Service Leads to Happiness

My dad has always been the best example of service to me. I remember waking up on Saturday mornings to find that he had already helped the new neighbors move and was working on a batch of cookies to bring to them later. He's always been willing to help with anyone, anywhere.

I could give many stories of how I have seen him serve in the church, in the family, and in the community. But the story I want to focus on today is how others have served my family.

Almost ten years ago (it will have been exactly ten years in ten days from now), my little sister passed away. I wrote about it here and hinted at the service we received when I also wrote about it here.

We left the hospital and I don't even remember much of what was said until we reached the house. This may sound crazy, but I remember pulling into the driveway and feeling different. I was only eleven, but I knew that life wouldn't be the same. It didn't feel right to go inside. It would be empty. She wouldn't be running around, filling the entire house with her infectious laughter. She was gone. And I didn't want to deal with that.

However, my parents had something else on their mind. They knew we would be having people come over and they knew the house was a mess. With six kids who had all been sick, of course it wasn't going to be clean.

We pulled up and my parents started to make plan. They gave us each a job and explained how we needed to make sure the house was presentable even though it wasn't what we wanted to be doing. We agreed to help, knowing that people really would be showing up soon - word spreads quickly in a small town.

We climbed out of the car and headed into the house. I remember walking in the door and being amazed at how clean it was. The counter was already covered in flowers and dishes full of food. The house smelled amazing and I realized I was hungry. As I moved into the kitchen I realized what the smell was coming from - there was a ham cooking in the oven.

It wasn't just the kitchen that was clean. I walked back to my room and found that everything had  been put away. The only room that hadn't been touched was Gracie's. We left it that way for a while.

My parents were right; people did come. They didn't stop coming for what felt like forever. We all sat in the front room as face after nameless face walked in, offering a plate of food or flowers or simple words of "I'm so sorry for your loss!" I hated it at the time. I wanted nothing more than to go somewhere faraway and take my family with me.

My parents finally allowed us to leave, realizing it had been enough for us to sit through so many people talking. To this day I'm still amazed at how my parents handled the situation. I know I wouldn't have been so grateful and welcoming had I been in their place.

Throughout the rest of that first night, when people came over, we were called back to the front room. A previous teacher would be visiting, or someone wanted to see us. The last time we were called to come back out that night was one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. We walked out onto the front porch and saw that the entire front yard was full of people. Most of the people I had never even seen before. But they were there, willing to support a family in the community who needed help. I'm not sure how everyone had heard or what made them decide to come, but I'll never forget it.

As soon as we were all out on the porch someone started to sing Families Can be Together Forever. To this day, I can't sing that song or even hear it without tearing up.

I said before that I hated how everyone kept coming over. But it didn't last forever. Eventually we were left with a freezer full of precooked meals, a counter full of flowers, and time to spend with just the family. I look back on it now and realize how much of a blessing it was to have so many people come over. I regret that I wasn't so grateful for the experience as I was living it.

But the point is, people are generally good and want to help. When you accept that service or give that service, it brings happiness. And doesn't everyone want to be happy? So get out there and SERVE! :)

Family is Everything

I've written posts about my wonderful family before.  This isn't something new. I really love my family and I enjoy talking to them and talking about them.

One thing I've always worried about is letting people meet my family. Not that my family isn't great, but that they are too great. Meeting the entire Goodworth family all at once can be a little overwhelming. Just ask Chelsea. After only knowing her for a few months, I took her to a Goodworth family party. She got to meet a lot of crazy people in just a short amount of time.

In one of my classes this semester I get to write a family history paper. I thought it would be a perfect chance to talk to my grandma about it all get some awesome stories. So yesterday, I kidnapped Roz and we took a drive up to my grandparent's house.

I lucked out. Not only was my grandma there to tell me stories, but her mom and two sisters were there, too. It was a great chance to hear about where I come from.

I really wanted to hear about my grandma Sorine Christine, mainly because I'm named after her and I really don't know that much about her. I was able to hear stories from my grandma and her two sisters and some input from my great-grandma, who was the daughter-in-law of Sorine Christine. I left with a few files full of pictures and, believe it or not, a CD recording of Sorine Christine talking about her life. I am so stinkin excited to listen to this! :) She was quite an amazing woman and I can't wait to find out more.

Basically, I love my family! They are the most welcoming, loving people I have ever met. They can be a lot to take in, but it is worth it. Example: as soon as I walked in the door, I had four kids hanging off of me. But I know it is because they love me.

Remember the ten-year-old cousin I mentioned here? She is one of the kids who was hanging off me all day. She played 20 questions with me to find out what guy I'm interested in now. Let's just say, its a good thing she lives two hours away and her voice doesn't carry over to Logan. ;)

I could go on and on with stories about the few hours I spent with some of the family. Suffice it to say, they are some of my favorite people in the world. I am so thankful I am a Goodworth. :)