Contrary to Popular Belief, Obi Wan Kenobi Is Not Our Only Hope

On New Year’s Eve day, Zac was in rare typical 13-year-old form all day long, badgering and baiting his sisters and winding up his little brother like a cheap Happy Meal toy. He just could not stop. The only times it did stop was when somebody cried, screamed, tattled, or stormed away. I was not looking forward to staying up until midnight with my wonder doofus of a son.

            As of late, to ring in the New Year, we have been joining my sister–in-law and her family to watch movies and stuff our faces with delectable (not-so-good-for you) food. This year’s fare was quite tasty as well: Monte Cristo loaf, spicy BBQ wings, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs,pizza rolls, raspberry-brie pastries, seafood won-tons, chocolate lava cake (not pictured), and the usual fruits, veggies, crackers, and candies. 

            When we arrived, we unfolded out of the van, multiple crockpots and platters and blankets and pillows and children (all of whom removed their coats and shoes on the ride over, of course) to haul in to the house. I looked for Zac to help out, but he had disappeared. The growling under my breath grew to a dull roar as we entered. A minute later, the thirteen-going-on-twenty-three-year-old came sauntering in. Too engrossed in setting up the food train, I ignored him for the time being.

            A few minutes later, Amy called me over to show me something on Facebook: a post from my in-laws’ neighbor. I include it here with a small grammatical correction (Yes, I’m one of those people.) :

Just encountered the kindest young man as I was taking my garbage out. He was waiting on my neighbors to open their door after knocking when I saw him. I looked down to make sure I didn't slip on the death ice when he approached me and said, "Here, let me get that for you." He had a smile on his face & proceeded to take the bag out of my hands & took it to the dumpster. The holiday spirit continues! I'm not sure who your visitor is, Christopher & Emily, but he's a good houseguest to have! He totally made my day!

            I was flabbergasted. My progeny, the one who could care less about anyone outside himself not even ten minutes earlier, helped a complete stranger…without being asked. Wow. I pondered this, and reflected upon other small kindnesses he had shown over the Christmas holidays, helping younger siblings wrap presents (even though they still appeared to be wrapped by a blind T-Rex), keeping secrets (mostly), reading stories (he had no interest in), shoveling snow and ice (for hours). Really, he was a good kid.

            It reminded me of a lesson I gave at church the Christmas before about becoming like the Savior. One of the main points I drove home was encapsulated in a grammar lesson. Frequently, when someone is asked “How are you?” or something similar, the reply is usually “I’m doing good,” when it should be “I am doing well.” Socially, but not grammatically, this has become acceptable.  I pointed out to the class parts of speech and usage rules, and that doing “good” implies doing something to benefit others, doing what the Savior did—acts of charity and mercy. “Doing good” actually answers the question “What are you doing?”

            And this, I think, is my Christmas wish, my New Year’s hope, or whatever—a bit of sentimentality to be brought to reality. Hopefully, we can all do more good…wherever we find ourselves: work, home, church, Wal-Mart. Even the least of us can become a “do-gooder.” May this spawn some cheesy discussion of holiday spirit or service or such. All I know is that the world could use some good.  Let’s go do it. And be it. I feel that if we all perform more kindnesses, then even teenage wonder doofuses, and not just Jedi, can bring greater hope and peace to this world.

Disclaimer: Obi Wan Kenobi is still the coolest Jedi in the galaxy.