Leading By Example // Blog By Hilary

Instead of finding a particular story to share, I wanted to tell a little about my upbringing.  I am from a family of six.  I am one of four siblings. Growing up we did not have much.  My dad had been laid off once, my mother’s medical bills kept piling up, and with four kids I know it must have been hard on my parents.  Overall, my family was showered with love and I have my parents to thank for that.

Here are some of the memories I have.  I remember calls my dad would make after talking to company representatives.  Almost every time he had good service, he would ask or call to speak with his or her boss.  Many people jump on the idea to call and complain about service, but my dad was eager to also inform the boss when he had excellent service.  I remember as young as 12 thinking about how nice that was.  I always wondered if that person ever got a pat on the back by their boss that next week.

We lived in Memphis Tennessee for five years.  The summers were brutally hot.  I remember my mom leaving out two Gatorades every Thursday for the Garbage Truck men.  When we had a moving company at our house, my mom went out and bought food to make sub sandwiches with for all of the workers.

My uncle owns his own business in Florida.  I remember hearing his employers’ kids say how much they appreciated him.  Every Thanksgiving he bought every family a huge Turkey.

After a long day of working outside and getting things ready for a yearly Fourth of July party, I remember my aunt going around the room to wash, clean and massage every single one of our feet.

So why am I telling you all this?  Why share these little stories of my own life?  These are only a few of the many stories I could tell when it came to witnessing kindness from an adult in my life.  I want to make it known to parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and any adults out there that whether you know this or not, the kids are watching and they are learning.

I am so thankful to have been surrounded by such giving people in my life.  They are what gave me the passion I have for people and service.  No matter how big or little the act they did was, someone most likely saw it.  I know some adults may think, “Oh my child has no interest in what I do.” Or, “I can get away with doing this, because my kids don’t know or care.” But that is wrong.  We are watching everyday.  We are observing you from the moment we are born until we die.  You are our coaches in life.  You must show us and lead us and guide us onto the right path.  And yes, we will fall off and make mistakes, but keep holding on.  It is because of you that we were even born and it is because of you that we will one day realize all of this.

For me, I am realizing this more and more everyday.  I am realizing that my parents were right, maybe not in all cases, but definitely in many.  I realize everything they did growing up made an impact in my life.  They lead by example.  They made it known to us that God was their Father and my Father.  They accepted the responsibility in a way that leaves me so proud to be their child.  I was watching them when they did not know.

So do not think we don’t care or that we aren’t paying attention.  Because when you least expect it, we are.   I encourage you to take this in and in whatever way you feel is necessary, act upon it because you never know what kind of different you are making.