Doing good

A fellow blogger recently sent me an email with the quote that made me think of Bernie, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” John Wesley

While Bernie is away she asked a few of us fellow bloggers to fill in for her. I agreed to do this in a heartbeat because it was a way for me to give back to her in a small way. I will start by saying this, I am blessed, we do not want for anything, but without a friend like Bernie my life would be somehow less; less fun, less caring, less interesting, she is the type of person that sees a need and tries to take care of it in any way she can. As a friend she is always there to hear my woes and offer her support, as a fellow blogger she is always mindful of the needs of others. I could give you so many examples, here are just a few;  one fellow blogger wrote about a cake cook book that they loved as a little girl and would love to find again because it was such a comforting thing from their childhood, Bernie found it and sent it as a surprise. Another blogger recently needed yarn to start an Esty shop to raise money for her family, Bernie doesn’t knit but wanted to make sure she would have everything she needed so she wrote her post Yarn for a Cause so other bloggers could help out. At Christmas her and Mr. Bernie decided not only to make sure a local elderly person was taken care of in their home town area through the local “Empty Stockings” program, but they also wanted to help out a blogger who’s little boy was just getting into Christmas by sending him a little package from Santa. Even her own blog was born out of helping another blogger get her site up and running.

She volunteers her time at the local Museum of Woman’s History doing interviews on PAX TV, something they were unable to do for a long time because of the time commitment involved, seeing the need Bernie stepped up.

Bernie is not just giving of her time but her space as well, if you are planning a trip to see her you can expect better digs than a 5 star hotel. She makes sure that you have a little gift basket in your room with soaps, teas or coffee, lip balm, a visitors guide if you need it and anything else she can think of that will make your stay more fun. If you happen to be a stray cat or a friends dog instead of a person that’s OK too, there is always room.

She is also supportive of the people around her, when she found out a fellow blogger was putting together a photo contest she not only encourage me to enter, she made sure all her readers knew about it so there would be a nice turn out for the Minnesota Moments photo contest , she is always encouraging her readers to check out other blogs, especially when there is further good things that can come from it, like in the case of It’s Just Life where every comment becomes a Comment for a Cause.

Bernie is the best reminder to just do something if you feel there is a need, she never says things like “I don’t have the energy, time, money, means” to make a change, she finds a way and makes things happen. I have often told my nieces and nephews that we all make ripples in this world so it’s important to be mindful of where we cast our stones. Bernie does not make ripples, she makes waves, the kind of waves that carve can carve out rock and make permanent change for those she touches. I am so very blessed that she has made my life more; more fun, more caring, more interesting.

If Bernie has touched your heart in some way it would be great if we could let her know. She adores getting cards and I though it would be fun for her to have a few waiting for her when she gets back from her trip. I know she would love it if you add a recipe, or tip of advice, or a favorite quote as well. If you would like to send her one just leave a message here or contact me through my blog and I will get you the address.

Thank you Bernie for being my friend! I hope you are all having a great start to the week, if you feel like stopping by my Make a Friend Monday hop I would love to get to know you and introduce you to a fellow blogger Bernie and I both love to read!

Michele