Henry wants to do the right thing.

Yesterday I asked Henry to go into a store and get something for me while I waited outside with the dog. He performed this task so admirably—I could see him through the store window, saying please and thank you in all the right places, while the guys behind the counter grinned down at him—that when he returned and handed me my change, I said, "You keep it." It was a dollar. He was shocked. A dollar? He could buy out the toy store with this wealth! Buy all the Hershey bars in the universe!

We walked half a block, debating the merits of spending vs. saving. We were waiting outside the grocery store for Scott, and as we stood there, Henry said hello to a homeless man asking for change. Then he handed him the dollar. They exchanged a high-five. Henry walked back to me and said, "That was totally worth it—he was such a nice guy." I waited for him to ask for another dollar, but he never mentioned it again.

Scott came out of the store and we made our way home. Along the way, we talked about homelessness and poverty and inequality and what Henry could do to change things. He's got some big ideas, people. Wait until you hear.

Comments

[Kristina Kelly]

I work with a bunch of lazy, self-absorbed teenagers who are full of entitlement, have poor work ethics, and are not motivated to make their lives better but will complain forever about their newest baby mamas, how they don't get paid enough (after calling in "sick" the day before) and how they can't afford that new video game. It makes me sad for my old age and this world. This story of yours brought a smile to my face and hope to my day! There ARE good kids out there, there IS hope after all! Thanks for raising a good kid! Thanks to all you moms + dads for raising good kids! You're doing great jobs!

[Cat]

Oh dear lord, the sniffles I have.

[repliderium.com]

I love this post. I wish we were all a little more like the kids. (Well, kids like yours, not the neighbors daughter that starts all of the fires and shit.)

[Liam's Grandma]

That made me cry. As a grandmother now of a 1 year old (where does the time go and we find our children grown up and we are grandparents....), I look forward to yet another opportunity to teach, watch and learn myself as Liam grows and I, once again, can view the world through a child's eyes.

[Ailidh]

how lovely.

[Franca Bollo]

No! Really? Oh my GOD! I am totally gobsmacked! Maybe it's just me and the fact that I do not have children and am not around them that often that I am so impressed by his maturity and sensitivity. As a parent, isn't that part of what you hope to instill in a child? So, he'll cycle around to the little narcissist but you've seen what's within and know it, too, will come around.

[supertiff]

that is the best story of all time.

[Kate]

My heart just exploded. Economy and recession and Ponzi schemers and terrorism and the value of the dollar be damned. Your child (and your parenting! High five!) just reminded me that the world is secretly an okay place.

[Sarah (Montreal)]

such a lovely giving heart Henry has. Reminds me of what my son did just last week. He was at daycamp, and that day they were going to a neighbouring hotdog place for lunch so they had to bring some money. I gathered together $10 in change thinking he'd have enough for a hotdog/drink/fries and maybe later an icecream .. with some change leftover. At the end of the day I asked him how his lunch was and he said wonderful, he had a hotdog and a drink. I said oh, so you have some change leftover. No he said, his friend Jason was complaining about his lunch (that I think his mom had sent him not wanting him to have a hotdog) so he gave him $3 for a hotdog and drink, and another friend didn't have enough money and wanted a poutine (for non-quebecers that is french fries/gravy and cheese curds .. weird yes, good yes!) so my son gave him the remainder of his money.I'm touched by my son's sweet heart, really! And Henry has one too! Awesome!

[Katie]

What a wonderful moment for you as his Mom! That kid must have some killer parents setting stellar examples!!

[Pamela]

Aw... very sweet. And also gives me hope for the future. Four-year-old C. just spent the entire vacation either saying "I hate everyone" or saying "I love you." It's a little crazy. I look forward to more reasoned, more selfless days. Someday.

[misstraceynolan]

You're family rocks.

[Erin]

I know I'm really late, but I feel compelled to say that I really love this post.

[sacda]

I told your story to a relative, who has a daughter Henry's age. Her response? "She let her son near a homeless person? She let him TOUCH a homeless person?"

Sigh.

[sonyala]

awesome kid!

[Lucy's Mom]

I found your site through a link on Black Hockey Jesus and I'm glad I came over. I work with people in poverty through organizing and policy change. But I admire all the work people like Henry do to make someone's life a little brighter as we go through the very slow work of shifting the balance to a more just world.Henry's actions are a reflection of what he has learned from his family and I believe there are a lot of really good people (like you) teaching their children well. It's a beautiful story, thank you for sharing.

[Julie]

This gives me hope! My 6-year old boy is in the selfish, sulky phase and it's driving me crazy. I know the good hearted, generous side is in there and I'm now optimistic that I'll be seeing it soon.

[schmutzie]

That's how you know you're doing it right. What a sweet thing to do.

[Mauigirl]

Wow, that was wonderful! So glad Henry has such a generous spirit!

[MookeiMom]

This story totally almost made me cry at my desk at work. I fought back since I don't want 8 million nosey co-workers asking me what's wrong. I have a 15 month old and my one goal is to make sure I raise an empathetic person. I HOPE HOPE HOPE she turns out like your kid. What a sweetheart.