I had been part of a celebration of life in the Unitarian Church and would like to share the experience of sharing, how sharing happened in different ways.
Offering a reception as part of a celebration of life is one of the gifts of our church; it is done by members who volunteer their time in making it happen; they share their time in setting it up and providing refreshments and food.
The family gave us volunteers a gift certificate to express their appreciation. At the end, two large, untouched trays of sandwiches were left. I suggested sharing them with some people who were unhoused, which was agreed as a good idea.
I drove to an area where I knew some people had put up their tents and other improvised shelters. I walked from one tent to the other, and after saying hello offered each person some sandwiches. Every time I offered a second sandwich their reply was, “What about the others, is there enough for them also?' Only after I told them that I had more to give did they take a second sandwich.
I found this remarkable and admirable: it was dinner time and clearly they did not have any food. Yet, they were all concerned about their neighbours’ need to get some food too. That, I thought is true sharing!
It is one way to share from a perspective of plenty as we of the reception at our church were doing; it is quite different than sharing from the perspective of lacking. The people living on the street had nothing, no food at all. Yet they insisted of making sure the others were getting some food too. They were sharing the little they were offered. On top of that, they were thanking me and expressing their genuine appreciation.
It was a humbling experiences as well as an uplifting one: it confirmed to me that no matter the circumstance people are people, with their own dignity and their own generosity. And, it proved to me how important community is, how being part of a community creates the feeling of caring for each other.
May we all practise sharing and may we all take while keeping others in mind.
Hanny Pannekoek
Saanich
