I did something last night that I probably haven’t done in more than 25 years.
Volunteer work.
Now I’m not telling you this because I want some pat on the back or because I want you to see me in a certain way. I am who I am. As you can tell from this blog, my initial thoughts are generally about myself … not others. I’m telling you this because participating in the volunteer work really made ME feel good.
One of my co-workers and I went to one of the local shelters and read stories and played with the children for an hour to give the mothers a break. There were nine kids ranging in age from three to seven. Six girls and three boys. On the real, I’m not particularly fond of little kids but I love sharing books and reading to anyone that will listen. And they listened. I read Amazing Grace while one of the little ones sat on my lap
If you don’t know the story it’s about a little girl who wants to play Peter Pan in the school play. One of her classmates tells her that she can’t because she’s a girl and another one says she can’t because she’s Black. Grace was sad at first but than her mother and grandmother encouraged her and told her that there wasn't anything that she couldn’t do. Of course, Grace got the part. It's a great story that I enjoyed reading to my daughter so many years ago and I enjoyed reading it again last night.
Then my co-worker read a story about a king that wouldn’t get out of the bathtub. I can’t remember the name of the book but it was funny and the illustrations were beautiful. He recruited some of the boys to help him with the sound effects in the book.
It was a good evening. It struck me that even though these kids were living in this shelter … whatever circumstances that brought them there didn’t seem to affect their ability to have fun. That gave me pause. I told you in an earlier post how I was depressed and sat on my couch for two weeks. I guarantee what I was going through couldn’t compare to what those kids and their mothers were going through. I don't know, it just made me think …
After the stories, the girls played dress up and the boys built buildings with blocks and then ran them over with trucks. It’s been a long time since I sat on the floor and played with little kids. It was good to escape my everyday routine and do something for someone other than myself.
Volunteer work.
Now I’m not telling you this because I want some pat on the back or because I want you to see me in a certain way. I am who I am. As you can tell from this blog, my initial thoughts are generally about myself … not others. I’m telling you this because participating in the volunteer work really made ME feel good.
One of my co-workers and I went to one of the local shelters and read stories and played with the children for an hour to give the mothers a break. There were nine kids ranging in age from three to seven. Six girls and three boys. On the real, I’m not particularly fond of little kids but I love sharing books and reading to anyone that will listen. And they listened. I read Amazing Grace while one of the little ones sat on my lap
If you don’t know the story it’s about a little girl who wants to play Peter Pan in the school play. One of her classmates tells her that she can’t because she’s a girl and another one says she can’t because she’s Black. Grace was sad at first but than her mother and grandmother encouraged her and told her that there wasn't anything that she couldn’t do. Of course, Grace got the part. It's a great story that I enjoyed reading to my daughter so many years ago and I enjoyed reading it again last night.
Then my co-worker read a story about a king that wouldn’t get out of the bathtub. I can’t remember the name of the book but it was funny and the illustrations were beautiful. He recruited some of the boys to help him with the sound effects in the book.
It was a good evening. It struck me that even though these kids were living in this shelter … whatever circumstances that brought them there didn’t seem to affect their ability to have fun. That gave me pause. I told you in an earlier post how I was depressed and sat on my couch for two weeks. I guarantee what I was going through couldn’t compare to what those kids and their mothers were going through. I don't know, it just made me think …
After the stories, the girls played dress up and the boys built buildings with blocks and then ran them over with trucks. It’s been a long time since I sat on the floor and played with little kids. It was good to escape my everyday routine and do something for someone other than myself.
5 comments:
It does feel good to help other people.
I will be doing my first Habitat for Humanity project tomorrow. I hope to make it an on-going service project for me.
Wow that sounds like fun. Volunteering really does make you feel good, and when you do something that you like (reading) it's even better.
I really haven't volunteered lately and I blame it on my schedule, but I'm sure I could find something.
I enjoy giving of myself...when I have time! I donate to the batter women's shelter in our area But I have yet to volunteer my time. I also want Babe to have a giving spirit...right now her little 8 year old behind is a tad bit selfish though she tries real hard not to be...LOL I am going to check into being able to read to the kids. I would LOVE to do this! LOVE
it's a very humbling experience to give to those less fortunate..we are all connected by a thread and roles could quickly be reversed... that was a beautiful thing you did..
i'm sure the mamas appreciated it
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