My friend Leigh, unemployed and broke, found a sealed envelope with $200 in it while cleaning his house. Since he hadn't found it before, he figured he really did not need it. He gave it to me (I was working) so I could buy a new CD player and have music in my life. I protested. He insisted.Now, every year at Christmas I give $200 to someone I know who could use it. Along with the money I give them a one-page story:
Leigh's Light
My friend Leigh is a very special man. Even though he has had more than his share of struggles and has rarely had enough money, he spends much of his time helping others to realize their dreams. He is a poet, a dreamer, a planner, a thinker and an all-round good-hearted person.
One day, cleaning out the basement in which he was living, he found a small bag of papers. Going through the papers, he found a blank white envelope. When he looked inside, he discovered it contained $200. This was a gold mine to Leigh because he had just gone through a really difficult year. But he had a very different thought. If he'd gone through the entire year without this money, then that was a sign he really didn't need it.
On New Year's Eve 1997 he told me this story and then slowly stood up and handed me the $200. I want you to have this, he said. Go buy yourself a cassette player (mine had broken) so you can listen to music again. I know how happy music makes you. I was speechless and shocked. I said I couldn't take the money, knowing what a rough year he had just gone through. But Leigh's generous heart had already made up his mind and that was that!
One evening while listening to music at home, I got the message. I understood that by passing this gift along, Leigh's Light would continue and would brighten someone else's day.
This year it's your turn. Enjoy!
6318 Reads
- Posted by Judy
- Aug 18, 2009
- Comments (9)
Readers Comments
Thaata wrote: I had seen a video in which a poor boy finds some money and dreams of what all he can do with that money. He witnesses a ball thrown by a little kid breaks drinking glasses in a shop nearby and the lady who owns the shop hands over the ball to the kid without scolding him and with gestures of love which makes this small boy to buy drinking glasses to the lady such nice ways of people who themselves are in real need but deeply feels for others which makes this world beautiful to live in. May leigh's story move us to contribute our share to this society.
Rocky wrote: Haha, shuodln't you be charging for that kind of knowledge? !
Angel1 wrote: I think Leigh's story is wonderful! I do little things all the time but one that will stick in my mind is.... An elderly lady had been mugged for her pension outside her local post office, (I heard this later when i went in for some stamps)I asked the postmaster for her name and address, he said he could not supply it because of data protection etc, i told him i intended to restore her faith in human nature and after looking at me for a while, he agreed and trusted me with her details.
I asked how much had been taken from her and i doubled the amount, wrote her a nice card and explained that she should not be afraid as there are only a few bad people and many, many good ones. I did not include my name and address but put from a lady wellwisher, popped it through her letterbox and left.
Later that week in the paper, i read an article about a good samaritan who had left this lady a card, flowers and a financial gift.
It made me feel great to know the lady felt cared for and that she knew there are good people in the world and i was glad she went to the paper as the story may have cheered many more people.
I never came forward or gave my name but that is the joy of truly giving, not having reward or praise, just the satisfaction of knowing you could help.
I couldn't pay my mortgage that month as i had given my money away but i managed to get mortgage company to tag the missed payment onto the end of my term. :)
I asked how much had been taken from her and i doubled the amount, wrote her a nice card and explained that she should not be afraid as there are only a few bad people and many, many good ones. I did not include my name and address but put from a lady wellwisher, popped it through her letterbox and left.
Later that week in the paper, i read an article about a good samaritan who had left this lady a card, flowers and a financial gift.
It made me feel great to know the lady felt cared for and that she knew there are good people in the world and i was glad she went to the paper as the story may have cheered many more people.
I never came forward or gave my name but that is the joy of truly giving, not having reward or praise, just the satisfaction of knowing you could help.
I couldn't pay my mortgage that month as i had given my money away but i managed to get mortgage company to tag the missed payment onto the end of my term. :)
upwiththesun wrote: It is amazing that when we give all we have we still manage to have enough! I needed this reminder today. Thank you for sharing your story.It was a blessing.
mjg1595 wrote: To Angel1: Your story struck a chord that hasn't been struck in awhile. As a family (I raised 5 children), we used to find a family that wouldn't have much Christmas and personally choose gifts for each member, wrap them, and leave them anonymously on Christmas eve. I remember how wonderful it felt. After they all grew up, I lost touch with the tradition -- silly me! You have inspired me, once again, to watch for opportunities to bless people's lives in unexpected ways. Thank you, my dear. (I've never posted comments before to anything and I seldom read comments -- your post was meant for me)
Judy wrote: In response to Jesse's request......
Leigh’s Light
My friend Leigh is a very special man. Even though he has had more than his share of struggles and has rarely had enough money, he spends much of his time helping others to realize their dreams. He is a poet, a dreamer, a planner, a thinker and an all-round good-hearted person.
One day, cleaning out the basement in which he was living, he found a small bag of papers. Going through the papers, he found a blank white envelope. When he looked inside, he discovered it contained $200. This was a goldmine to Leigh because he had just gone through a really difficult year. But he had a very different thought. If he’d gone through the entire year without this money, then that was a sign he really didn’t need it.
On New Year’s Eve 1997 he told me this story and then slowly stood up and handed me the $200. “I want you to have this,” he said. “Go buy yourself a cassette player (mine had broken) so you can listen to music again. I know how happy music makes you.” I was speechless and shocked. I said I couldn’t take the money, knowing what a rough year he had just gone through. But Leigh’s generous heart had already made up his mind – and that was that!
One evening while listening to music at home, I got the message. I understood that by passing this gift along, Leigh’s Light would continue and would brighten someone else’s day. This year it’s your turn. Enjoy!
Judy
Leigh’s Light
My friend Leigh is a very special man. Even though he has had more than his share of struggles and has rarely had enough money, he spends much of his time helping others to realize their dreams. He is a poet, a dreamer, a planner, a thinker and an all-round good-hearted person.
One day, cleaning out the basement in which he was living, he found a small bag of papers. Going through the papers, he found a blank white envelope. When he looked inside, he discovered it contained $200. This was a goldmine to Leigh because he had just gone through a really difficult year. But he had a very different thought. If he’d gone through the entire year without this money, then that was a sign he really didn’t need it.
On New Year’s Eve 1997 he told me this story and then slowly stood up and handed me the $200. “I want you to have this,” he said. “Go buy yourself a cassette player (mine had broken) so you can listen to music again. I know how happy music makes you.” I was speechless and shocked. I said I couldn’t take the money, knowing what a rough year he had just gone through. But Leigh’s generous heart had already made up his mind – and that was that!
One evening while listening to music at home, I got the message. I understood that by passing this gift along, Leigh’s Light would continue and would brighten someone else’s day. This year it’s your turn. Enjoy!
Judy
Weronika wrote: That was so great of him to do so. you have great friends. god bless!
Jesse wrote: What a great story, Judy. Could you post the one-page story of Leigh's gift also? I would love to continue Leigh's gift with my own family and friends.
Shu Patrick wrote: Such gestures appear to be very rare in the society in which I find myself.That's unfortunate,not so? The reverse situation will take place in a great deal of societies, mine inclusive for even the rich with a surplus of wealth will always claim to need more.
