The year was 1982.

I was seven years old when our church sponsored a family of refugees from Laos. At my young age I really had no concept of what a huge act this was. I had no idea of the conflict that they came from. I new that they were different from myself. From the way that they spoke to the things that they ate.

That made no difference to me.

One of the little girls, Maya, became my friend from day one. We were the same age and she spent a lot of time with my family. Years past and they moved to Wisconsin. I thought of them often. Just a few years ago I got a phone call from my dear friend that I had lost contact with through the years. We spoke like we had never lost touch. Her sweet spirit and memories that were vivid in her mind touched my heart. She remembered so much more than I did. But she brought it all rushing to the forefront of my mind.

I know this was the first seed of compassion that was planted in my soul.

Among the number of things that we instill in our children, I feel that this should be on the top of our list….Compassion. With the holiday season in the air, there is no better time to start. It may be having your children go through their toys to give to those less fortunate or visiting the elderly in a local nursing home. Such simple acts will be tiny seeds planted in their hearts.

And a compassionate heart will help to change the world.