38. You can't make everyone happy.

Over the years I have been blessed by knowing a lot of very wonderful and kind people. I know that it is debatable, but I believe that most people are inherently good. They try to do the right thing, are kind to everyone and are helpful and giving. To some, it is instilled by their upbringing and often has roots in their religious convictions. However, these giving individuals are faced with one insurmountable issue. They often try to make everyone around them happy and that is impossible, with one exception. 

I love to illustrate this lesson by using my wonderful sister, Helen, who has passed away, as the most giving person I ever knew. You never left her home without her giving you some small gift - a pair of knit slippers, a jar of pickles or a pair of socks. She was a 365-day-a-year Mrs. Clause! When she came to visit you, she often brought a large bag of gifts that would include something for everyone present. It made her happy and everyone around her happy as well. 

Christmas dinner was her ultimate venture where she tried to accommodate the culinary wishes of every one of the twenty to thirty guests. She would serve a full course turkey dinner complete with dressing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, turnips, peas and carrots, gravy and buns. But she knew that her friend Kay didn't like turkey, so there was also a baked ham, with scalloped potatoes, two kinds of green salads, mustard pickles and jellied salad. And what would Christmas be without some cabbage rolls and dill pickles? Just in case, she would also manage to find room on the buffet table for some sliced roast beef, boiled potatoes, ambrosia salad, beef gravy, fresh hot rolls and Brussell sprouts. As a final flourish, there were at least two pies, assorted squares, fruit and cheese and coffee or a dozen herbal teas for dessert. She did manage to make everyone happy. So happy in fact all of the guests were invited back the next day, for leftovers! 

My sister was a one of a kind wonderful person. She had the ability to make everyone happy. I know that I could never live up to her standards. Can you?