I know November is the month of being thankful,
but don’t you sometimes think being thankful is overrated?
Or, is it?
Recently my son and
I were sharing memories (he is 20-something) and I said, “Remember when we did
this or went there?” Interestingly, many
things he did not remember, and he sheepishly apologized. However, he said he was thankful for the
experiences because he knew each one was instrumental in making him who he is
today. “YES!” I said.
I have been
mentoring a young teen for more than a year and trying to provide her with new
life experiences - positive, healthy, confidence building experiences - the
kind that many kids might not even consider something to be thankful for. It has been a privilege to be part of her
life in this way, and it has also been an eye opener.
Kids Five & Over
has provided funds so this young teen can participate in extra curricular
opportunities that help her grow in all the right kinds of ways, and I’ve been able
to see how these opportunities are shaping the young woman she is becoming (even
if she won’t remember each and every one of them 20 years from now.)
A few weeks ago I was watching an episode of
House Hunters (because I'm an HGTV House Hunters addict) and my K50 teen
was with me. I don’t typically watch ‘my
addiction’ when she is with me, but we knew one of the realtors showing the houses
so screen time was a must.
On this particular episode, a young couple was looking
for their first home. He wanted modern, private and a man-cave; she
wanted vintage and charm. As this young couple perused three homes they picked
apart each option…
· Only
one sink in the master bath (How would we get ready in the morning?)
· One
mismatched appliance in the kitchen (Need to be changed immediately)
· No
his and her closets (I need a closet just for my shoes!)
· Unable
to twirl in the closet without touching sides (I’d feel so closed in)
· Laminate
flooring (We must have hardwood)
· Too
close to neighbors (They could look right in my window)
All of a sudden this teen looks at me and says "Really, can't they just be thankful for a house? Sheesh!"
Flashback to Father’s Day last June and the
card she made for her stepdad. It read,
Happy
Father’s Day!
If it weren’t for you we’d be homeless like
mom.
Do I think being thankful is overrated? Absolutely not. I think being thankful is often overlooked. It is so easy to take things for granted.
Do you want to know what I am thankful for this
November?
People like you.
Yes, YOU!!
Because of your donations to Kids Five &Over, this child watching House Hunters with me has been able to participate in
gymnastic classes; ski club; summer camp; basketball league; yoga class and is
now taking flute lessons.
And guess how many of these activities this
child would have participated in without your donations?
NONE. That is right … nada.
There usually isn’t enough money at the end of
the month for the basic staples, like milk and bread.
And what would this young girl be doing if not
participating in these activities? Probably sitting in the living room watching
videos with her three siblings (they don’t have cable) or running around in a
neighborhood that unfortunately shows up too often in the local police log.
And yet this child is so upbeat, personable,
polite, and has such a zest for life that you would have no idea of the
circumstances that surround her. The only thing I can complain about
this young woman is that she doesn’t love chocolate. REALLY? Who
doesn’t love chocolate?!
One of our goals at Kids Five & Over is to
find children like this - kids who have a spark, a dream, a belief that they
can do anything - but the finances are just not there to support
their dreams. And our goal is that once we find them, we hold on to them
and continue to support, nurture and finance their dreams. In many
instances we collaborate with other agencies and co-fund activities. As a
member of this Board, we so often say, “It takes a village”. And, you
know what? You can be part of this village.
What might your donation buy?
$20 – A flute lesson
$20 – Participation in basketball league
$40 – A baseball clinic
$40 – Sneakers to play basketball (We ensure
when we sponsor a child that they are fully equipped with whatever they might
need to participate in the program)
$100 – Digital Art Classes
$250 – A membership in the school’s ski club
$500 – The opportunity to participate on a
gymnastic competition team
$1000 – Oh, my!
The most important thing to remember is that every dollar counts. When resources are pooled for a greater good,
funds add up quickly. Your donation, no
matter the amount, will help us in our goal of sponsoring all deserving
children who apply.
November is the month of being thankful –
not for trey ceilings, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances or two
sinks in the master bath. November is the month to be thankful for what we can
do for others.
Being thankful is not over-rated. Being thankful is what grows character.
Being thankful is what I am for YOU.
