When we listen, we learn.  Listening is also a social skill. It includes displaying a listening attitude through body language (eyes on speaker, being quiet) and absorbing what is being said (rather that thinking about something else, like what one’s response will be, or what mischief one can be up to when

Thank you to everyone who responded to my request for examples of “doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons”.  Please keep them coming; yes, it is somewhat like random acts of kindness, with a special twist.

“This occurs, in my view, when an opportunity presents itself, either via thought or observation. Then you make a choice to either let it go, or decide to do something.  Hopefully, we get all three right :(Right thing-right time-right reasons). Many emotions enter into this formula; ranging from opportunistic greed to a genuine caring and extending one's self to the benefit of someone else, given the circumstances. Many of these decisions are made on impulse and some are thought out, and most always reflect on one’s character. Doing the right thing, at hopefully the right time and for the right reasons are rewarding to the doer. The satisfaction gained in getting all three right can't help but make you feel terrific!

“However insignificant or major the event, the formula is pretty much the same. Last winter, as I parked my truck near a commercial building, I observed a tiny kitten about the size of

a softball.

“It was by itself, huddled up on this very cold evening next to a building. It would scurry off when approached.  I carry a bag of cat food in the bed of my truck for opportunities like this.  I put a handful of food in a protected spot where this little fuzz ball could get to it.   I returned the next few nights repeating this procedure.  It got to the point that when I would show up at this location, this little kitten would race out into the middle of the parking lot and run circles around me, eventually letting me pick her (as I found out) up. Long story short, I was able to take this little kitten to a rescue facility where an understanding was ironclad that she would be adopted out or returned to me. In fact she was adopted, along with the name of ‘Muffin’, which I had given her.

“This is just my tiny version of doing the right thing at the right time for what I believe are the right reasons. I was rewarded with very warm feeling I got from it.”

Nick lives in South Carolina now and, probably, knowing his nature and his profession, has many, many stories of doing the “rights”.  I am very touched that it was this story of saving the life of a little kitten is the one he remembers and shares with us to illustrate the “rights”.  He’s a “right good writer” too.  Thank you, Nick. 

This is a juicy story:  The members of The First Presbyterian Church continue to fill in the juice-gap by providing juices in great variety and numbers.  Feeding our lambs, they are.  Nothing brings as much joy to our hearts as when friends unify in their support of those who have not or less than.  The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury added another thousand dollars in support.   “Mr. Jonathan” Craig from Trinity Church in Princeton is a regular, offering a variety of items.  The Milots, Andrew and Denise, made a very generous contribution.    John Baxter helped close the technology gap with a computer.  Valarie Bottega, Lina Maria Garcia, Maria DeMeo, Desiree Trinidad,  Michael & Michelle Cocciodillo donated a variety of toys and learning materials

including doll strollers, shopping cart, games, puzzles, play center and a variety of blocks.

Storytelling Arts, Inc., in the persons of Silvia Estrada and Susan Danof, have added to our young students joy and variety of learning by providing regularly-scheduled storytelling for them.

Thank you, every one, for the diverse ways in which you have chosen to encourage our young students and their families.  If Better Beginnings were a bus, some would be engine parts, some wheels, some the spark.  The children would be sitting in the seats singing a “glad song”.

Penny Pincher visited the Kinder-Age children.  Picking up a tissue box, she asked, “This is a pretty box.  What shall we do with it when it is empty?   Good ideas, from Evita, who insisted that it be “recycled”, and her

Bettie Witherspoon is a former executive director of Better Beginnings, which has provided affordable child care to the East Windsor/Hightstown area since 1967.