The Driver

She stood inside the lobby, near the heavy glass doors, watching and waiting for a visitor. He pulled into the crescent drive, smiled and waved. A moment later, he was holding a meal in one hand and the door in the other. Her eyes twinkled and her smile spoke of gratitude and gladness. I stood off to the side and observed, admiring the kindness and compassion of the Meals-on-Wheels volunteer.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 62.8 million Americans volunteer their time and energy in a variety of ways. We see volunteers almost every day, at school or at the library, on the youth soccer field or as I did, walking into a condominium tower. If you're like me, you have volunteered here and there over the years, but you didn't feel that your contribution was extraordinary. You were just 'helping out'.

My experience today ~ watching a hopeful woman's face brighten as her volunteer arrived ~ changed my perception. Your contribution matters. For someone, somewhere, it makes all the difference in the world.