It truly 'tis' better

Last week, I was making my annual Christmas gift list. The foremost names on that list were for my grandchildren. Like most people, I find great enjoyment and pleasure, in this giving process. Last week, I discovered a different gift I could give to them, that of including them in learning of charity and caring for others.

This past Thursday, I attended the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Oakland Raiders NFL Football game. For many years, I have had the pleasure of tailgating with a group of people who have become my "Chiefs Family."

In my senior years, I have only a few basic interests and pursuits. Grandchildren, golf, local school team sports, and my Chiefs Family, pretty much comprise the majority of pursuits. Last Thursday, I realized there is a giving thought that I could share with everyone. This idea should encourage people of every age, what the giving sprit of the holidays should mean.

One of the perks of being a KC Chiefs season ticket holder, is that your earn "Kingdom Rewards Points." These points can be used for a variety of purchases and opportunities. I have accumulated a hefty balance and before each game I redeem some of these points by reserving a table behind my stadium seats. This allows me to avoid prolonged exposure to adverse weather; such as the mid-teens temperature we experienced at last Thursday's game.

Several of my Chief's seatmates and I, were enjoying the early portions of the first half of the game, when a man in a wheel chair arrived in our area. He was accompanied by two young women and a young man.

It was immediately obvious to us, that the man in the chair was weak and in some health distress. One of the women asked us if it was OK for them to push him inside of our table near the glass.

The two ladies introduced themselves as caregivers in hospice service. They told us that the man in the wheel chair (Jerry McGuirk) had only a matter of weeks to live due to advanced liver cancer.

They also told us that he had been a life long Chiefs fan for more than 50 years, and that when asked if there was anything he would like to have fulfilled on his "bucket list" he expressed his desire to attend his first ever Chiefs game.

I have been a life long Chiefs fan. I remember when they first moved here back in 1963. I felt an immediate kinship with Jerry. Chiefs fans are loyal to a fault. We have not been to a Super Bowl in nearly five decades. It doesn't matter to fans like Jerry and myself.

Here was a man who was staring at the most dire future anyone can ever have to face. He could ask for a lot of things, but he chose a Chief's game -- "nuff said!"

Everyone in our area tried to do whatever we could to make Jerry and his caregivers feel at home. Over the next couple of hours, I was amazed to see the actual care these young women gave to Jerry.

If I ever find myself in such a health condition I can only hope to be comforted by such wonderful women as these. I visited with them about their work. I discovered that they treated their caregiving as much more than just a job.

It was easy to see that these young women were doing what they loved and found rewarding. They displayed no maudlin emotions in their care for Jerry. It was as if they were his own family, doing everything they could to see that the time he had left was filled with love and care.

The girls told me that the evening was made possible through the actions of many people. Tickets, blankets, and other donations, were given to insure that Jerry's evening was special.

They also told me that Channel 41 in Kansas City was doing a special report on Jerry's Chiefs wish. I later downloaded the newscast, and you can also find it on their website.

During the second half of the game, KC Wolf, the Chiefs' team mascot, made an appearance. I have included a picture of that meeting.

For the next few hours and days, I just couldn't get this story out of my mind. There was something that was nagging me about it.

Then it hit me. This "bucket list" story represented an idea and a plan, that I felt a need to share with others. In our culture, there is a well-known saying, "tis better to give than to receive."

As Christmas approaches, we all have plans for celebrating with family and friends. I will as always try to spoil my grandchildren and enjoy the magic that Santa and Christmas brings to them.

Jerry's story gave me another idea of how I could show them what Christmas really should mean. Everyone who was a part of Jerry's Chiefs' wish, came away feeling fulfilled. It just made you feel good to be included in such a heart-warming event.

That should be a lesson to all of us and one we could teach our youngsters. This season, take a few minutes to include your children and grandchildren in some type of charitable activity.

Let them discover the pure joy of giving. There is no gift they can receive from you that will mean more to them and it will become a lifelong gift. As years go by they will pass along to their kids the knowledge that the very act of giving results in a personal benefit that is the most rewarding they will ever know.

One of my all time favorite musical groups was Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. They perhaps said it best in the lyric -- "Teach your children well."

If you want to really know the joy of Christmas teach your children the joy of giving this season.