‘Tis the Season #GivingTuesday

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I know I know, today is Halloween. And trust me, we’re celebrating over here. I’ve got a Strawberry Shortcake, a friendly witch, and a ballerina running around my house, as well as a Dinosaur roaring for my constant attention today.

But I’d like to talk to you about something else today.

Giving

My family has been blessed numerous times from others generosity.  From anonymous generosity to family and friends being there through tough times. I have truly been blessed to know such giving people.

Growing up my mom taught me this

When you are down, and having a bad day. Feeling selfish or depressed. Do something for someone else. Do it without looking for returns. Do it to help them. And when you do, you’ll start to feel better. You’ll soon forget what was troubling you.

This piece of advice has stuck with me forever. This simple piece of advice, to GIVE, is my mom summed up. Always looking for service to give, whether to friends, neighbors or her own family.

There was one winter we were sturggling. Getting by month to month on student loans and family help.  We came home early from our Christmas trip to see Mark’s parents to find many anonymous gifts.  Presents had been dropped on our doorstep for the girls. Warm coats that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to buy them and a few toys.  In the mail, with no return address, were gift cards to our local grocery store. I think I sat down and cried when I opened those up. Someone was looking out for us. Someone GAVE without need for recognition or return.

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Because of this experience, I  have tried to always remember my moms advice, but not just on my bad days. I try every day to see who might need my help. I want to GIVE because I now know the immense relief and joy it might bring to someone. Knowing that feeling, is enough for me.

A couple years ago I joined Cafemom. Throughout the years one group has become very close to me and each other. These are women/moms all over the world I have connected with. Most of us have not and will probably never meet in person.

So there I was one day, trying to find more ways to Give back. I had an idea and decided to run it past the owner of my cafemom group. She loved the idea, and helped me get it going. We now have a private group on cafemom dedicated to giving back. We call ourselves angels.  I can’t even begin to tell you all that this group has done. I may have started the group, but it’s the ladies who joined who are truly amazing. Every year about this time, we start looking for our fellow cafemom members in need. I do the leg work and contact the members for addresses, kids ages and clothing sizes. But then my angels do the important stuff. They dig into their pockets, their own kids clothes, and they Give Back! They bless these moms who are struggling. Moms who are crying because they don’t have a single present under the tree for their kids. We help. We give back. Because that is what it’s all about.

Help us continue our ThanksGIVING celebrations through Nov 27 with Giving Tuesday. A day to give back. Find someone to help. Give of your time. Give smiles. Give presents. and Give Thanks.