A few weeks ago I got word that a friend and mentor had died. His death drew my attention to the many ways that he affected my life. Of the many things that left an impression upon me, I think one of the most important was observing the joy that flowed out of him from a place of abundant generosity. After watching him closely during my first few years out of college, I came to believe that generosity is not something that you can learn in the abstract. You can only get a feel for it from observing it up close…over time. George allowed me and my wife to get close enough to observe him and his wife Marilyn’s life. We were able to see the many ways that they shared both their time and possessions. Their lives stand in such stark contrast to the way many in the DC area live – most of whom seem to have a patronage perspective on generosity.
Todd Rivetti 