Road Trip for 48.95 hours...

Weekends are typically quick, but this one had to take the cake. Friday a little before midnight I hopped in my car & headed to Va with Collin, a family friend, keeping me company. We rolled into Faith Farm around 5:30 am. Shortly after stretching and taking in the fresh country air we were off. Collin was with my Dad doing work around the field for the day & I headed to the Richmond Market with Mom, Jess, Gabe & Tristan. 

It was a perfect day with not a cloud in the sky. The market was hopping as people seemed anxious to take advantage of the spring weather buying local fresh vegetables, eggs & meats. There was a definite buzz in the air & I love having the opportunity to be a part of something that my parents created with their own two hands. It is beyond impressive &  being able to jump right into the thick of things is always a cool experience. 

Mid-afternoon Saturday the sun was in full force as we returned from Richmond & headed out to lend a hand with rotating pasture area for the chickens & ducks. Every now & then I would stop to take in the beauty that surrounded us. With a tremendous amount of work my parents have transported 95 acres into a true haven of beauty & serenity. The work seems endless, but there is something that calms the spirit as you walk the fields. 

Collin & I hit the road at 6 am this morning & it's going to take a few days for me to catch back up to speed. But it, as always, was worth it just to have those 48.95 hours with the family. You can never turn the clock back & just having a few days to savor with my favorite people is invaluable. I feel profoundly blessed to have a family that enhances my life & continually challenges me to dig deeper & gain a clearer focus to become a better person. 

Making a habit out of Habitat'in

There's a whole lot of ways to get a 'high' out of life. For me there's nothing quite as epic as getting your hands dirty & getting plugged into a project that makes someone else's life a little bit brighter. I've been involved in many types of community projects over the years, but have yet to have an opportunity to work on a Habitat for Humanity project. 

My friend Janet, myself and six kids from Young Life & old school Seneca alumni / family friends rolled into Philly on Saturday morning. The project we were involved with was a house on Gratz Street (a few blocks from Temple) that needed some serious tlc. Our task for the day was to install installation into the ceiling. We broke into groups and had a day filled with wobbly ladders, off tune singers & some very sticky installation glue. It was one of the best volunteer experiences I've ever had and will remember for a very long time. I was in awe of the hearts of the young people on our project - so willing & eager to jump right into the thick of things and not one complaint all day. There's nothing like being in the presence of positive peeps. 

My hands and arms still look like I may be plagued with leprosy, but I'm diggin it. As we propped & manipulated a whole bunch of instillation on the rafters I couldn't help but smile thinking that in the next few months a family would be where we were working. How absolutely awesome is that? 

Weekend Del Madre

There are different times of the year that there is a part of me that feels guilty for living so far from my family. With Mother's Day a card and a phone call always seems so inadequate a gesture to someone who gave me life and whom I also consider to be my best friend. I wanted nothing more to spend the weekend sitting on the porch in a rocking chair chatting with my mom and celebrating her on the 'Dia de madre.' But as life and obligation would have it, that wasn't possible. But in our separation over the years what has been a tremendous blessing is the re-defining and expounding of the meaning of 'family'.  

I am blessed to have those that might not be blood relation, but people I adore and love greatly. And although mom was six hours due south there were others that I was able to 

re-connect and gain a deeper perspective on family, love and valuing those you care for. 

On Mother's Day I was not out with the herd catching brunch or barbecuing, but worked a gig in Philly feeding a little under 100 homeless folk in West Philly. I headed out with a small group and it was a blessing to be able to serve people who have hit a hard patch in life and just need a little extra encouragement and a decent meal to lift their spirits, even if for a short period of time. There really is nothing like paying it forward... 

Runnin' the race

 This weekend marked the 11th annual Precious Gems 'For Our Girls' Fun Run/ Walk which was held at Seneca. As my mom, Tristan & I drove towards Tabernacle it seemed the skies grew darker and the droplets fell more frequently. I was truly humbled by over 30 students & alumni who showed up in the rain to volunteer at 7:30 in the morning when they could have been in bed. In light of this being pretty emotionally challenging for me to tackle, it is the people I come in contact with through this event that make it all the richer and so very worth it. 

Even with the weather we had over 300 participants. As the race was set to begin the rain came to a stop and the skies began to clear. In the end, it was another successful year that paid off. Right now, it looks as though nearly $9,000 was raised which all goes towards prevention programs at Seneca & Shawnee High Schools. 

The weekend flew by, but having time to hang out with friends and family was a perk. Tristan & my mom were in town until Monday. Although I've had a bout of the flu, it was still a joy being with my favorite little dude. Tristan was stoked to ride the train with his mom-mom and hit the open road. I do believe we have a future couch surfer on our hands....