A Giving Spirit

We live in a consumerist culture where goods are meant to be owned and a person’s possessions largely define who they are. I bought it, I own it, and I will guard it. If you want it, I will sell it to you, for the right price of course. Thus, the virtue of generosity is rare admits the sea of credit cards and advertisements. Instead of the possessive norm, generous persons recognize that they own nothing which they have not been given. A few days ago, I encountered an excellent example of giving spirit, and I wanted to share it.

I met Jerry unexpectedly at an event on Taylor’s campus. Each year one of the floors in the dorm where I live hosts a night called Tonight We Ride. They dress up in vintage motorcycle leather and have a party where you can come, put on some leather from the collection, take pictures on a bike, and enjoy a root beer keg. Jerry supplies the vintage leather collection (I’m talking hundreds of jackets) and generously allows students to wear what they like for the night. I had the opportunity to meet Jerry, who hangs out for the evening’s festivities, and told him a bit about the trip. He was enthusiastic, and invited me over to his house to check out the full collection. I headed over there this past weekend, and it was unbelievable! Beside an impressive collection of vintage motorcycle apparel, Jerry collects Fire Boots. He has a neat relationship with FDNY 10 House located near ground zero and has a pair of boots that were used during the 9/11 rescue. You can see pictures of his collection at www.classicboots.com.

Before I left, Jerry gifted me a jacket to use for the trip… for safety and style. It makes me look tougher than I am.

I hope that throughout my life, I can recognize the temporary nature of goods and develop a strong desire to share what I have around me.