Saturday, December 9, 2017

Care is a Verb

A wee visit to an earlier post.

For years my mother was given Francis Gay's Friendship book by her friend Eliza in Glasgow, Scotland. There is a new book every year and its been printed for decades.

 Women back in the day had waistlines 6" thinner.. can you see why?
To my knowledge, my mother did not read them but I devoured them when they came.  I just loved them and still do.
They were filled with old photos and uplifting words and stories.
This  inspiring little story came from the pages of one of Francis Gay's Friendship books.
I have paraphrased it a bit, but I hope you enjoy the message of the story.

A certain woman was working in the inner city and was visiting an elderly woman who lived in a dingy back room.
"I am praying for God to allow me to have a cleaner and brighter place to live," the elder lady said.
"Right!" said the visiting lady. "Let's get down to it".
The elderly lady thought that the visitor meant that she was going to pray for her.   Instead, the visitor got  down on her knees and began to scrub the floors and clean the house.

We often say we care about this or that but to care is a verb and implies action.
Verb:
noun
Grammar
noun: verb; plural noun: verbs

  1. a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence, such as hear, become, happen.
care
ker/
noun
noun: care
  1. 1.
    the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.

    "the care of the elderly"
    synonyms:safekeeping, supervision, custody, charge, protection, control, responsibility; More
    guardianship, wardship

    "the care of the child"
    help, aid, assistance, succor, support;
    concern, consideration, thought, regard, solicitude;
    informalTLC

    "care for the elderly"
    antonyms:neglect, disregard
  2. 2.
    serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk.

    "he planned his departure with great care"
    synonyms:caution, carefulness, heedfulness, heed, attention, attentiveness More

    "handle with care"
    discretion, judiciousness, forethought, thought, regard, heed, mindfulness;
    accuracy, precision, discrimination

    "she chose her words with care"
    antonyms:carelessness
    • an object of concern or attention.
      plural noun: cares

      "the cares of family life"
    • a feeling of or occasion for anxiety.

      "she was driving along without a care in the world"
      synonyms:worry, anxiety, trouble, concern, stress, pressure, strain; More
      sorrow, woe, hardship

      "the cares of the day"
verb
verb: care; 3rd person present: cares; past tense: cared; past participle: cared; gerund or present participle: caring
  1. feel concern or interest; attach importance to something.

    "they don't care about human life"
    synonyms:be concerned, worry (oneself), trouble oneself, concern oneself, bother, mind, be interested; More
    informalgive a damn, give a hoot

    "the teachers didn't care about our work"
    • feel affection or liking.

      "you care very deeply for him"
      synonyms:love, be fond of, be devoted to, treasure, adore, dote on, think the world of, worship, idolize

      "he cares for his children"
    • like or be willing to do or have something.

      "would you care for some tea?"
      synonyms:like, want, desire, fancy, feel like

      "would you care for a cup of coffee?"
  2. look after and provide for the needs of.

    "he has numerous animals to care for"
    synonyms:look after, take care of, tend (to), attend to, minister to, nurse;





3 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, my friend. I wonder why your mom didn't read the books? I devour books, my husband often kids me about doing so...this movement of Kindles and such is a disturbing thing to me...give me a musty, dirty, book any time of the day. I love the smell of books, silly I know...anyways...

    Thank you for such a lovely post, I hope you have a beautiful day, friend. (GOT SNOW?(ducking-grin)--- Its coming down here in western NY).

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  2. Wonderful post!
    We are each given talents meant to share...to make others'lives better .
    Although this has become a "mind your own business"society...cold and aloof...
    it is these small acts of self sacrifice and kindness that make each of us
    -givers and receivers alike-closer to the higher selves we are meant to be.
    Thank you for a valuable life lesson!
    Be warm and well,my friend!
    ...heading out to clear the car and walkway of snow...Hi Ho,Hi Ho...

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  3. That story is hilarious! I work like that woman too, hoping for a waist that's 6 inches smaller ;)

    I'm praying for your daughter's grandma. And for all of you too.

    love,
    rue

    ReplyDelete

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