HESSTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) – For people like Pete and Sally Fleming, giving isn’t just a choice; it’s a way of life.
Ten years ago, at age 84, Pete died. Sally wasn’t sure what to do with the inheritance. She heard of families who argued over money and were torn apart. That was not going to happen to Fleming.
To honor Pete, Fleming decided not to keep the inheritance. They had no children, but gave inheritance money to nieces and nephews. "Then, when I die, all that [is left] will go to charity so they won’t fight over it," Fleming said.
She credits God for the thought. "I couldn’t think of it myself."
With the inheritance shared, Fleming gives freely. She likes that Mennonite Mission Network shares God’s love with all. Fleming’s donations have gone toward things like food and shelter for refugees, or to finish the water project in Nigeria.
Without children of her own, Fleming thinks more of others.
Fleming lives at Showalter Villa, a retirement community in Hesston, Kansas. At a Christmas party in December, each person was given a candy cane. Each person except for one. Sally Fleming noted this, "So I gave her mine," she said. Just as Fleming picked up the last candy cane, the paper boy came along his route. She quickly gave up her candy again. "It was just a little candy cane, but I just wanted to give it to him!"
Fleming also gives of her time. At age 95, she delivers mail, and scrapes dishes each Sunday in the dining hall. "It’s the dirtiest job," she said, smiling.
"You don’t have to look far to know that you have been blessed," Fleming said.
