I've gotten so far behind in blogging about giving that I was tempted to just give up! Instead of giving up, I made a deal with myself. I'll just post short things for the days I can remember what I …

[Wizegie]

I've gotten so far behind in blogging about giving that I was tempted to just give up! Instead of giving up, I made a deal with myself. I'll just post short things for the days I can remember what I gave. No need to tell a long involved story!

 

I'm not even sure what day I'm on now and the internet is working slow, so I'm not going to figure it out at the moment. A bulleted list should do, no?

 

• Started an organization with 3 friends who have Lyme. I am on the west coast, one of us is on the East Coast and one of us is in the middle! We are starting Hands for Holding Hearts, which will give mostly emotional support and love to people and families struggling with Lyme disease, by being in contact with them and through care packages. It's time consuming so this was my giving for a few days straight!
• Bought a homeless man coffee at Peet's. He had gone up to the barista and said, "I'd like a small coffee but I don't know if I have enough." It was clearly his way of asking for some leeway so he could get coffee with what he had, but the barista just said, "Ok, well tell me if you have enough." So he stood back and looked kind of bashful and dipped his head real close to his hand and pretended to be counting his change. I asked him if I could get him something and he tried to say no. He would not say yes until I assured him it was my pleasure, and he tried to give me his 85 cents. I asked if I could get him a large, but he would only take a small. So I went to the register to get him a small coffee, but the same barista who had not been willing to help him out previously, had heard our conversation and had poured him a medium. So, I bought him a small and he got a medium. My act of giving inspired an immediate change in someone else's willingness to give. In that, the experience was a gift to me. Also, his smile was a gift to me. It was reminiscent of the way a 4-year-old smiles when he/she is feeling pure joy in life.
• A friend who works a lot, yet does not have much money, would like to be able to shift her schedule so that she has more time to spend with her 4-year-old nephew and 7-year-old niece. She works at a bike shop and does massage at a salon. She's been getting a bit of massage business outside of the salon, which pays more. So, I offered to make her a website to help her get more clients for her personal business. She accepted and so I'm going to do that!

And...that's all I remember! I guess my bulleted list is not that brief. It seems I'm not capable of brevity. Oh well! ;-)

[Toni]

Running short on time, but was thinking about you.  Read your post, and loved it....as usual.  Have a GREAT weekend!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Your site is beautiful~ Love the home page design!

[Christi U.]

Blogging always helped me keep focused, but it doesn't look like you have that problem. Just keep giving and we'll enjoy the stories whenever you get around to telling them.

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Aww~ You rock Wizegie~ The group you have started will help so many. I admire you for doing that. That circle at work again. Good luck with that! The gift of coffee and the willingness of the barista to help melts my heart~ :o) See me smiling! I love it~ Your help with the website is a generous gift. I wish her well and I send you lots of hugs for all these lovely gifts and cuz I just love you! xoxo

[Lois55 wwt]

Wow, what a powerful blog! You are doing so much for so many, making a difference in several lives. I am so happy for you that you are organizing a support system, i believe this challenge has helped form this idea...you will make a difference everyday with this great idea. And i know the new website for your friend will help her business tremendously! The give to the homeless man touched my heart especially then the barista showed compassion, too.

Have a great day, you are a special special person, and I am so glad i have met you!! xoxoxo