Month: January 2025

When I was little, my Aunt Winnie would visit from out of state, and I was fascinated with her purse. I must have asked what she kept in there because whenever she came, she would let me look through it. I don’t remember specifics of what I found, but I do remember telling her she should go on “Let’s Make a Deal” because whatever Monty Hall might ask for, she would have in her big bag.

I have a fully stuffed purse myself now, and I’m not sure I even know what all is in there. I was waiting for Mass to start one Sunday when I overheard a lady behind me tell her friend that she must have scraped her arm on a tree branch because it was bleeding. Neither of them had purses. “Hmm, I thought. I probably have something she could use.”  So, I started to dig and found multiple sizes of Bandaids and some alcohol wipes. I handed them back to her.

Months later I was at church when the woman recognized me. “You’re the one who saved me the day I cut my arm,” she said, “Your purse is perfect!” It was then that I realized I am my generation’s Aunt Winnie. I don’t plan to go on today’s version of “Let’s Make a Deal,” but if I did, I just might win some money.

I fell and twisted my ankle two days before hosting Christmas dinner. I was able to do most of what needed to be done, but I found myself asking, “Would you mind?” about several things I would normally do myself. At one point, my son jokingly asked, “What if I do mind?” I smiled and told him I would ask him to do it anyway.

To me, one of the best ways to show our love for someone is to help them even when we don’t want to. More importantly, we should do it without complaint or resentment.

Whenever we go out of our way for another, we show that we care for that person. So, the next time someone asks if you mind doing something, you have the freedom to refuse to do what they ask. You are not required to put yourself at risk or extreme discomfort. However, if you want to show your love, do it whether you mind or not.