Reflections on gratitude

George: Another thing: ever since I was born, I always thank people for helping me. My aunt helped me, and my cousin helped me. And the school used to examine my eyes. One day I couldn't see the board, and they said I needed glasses, and they sent me to the oak clinic at the Mass General for glasses. They used to take X-rays for my chest at school.

So I have to thank the school. I'm grateful for all these people that helped me, even the charities like St. Vincent de Paul; he took me to a clothing place and bought me a suit, and I will never forget it. This poor old man, his hands were shaking signing the check. Those are things that I remember, even small things like how the street car conductor used to drop me off in front of my house. I remember his name and even the policemen around the neighborhood, they used to come in, sit down, have a cup of coffee. My aunt used to give him something liquor, a drink, if they wanted it. I remember his name was Bill Porter. I remember all these small things… the doctor that used to come to the house to check my aunt because she was blind, and he would look at me and say, “You got to build yourself up, little scrawny kid.” 

So I had all this help, people helping me, and I appreciate it. Gratitude is a big thing with me, along with thanking people. I think that's what life is all about: we help each other, and that's how we get along. I don't like all this fighting in politics today. I don't like that at all.