by offering a thank you or a warm smile to passersby in uniform; all gestures of gratitude go a long way. Cheekily being charitable is about finding time to invest a little thought into how easy it can be to positively affect the world around us, encouraging others to do the same by setting the example.