I am a curious person by nature, especially when it comes to wanting to know what is on people’s minds. Sometimes, I like to ask others what they think of me.
So I asked my co-worker what he thought I was good at. “Umm, I don’t know Tiff, I’d say you’re good at helping people.” What? Is that it? In one sentence, he broke me down to a service of the year award recipient.
Of all the things I could dream of being, an award-winning writer, a runway model, or even a celebrity TV host, he said I was good at helping people.
Although what he said was true, I did not immediately feel any gladness. Anyone who knows me knows that I will lend a helping hand in a heartbeat, but it’s a thankless occupation.
I help my sister with her homework, but she gets mad because I tell her not to study with the radio.
I help my best friend with her relationship problems, but she gets mad if the solution does not work out.
I will even walk my 5-year-old pal to the candy machine and buy him cookies, but he will get mad when I ask him what is my name.
I think I hate the feeling of being unappreciated. That feeling makes helping people an arduous virtue to have.
It is not about money or materialistic gain; it is about letting others know their kindness and generosity is valued.
During the Christmas break, I watched my grandmother almost everyday because she is still recovering from a stroke.
I read to her, I fed her, I bathed her, and when she was asleep, I cried hoping she would get better. I tried, but she never smiled, never laughed. She just looked at me without much expression.
One day as I was getting ready to leave, she said, “Tiff, I really do love you.”
Now that I think about it, helping others is not that bad at all. Oh, and grandma: I really do love you, too.
Tiffany Pitts is a senior public relations student from Jacksonville. She is the Lifestyles Editor for The Famuan. Contact her at pittstiffany@hotmail.com.