Several years ago, I wrote a magazine feature about a pastor. He had a vision for a community project and wanted to get his outreach team on board. The group responded with enthusiasm and the pastor’s vision became a reality. When I interviewed him, I was drawn to the three opening words of his impactful plea to the mission outreach team. “Dream with me.”

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of giving back to a world that has given much to me. With some aging limitations, I also realize the “I can do anything” mindset of youth is not realistic, but there’s plenty to be done. My first giveback priority today is making sure my writing adds to the life of the community. And what else is there to do? What simple kindnesses will enhance others?

Many folks give money to various worthy causes. People donate gently used articles of clothing, help prepare and serve free meals, transport individuals who can no longer drive. The list of obvious good deeds is endless, but what about the little gifts that fly under the radar? What about the small meaningful touches we’re all capable of offering?

I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately, remembering a few instances of altruism that did a world of good for others and taught me as well. There’s nothing like a compassionate soul quietly, simply, lovingly boosting fellowship by helping a human or critter.

If you follow this column, you’ve read about my father and his quiet acts of generosity — caring for my ill mother, helping a young blind child see the world through words and touch, picking up a disheveled, inebriated hobo from a New York City sidewalk and placing him gently on a park bench away from the taunts and kicks of self-righteous morons.

I remember the time I listened as a new exercise client in my hospital wellness class talked on and on about her day. It was my lunch hour, but focusing on the woman didn’t give me much chance to eat. After she left my supervisor, who had witnessed our conversation, made a thought-provoking comment that has stayed with me for years. “It was so nice of you to give Annie your time,” she said. “She lives alone and has no family. You’re probably the only person she’s talked to all day.”

Then there are those folks who visit homebound friends, make a phone call just to chat, weed an incapacitated neighbor’s flower bed, walk an ailing friend’s dog — all simple, uplifting acts of kindness.

And right in my family, in addition to my father’s benevolence, the eldest son spends time cleaning old, neglected gravestones, the youngest son fosters homeless critters, and middle kiddo teaches violin to seniors helping improve posture, coordination, and mood.

Sure can’t leave my husband out of this conversation. If you know me, you know I love animals. Jim has always accepted this trait and welcomed my lengthy parade of pets. He’s been kind to each one, yet his true colors shone brightly a few years ago with an unexpected act of goodwill. I had stepped out onto our deck in the early morning light. There was an odd movement to my left. Turning, I saw a small fawn stuck on the top of our picket fence. Caught in between two posts, she flailed with fright. My loud, “Oh my God,” brought Jim outside. Calmly, he placed a sturdy chair on the ground just under the fawn’s head and gently pushed her from behind until she flopped onto the chair and then slipped to the ground. After resting, the tiny girl stood and raced off unscathed.

Sometimes a gracious act comes in the form of shared feelings like the time my neighbor, a week into giving up cigarettes, said through tears of embarrassment that she’d had a panic attack in the grocery store. Another dear neighbor told her she’d experienced scary panic attacks right after quitting smoking, and assured her they had passed within a few weeks. They hugged. “Thank you,” our calmer non-smoker said, “Now I feel normal.”

With warm holiday spirits, what uncomplicated gifts can we offer? “Dream with me.”

Carole Marshall is a former columnist and feature writer for a national magazine. Her stories have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She’s written two novels and one fitness book. cmkstudio2@gmail.com