What impact are you having today, this month, this year?
At times I feel like I’ve done nothing, at other times I feel I have nothing left to give. I’m sure you can relate to those feelings. Two small things I’ve chosen are Judie O’Shaw’s Special Education Transition Class, to donate money to their cookie decorating party and instead of participating in the Secret Snowman gift exchange at work - I made a little something for everyone participating - because I just could not bring myself to be creative multiple times and surprise someone between now and Christmas break, but I could bring myself to make the same thing 11 times and share a small gift with everyone participating. I can add the $10 coupon to my cart at Safeway to provide a meal. I'm able to participate in all of our South County Consortium fundraisers, buying a sweatshirt, See’s Candy, and Dine and Donate at Mary’s Pizza tonight. I can do little things and still feel like a flop on giving Tuesday.
I think our teachers are in need of a giving Tuesday … coffee, velco, laminate, new glue sticks, construction paper, refill of the prize box, or even a kudos to how hard they are working,
Clearly, my brain is everywhere and nowhere all at once today - ever feel like that?
Well, I will add, and maybe a little late in my post - because who really gets this far … if anyone buys an Essential Oil, premium starter kit, today on GIVING TUESDAY, instead of giving you the $15 gift card to Amazon - I can donate it to the teacher of your choice!
Look at this cutie - his shirt says LOVE, and how can you NOT love that little blondy.
Blind Babies Foundation was my first job after completing my Masters in Education and becoming a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. It was such a special job with some of my fondest memories. Thinking back I admire those families so much, they were at their most vulnerable but welcomed me into their home as their cheerleader and teacher. A cheerleader after most people were busy consoling and comforting them, a teacher to help reshape their idea of how to parent their little one, a cheerleader to say - it’s okay - it’s just different.
For instance, if you think about how many baby toys are based on being brightly colored, but when you feel them, they all just feel like the same texture - plastic. My secret place to shop was the pet store - so many toys are already equipped with noisemakers. My other secret was kitchen drawers - full of wooden spoons, whisks, metal measuring cups (great stacking cups), pie plates, wicker baskets, etc. So many great toys - you just have to evaluate with your hands and ears, not eyes.
Anyway - this is not something that you are all curious about - I’m just reminiscing as I decorate our tree. I do love watching This Is Us, I love following the story of baby Jack, grown-up Jack is cool too #JackDamon, and I’m easily a fan of Blake Stadnik but watching baby Jack and all the emotions and decisions Kate and Toby go through, that’s what pulls my heartstrings.
What was your most formative job? What job moved your heart or shaped your life?
November has held a lot of tree cutting. None of them have been our Christmas Tree. This year is so different wanting to help Kevin with the yard work. When he was a professional landscape gardener, it was part of the work week for him. Now it takes place during family time so I am jumping in to help. My pedometer can attest that it ain’t no joke. You get your workout in loading the trailer with branches. I learned to use a chainsaw this month too. THAT IS FUN! I hopefully have been helpful. I really have found joy in these types of togetherness this year.
I’ve been playing with our Christmas card for photos and there are a lot of good times the four of us have had, camping, biking, hiking, … it’s our version of 2020 and it works.
P.S. Tree oils are some of the most AMAZING essential oils around. The Northern Lights Farm collection might just be the most amazing set of tree oils ever created!
It is the spirit of giving, it’s not the hustle and bustle of Black Friday (and yes, I have things I could post today). I’d rather continue to promote yesterday’s giving and gratitude at least another day.
I love this story from Katharine Hepburn’s childhood; in her own words.
“Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus.
Finally, there was only one other family between us and the ticket counter. This family made a big impression on me.
There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. The way they were dressed, you could tell they didn't have a lot of money, but their clothes were neat and clean.
The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by-two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, animals, and all the acts they would be seeing that night. By their excitement, you could sense they had never been to the circus before. It would be a highlight of their lives.
The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and enjoying seeing his family happy.
The ticket lady asked the man how many tickets he wanted? He proudly responded, "I'd like to buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets, so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady stated the price.
The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. Then he leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?" The ticket lady again stated the price.
The man didn't have enough money. How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?
Seeing what was going on, my dad reached into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill, and then dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!) My father bent down, picked up the $20 bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."
The man understood what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking and embarrassing situation.
He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied; "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."
My father and I went back to our car and drove home. The $20 that my dad gave away is what we were going to buy our own tickets with.
Although we didn't get to see the circus that night, we both felt a joy inside us that was far greater than seeing the circus could ever provide.
That day I learnt the value to Give.
The Giver is bigger than the Receiver. If you want to be large, larger than life, learn to Give. Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything.
The importance of giving, blessing others can never be overemphasized because there's always joy in giving. Learn to make someone happy by acts of giving.”
~ Katharine Hepburn
Made our own Turkey Trot this year - 6.76 miles 2 hours 15 mins and a view of the Bay, Thankful, Grateful, Blessed!
“For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have so many things to be thankful for today including this beautiful community. I hope your day is full of love and laughter!
