I had to write this...
First things, first: I realize this is our adoption blog, so
you’re likely expecting this to contain something regarding our kiddos and our
progress. Technically it does; it contains a lot of things about what we’re
learning in preparation for our kids as we navigate the ins and outs of this
crazy journey. But it’s not specific details on when we’ll meet them or some
big crazy announcement. We will do an adoption update in a few weeks, but right
now, we don’t have all that much information. What we do have and what we do want
to share with you is what we’ve been reflecting on, particularly over the past
few months.
That said, I don’t know about you, but this year, I’m really
struggling with buying presents. I’m not talking financially or
trying-to-decide-what-to-buy struggles; I’m talking justification. What in the
WORLD could we possibly need? It
seems so incredibly ridiculous to me that we buy each other things because it’s
the “holidays” and it’s “tradition”. I’m trying to wrap my head around this,
and it’s been a few years of really evaluating what exactly we are doing here.
In my personal opinion, I think these “traditions” need to be transformed into
something bigger and better. The best middle-ground I can settle on is shopping
social-enterprises and artisan products; gifts that improve living situations
for the artist like 31 Bits or Yobel Market. But that’s another topic,
altogether.
Drew and I have had some great opportunities the past few
month to attend more than a handful of fundraisers and to see first-hand the
good being done by ALL KINDS of organizations in the lives of others. From
international programs to programs right here in Denver, we’ve been inspired to
“be the change” (cliché, I know). But, seriously, we’re inspired and we want you
to be, too!
The thing is, we sit around a table and eat gobbs and gobbs
of food and tell each other what we’re thankful for and we post the entire
month about how blessed we are, but do we ever stop to think about (and not
just think, but actually put it into action) how we can bless SOMEONE ELSE?
Someone that isn’t sitting around our dinner table on Thanksgiving. Someone
that won’t be putting gifts under the tree for us. Someone we have never met.
Someone we may never meet. And yet, someone. They’re still SOMEONE. A person. A
human being that might not have a family, safety, a home, or food for that
matter. Do we ever sit down and think about how we can bless them? We
love to count our blessings, but maybe we should start sharing them.
I don’t want to get too preachy here, so forgive me if I’ve
already done that. But I think we all could use a reality check. Let’s just
break down “Thanksgiving” for a second. It isn’t call “Thank You” or “Say
Thanks” Day. It’s called ThanksGIVING. And yes, I know, it’s giving thanks for
all that we have. But what are we giving? Give literally means to ‘freely
transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to’. Maybe a
better question to ask is what CAN we give? We have no problem giving to people
who don’t need anything and who always give back, but what can you give to
someone who can never repay you or give
YOU thanks? Perhaps an even better question is “WHO can I give to?” or “Who
NEEDS what I CAN give?”
And please believe me when I tell you that I’m not on my
high-horse telling you I’m so much better at this. I struggled with what I was doing long before I started
this current struggle of why. Have
you ever even thought about WHY we give gifts? Of course it’s a gesture of love
and gratitude and a love language. But why do we save that language for only
those that are closest to us? The people who know that we love them? Why not
share that love with someone who is distant and a stranger. What if that love
language restored hope for a mother or fed children who are hungry? What if the
love we share gives a homeless Veteran a night of food and a warm bed, or a
child the courage to be themselves at school? The what-if’s are endless and we’ll
never know until we ask what we can do.
For the better part of the past 5 years, I struggled with
what I was doing with my life. Don’t get me wrong, I have an amazing supportive
husband, a great family and extremely loving friends. I was busy doing life, but
I really didn’t feel like I was doing anything. There was nothing meaningful in
my life, it seemed, because all I ever wanted to do was be a mom. My kids were
supposed to be my “meaningful” but they hadn’t arrived and I didn’t know what
to do or who I was outside of that plan. I was repeatedly reassured that I was
an amazing wife and a great friend and that I was making a difference in people’s
lives, yet I wasn’t convinced. Earlier this year, I began to volunteer with the
Colorado Haiti Project and something started to change. I began to develop a
different perspective. I started to see my roll on this planet as something
much more than a mom (you are very important, please don’t read into that…I’m
referring to my struggle to have an identity apart from something I hadn’t yet
become). I have gifts and talents that can help benefit others. I can volunteer
to plan events with this non-profit and see the people of Haiti reap the
benefits of that fundraising. All my hard work and time and gifts are so much
bigger than myself. They tell a story; they let someone know they are important
and they are loved and that they are worthy of my time. We’re always so busy,
but what are we busy doing? I suppose we don’t have time to stop and think
about why we’re so busy, because, well, we’re so busy.
I don’t have this all figured out and I doubt I ever will,
but I’m constantly learning new things and I have to share them: You have so
much to offer other people, be it time, talents, resources, passions, or
connections. Maybe you know that already; I didn’t until recently. So maybe
your challenge comes when you have to carve time out of busy schedules to make
giving a priority. By no means am I saying you should take more time away from
your family to do something else. But
what if….just WHAT IF we did something as a family. If we were busy as a family, loving another family or human being
who needs that love and is seeking hope? Find something you’re passionate
about. Teach yourselves and your kids to get
through giving, in whatever form. Find a reason to “give” thanks this
season and share the love in your own backyard or across oceans. That is my
heart this Thanksgiving.
If you need a place to start, here are a few of the
organizations we have a heart for: Click on them to learn more or find one that
excites you and get behind it somehow! Volunteer, donate, raise awareness…I
promise it will be rewarding, even if it’s just a little. The possibilities are
endless and we all have something worth giving.
Thank you so much for posting. Wholehearted agreement about Being Change.
ReplyDelete-Sarena Z.