Hurricanes, earthquakes, refugees, genocide, prejudice, and now a mass shooting in my backyard. There is so much to do, so much we can do, and yet often I don’t know where to start. I see the devastation spinning through my social media channels and in the news, it hurts my heart. We’ve discussed as a family what we can and should do to help, and yet, as of right now I am doing and have done very little. But I want my kids to know.
You always can, and always should, do something.
A couple weeks ago, circumstances sent me to both the public health department, and the local family clinic – which cater to the uninsured and underinsured. I live in a fairly homogenous small town. It’s easy to believe that everyone is doing fine. There is no poverty, no hurt, no hunger. False. The waiting room was full of people that would rather go somewhere else but had no other option. Some had obvious health conditions, some had obviously had better days, some were pleasant, some were cranky. The receptionist smiled at everyone. I left, but the smile of the receptionist stayed with me. She brightened what could have been a miserable place.
She did something.
Throughout my career as a mother I have had many grand service schemes. A service project once a month. Deliver cookies every Sunday, volunteer weekly at a nursing home. We have yet to find a tradition that sticks – or in some cases, one that has gotten beyond the talking stage.Continue Reading