At the risk of sounding like a disparaged elderly person making it their sole mission to get on the case of a younger, self-absorbed generation, I worry something has generationally been lost in translation: acts of service for those we love. Don’t get me wrong. This is an extreme generalization, and I would love to be proven wrong. However, the kind of self-sacrifice and servitude for loved ones that our parents exhibited seems to have gone out of style. It’s about time we bring it back.
I was reflecting on this sentiment upon hearing a story my grandparents shared over Easter brunch. They had been driving through Florida on vacation and texted a longtime friend who lived in the state as they passed through, letting them know they were thinking of them. The friend immediately responded, touched, and asked them to come pay a visit. She lived 100 miles from the highway. My grandparents took the first exit.
Where has this spirit gone? The willingness to give more of oneself than necessary for the sole purpose that it means something to someone else. I don’t mean doing what is convenient. I don’t mean doing something that fits nicely into your schedule for that special someone, a dear friend or even a distant family member. I am referencing true servitude. Here are four things you can do to revive this obsolete way of being. Your loved ones can thank me later.
Bring them to the airport: This is the most quintessential example I could possibly conjure to reflect the evolution of our generation. I am a firm believer that if you are Ubering to the airport or hailing a taxi in the godforsaken departure lane, you must have no one that loves you. I will die on this hill. It is the ultimate expression of love to go out of your way to transport your mom, boyfriend or bestie to the airport. It is an act that has no possible benefit for oneself, only shows consideration and kindness towards someone you care about. Yes, to my friends reading this, I am crying for help. Pick me up from the airport.
Handwritten mail or cards: There are a handful of reasons I believe I was born in the wrong generation: handwritten letters being number one. A text is so last season. Tell me you are thinking of me by post. Carrier pigeon even. Taking the time to sit down and write a message to a friend is not only beautiful in itself, but a token of love that can be kept forever. When we look back on our life, how wonderful would it be to have mementos of the love we have experienced. Next time you take a trip, consider mailing a scenic postcard to your sister, or maybe the next time it is your long-distance boyfriend’s birthday, opt for sending a handwritten letter.
Calling on the phone: I have made my stance on this more than clear, but communication via snapchat or other media platforms simply won’t do. Pick up the phone once in a while and use your voice. Rather than scrolling on Instagram on your walk to class, consider giving a friend a call just to say hello. While scheduled hangouts or text exchanges are important parts of communication in a relationship, so is randomly reaching out just to hear each other’s voice.
Dropping in just because: Now this, this is retro. When is the last time you have popped by the house or office of a loved one just because you wanted to say hi. According to my history books of the good old days, people used to do this on the regular. If you are looking to make the extra effort, consider dropping in just because. Similar to an unexpected phone call, it is a touching symbol of your love and desire to sacrifice your time to reach out to those you love.
While we are a generation with many unique strengths, there are certainly areas for great improvement. Let this be one. It is easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life, making free time sparse and often reserved for self-motivated desires. No, I am not shaming personal time, but rather suggesting acts of service for those you love need to become a more necessary and regular usage of one’s time than they currently are. It is a wonderful feeling to be loved. Make sure those around you feel it. With love.
