It matters not what we give - a smile, a hand shake, or a prayer

HELLO MI neighbour! Give any 99-year-old Jamaican US$1 billion to meet his basic needs for the rest of his earthly life, and bet your bottom dollar, he will not live long enough to spend it all. Give a 19-year-old US$1,000 and the outcome could be the same - might not live long enough to spend it all. The elderly know that their departure is imminent, while the young seldom stop to consider that theirs could be any moment. Within 60 seconds after Andrae got the $500 to purchase food across the road, he was no more. A speeding motorist who disobeyed the traffic light did the cruel act. Motorists, WHA 'RANG WID UNNU!

As we make decisions and interact with others daily, it's imperative that we bear in mind life's uncertainties and be willing to share our blessings with others. This excerpt from the Book of Wisdom is very instructive. He told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with whoever stores up things (only) for themselves ..."

The book also admonishes those who worry: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin... If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you! ... give to the poor ... ." Well said!

As we go through life, it is important to note that hoarding hardens and robs the heart of its joys, while giving (from a pure heart) not only nourishes the soul, but enriches the lives of others. It matters not what we give - a smile, a handshake, a courtesy call, food, clothing, a prayer, etc.

And here, I remember Mr Fong, the good neighbour. The many gifts which he gave through this forum continue to be a rich source of satisfaction and comfort to recipients. I am confident that his soul is constantly being enriched! Sir, the bed which you took from Kingston to the mountains of Clarendon some time ago continues to be a source of comfort to that little family!

THANKS FOR HELPING

1. Singer Jamaica Limited for donation of bags, books, and pencils for children.

2. Miss Currie, St Catherine, for offering a television and a walker to a neighbour.

3. Everybody's Pharmacy for acts of neighbourliness.

4. Sister Campbell for a donation of clothing for adults and children.

5. Ucena, St Andrew, for offer of shoes and clothing.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

- Elaine, St Ann, asking for a stove and clothing for a 15-year-old boy.

-Neighbour got injured by gunshot and unable to work. Asking for assistance with child's schooling.

- Miss Kellia, unemployed. Asking for food for children.

-Neighbour, St Thomas, husband is unable to work, asking for financial assistance to start chicken rearing.

- To help, please call Silton Townsend at 334-8165, 884-3866, 299-3412, deposit to acct # 351 044 276 NCB. (Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX) or send donations to Hello Neighbour c/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10 E-mail helloneighbour@yahoo.com.