What Help Looks like
What Sparked the Inspiration for this Blog Post?
Apparently out of nowhere, this rectangular item from the “olden days” appeared in one of my bedroom dresser drawers. It has probably been there for a long time, but I haven’t noticed it . . . until now.
It’s a flashcard. Probably from the 1960s, maybe earlier. (Flashcards with quaint drawings were used to help early readers recognize words on sight.)
The image of the big sister with pigtails helping her little brother learn to walk ignited another picture in my mind, one from Aunt Ruthie Longenecker’s archives of old 16-millimeter home movies.
YouTube – Sisters, Grandma, and Flowers, Ruth M. Longenecker archives
This video clip shows me with my sisters and our Grandma Longenecker, displaying her glorious gloxinia flowers. It also illustrates my “helping” my youngest sister to pose for the camera, by slyly pushing her to stay seated as I try to hold my gaze for the camera. At you can tell, I fit the profile of the helpful older sister.
Photo of sisters and of me holding brother Mark. In this snapshot from a video, my pigtails have become braids wound around my head, wearing a large prayer covering in my early teens. The large cap covered my thick hair.
In this excerpt from my memoir Mennonite Daughter, I have met Cliff, who would become my husband, and we are comparing notes about our families as we begin to get acquainted.
“I have a brother Larry and two sisters, Joyce and Kathy. I call Kathy Sissy-bones
because she is tiny and smart and nine years younger than I. I taught her to walk, and
then her ABC’s and numbers.”
“Just like my brother Mark,” I mentioned, whom I thought of as my first baby,
born when I was twelve. I most certainly bottle fed him, changed his diapers, and cheered
him on in his first wobbly steps.” Just like on the flashcard.
From Chapter 39 Flying the Coop, Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl
***
Fred Rogers and the News
News of late has been dire. It seems designed to make us feel fearful or angry. For weeks, months, years now we have beheld catastrophes and unsettling political and sociological news along with updates about the state of our planet. As I write these words, I read that cocaine use is surging again in America and that hurricane Imelda may be poised to hit Florida! All those news items sound terrible, grievous to hear. It makes me feel bad, but I have limited mental or emotional bandwidth to address huge problems beyond my control.
Tom Hanks playing Fred Rogers on the re-created set of “It’s Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Fred Rogers of “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” TV fame has an insight about the dilemma of hearing bad news and then deciding how to respond to it. As he tries to console those who view newscasts and sound-bytes from the media with horror, he says, “If you look for the helpers, you’ll know that there’s hope.”
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” NIV
Can you identify with the idea of helping in your birth family? Your family now?
Do you pay attention to the news? In what way?
How does knowing about current events affect you?
Bonus, boy helping woman with her shoe (Click on link in bold)
Good morning, Marian! You know I’m very fond of Mr. Rogers and his idea of looking for the helpers. 😊
I know as the oldest child, you were definitely a big help to your parents and your siblings. I suppose I helped my younger sister when we were little, but we’re less than 2 years apart. My siblings and I helped my mother a lot in her final years.
As for the news–I never watch TV news, which always seems to be so in your face with everything being an emergency. It can all be overwhelming, and that’s when it’s time to exercise or read a novel. I think the feeling of being overwhelmed and powerless is what some want people to feel. I try to do what I can–write, speak out, donate, etc.
Good morning! I love these reminders. I had to study the photo of Fred Rogers — oh that was Tom Hanks! I knew something was wrong with the face …. ! I had never seen Tom Hanks playing Mr. Rogers. But I do remember our daughters loving to watch Mr. Rogers.
Yes, and thanks for the reminder to look for the helpers. Thank you.
Hope is a gift! Thank you, Marian!