Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

I feel strongly that adolescents mimic what they see and it is our responsibility as adults to set a good example for kids to emulate. That is why I was quick to post this email I received yesterday from Amy. The role educators play is immeasurable, as this story proves, even when they are unaware of their impact.

From Amy:

Hello! I work in education & a common topic that comes up in conversation is the life-long influence we have on kids without even realizing it - both good & bad examples of this. My boss also happens to be my brothers former cross-country/track high school coach. At Thanksgiving this year, my brother, who is now a detective, told me a story about my boss that always stuck with him. The team was in New York City, and going into a fast-food place for lunch. There was a homeless man outside, asking passers-by for any spare change, and without hesitating, his coach reached into his pocket and gave him whatever he had - a few bills and some change, the majority of his coach's lunch money. My brother recalled how it happened so quickly, he had been the only one to see it & 24 years later, my brother still remembers that gesture, as if it happened yesterday. His coach saw my brother look at him incredulously, and just kind of shrugged it off saying, "he needs it a lot more than me". My brother knew his coach was not a wealthy man but a happy one - just a normal guy with three kids & a wife. In fact, in addition to teaching & coaching, he also worked part-time at a grocery store. My brother often sees the bad side of humanity & recognizes how it makes people resistant to helping others. Regardless of how the man used the money given to him, my brother said he often remembers that moment, when he needs help keeping things in perspective. My boss of course, doesn't remember it at all.... Amy