Do a Good Turn Daily

My son, the Boy Scout.

It was like pulling teeth to get him through his Cub Scout years. But we did it (or more like I did it).

Now we are onto bigger and better things, the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scout slogan is: Do a good turn daily. Of course when he was advancing at his last pack meeting, he acted like he had never heard of such a thing.

"Do a whaaaa?"
"Do a good turn daily."
"I turn each day?"
"Nooooo, you find a good deed to do each and every day."
"Everyday?" (eyes widened in fear and dread)
"Yes, everyday."

Gulp.

I didn't think he had been giving this concept any real thought until today.

We were leaving the Target store and walking back to the car with our purchases. (It's my husband's birthday tomorrow, hence the necessity of a THIRD shopping trip for the day.) My son was in such a good mood, being so helpful with me and his little brother. It was totally awesome, making this shopping excursion a smooth and pleasant one.

Then he did it.

He actually did a good turn! I had to shake my head and pull on my ears to make sure I heard him correctly. First of all, he offered to take our shopping cart to the return cart stall. Now he has done this many times before, so that was not too unusual. It was the next thing that boggled my mind.

He said, "Mom, I see about five or six carts that haven't been returned. I'm gonna go get them and put them away." I tried to react normally. "Um, yeah, that would be good." I know I had a questioning look in my eyes and I was trying so hard to quickly cover it up.

So off he went in the heat of a hot muggy Arizona day. There was my eleven-year-old running around the parking lot herding carts back to the stall. I stood there watching him in amazement, mouth hanging open in disbelief and confusion, wiping the sweat pouring down my face.

I was and am so proud of him. He didn't wait to be asked, he actually looked for an opportunity to do a good deed, not expecting anything in return. It was not convenient nor was it easy for him (especially in this awful heat), but he did it with a smile on his face.

And I promise I did not buy him ONE SINGLE THING at the store. Much to his credit, he did not even ask for anything, gasp, not even a video game!

Ah yes, he can be challenging, but when these glimpses of goodness surface, I feel....could that be hope? Yes. I feel hope. I feel good.

"Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would
So good, so good, 'cause I got you"
(James Brown)

Yep, he's mine, all mine.