Thinking of more than just turkey

This was the first time in my life that I wasn't with my parents and Jess for Thanksgiving. It was strange, but with each new chapter in life you adjust. Keith, the girls & I spent Thanksgiving up the road at their grandmother's house.
Earlier in the week we managed, yet again, another successful Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Outreach. I am always in awe at the generosity of my fellow workers as we pulled together 32 baskets and a number of extra turkeys that are in 'hiding' in various freezers for Christmas. Thanksgiving has extended beyond turkey and cranberry sauce. What I have come to look forward to is the giving aspect.


To look into the eyes of someone this is struggling (it very easily could be one of us) and know that we have passed on not merely a basket of food, but a message of hope, faith and giving. This journey is not about us, but the message and impact that we leave behind. The few days of assembly were a tad crazy train, but I have come to learn that it all comes together in one way or another.

                  
The night before (of course, did you think I was just going to chill?) I played in the annual Seneca vs Cherokee staff football game. Besides the fact that it was a comfortable 43 degrees, pelting rain and constant winds swooping along the field it was a great game. By the end of the night my entire body was soaked to the bone and I couldn't feel my toes, but it was still a heap of fun. Yay, for good times at Seneca!

After an insane 3.5 days of the week I managed to kick it up a notch of insanity squared. The girls and I headed out a little after nine at night to partake in the pandemonium of Black Friday. Lots of rushing, waiting in lines and aiming for that super good deal that you didn't even know you were looking for. I haven't ventured out in the crazy since high school, but it was definitely an experience. I spent most of my time walking outside stores and searching for a cup of coffee as the kids embraced the BF madness.

I will never retreat...

This weekend marked the sixth annual Drug Squad Retreat. Every year I have anxiety attempting to top the previous year's retreat. Part of me wonders how everything could fall into place as perfectly as it did a year prior. The funny thing is every year brings a new batch of kids, different experiences and an opportunity for some really great things to take place. Six years in and I feel beyond honored to have the opportunity to work, teach and learn from some pretty spectacular kids. 

 

It's amazing what happens when we are removed from our every day obligations and the constant stimuli of the internet, texting and instant messaging. Step away from the crazy and step into the zen. Thirty one kids hopping on a bus from Jersey and spending 3 1/2 days on a farm removed from all reminders of their normal environment create the perfect platform for evoking change.

I spent a good amount of time conveying the importance of accepting people for who they are and attempting to put aside the impulse to judge and make preconceived notions based on surface. How often we are guilty of judging swiftly based upon external factors that are typically determined in a fairly short amount of time. We become judge and jury. 

It's interesting how little we really know about those we surround ourselves with. How common it is for us to talk and how rare it is when one actually takes the time to listen. Pause. Silence. So much can come from accepting the fact that we do not know everything and we can learn from others, even if they're teenagers : ) It turns out that I have learned some of my greatest lessons in my own life working with teens. 

I feel profoundly blessed to work with so many young people who have a desire to make an impact in their daily lives. Kids refusing to settle for just getting by in high school, but instead digging deep and having a vision for others. Out with the selfish and in with the goodness. 

Going beyond ourselves requires taking the time to figure out how we work and what makes us tick. In order to be there for others we have to take time to take care of ourselves. How often we burn the candle at both ends or take on more than we can physically handle (I am guilty of this more often than I like to admit)? In order to be capable of being effective in the lives of others, on a long term basis, we have to place a little more emphasis on 'I' then we are accustomed to. Taking time to clear out the mind and recharge the heart is critical. 

A whole lot of effort, time and emotion went into the weekend. After fifteen hours on a big yellow bus, a heap of time planning, chatting and processing and I can confidently say that it was all so very worth it.  I have come to view the weekend as sacred, as a gift that I consider invaluable. My hope is that this annual tradition will stretch beyond a few days and will carry on into the hearts of these young people throughout the course of their lives. It is, after all, not meant to be contained among the thirty one, but for each of them to pass the baton and inspire their own challenges upon those they encounter for years to come. 

May we all just keep on keeping' on.....

Conventional Goodness

I'm sitting on the couch with only twelve hours until a new week begins. It was, yet again, another successful teachers convention (and there was much rejoicing). I headed down to the farm Wednesday with my car filled to the brim with plates, cutlery, marshmallows and cases of juice gearing up for the retreat. It was a good excuse to have a lighter load for the retreat as well as having time with the family. 

Early Wednesday morning I was checking in with kids on my case load and by night fall I was on top of a hill in the middle of a field milking cows with my Dad & Tristan. It's funny what a few hours can do. As the boys were tending to Betsy I sat on the front step of the barn soaking in the silence, breathing in the evening air and enjoying the beauty of my surroundings. A charcoal black sky sprinkled with stars and a sense of total peace came over me. Tristan's laughter, my father's voice in the background and a spectacular view of God's creation brought a surge of joy to my heart. Goodness...you have to love it. 

So as the night falls and I am back home sitting on the couch with Taylor and Keith taking a little down time to recharge before another week begins. 

It's not always possible to soak in the little moments in life, but when you can it's pretty special. 

Mall Madness

It might be an indication of my age, but a venture to the mall ranks somewhere up there with a trip to the dentist. This afternoon I headed to Cherry Hill with Taylor and her friend for a few hour shopping escapade that landed me smack dab in the middle of mall madness. People were dodging oncoming cars, drivers were weaving in and out of the course of traffic to nab their perfect spot and the level of anxiety could have been cut with a spork (and not even a rusty one).

I had intentions of heading inside and stopping in a few shops, but my thought process was swiftly altered as soon as we pulled into the parking lot. We planned to rendezvous in two hours at the same spot. The kids had fun and were able to find some great things. Seeing the kids smile, being happy and together makes me happy & brings with it a whole lot of joy. I get the fact that the mall, to a teenager, is on the same level as a great day of surf in LBI. Everyone needs their own means of stoke and that comes in many forms.

Driving around I found myself trying to reason as to why there were thousands of cars in the parking lot with people scurrying in every direction. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with shopping or embracing the mall, but it is a pretty interesting thought. Over the years I think a lot of what makes up 'me' has changed a bit. I find myself more comfortable in smaller settings. I prefer strumming my guitar next to the fire pit in the backyard over a Broadway show or fancy restaurant. Watching tv and hearing about the last lavish wedding or event I find myself perturbed at how far that money could have really gone to help pay a mortgage or give a school full of kids a whole year+ of meals. In crowds my mind drifts to who among them is struggling with an addiction, is foreclosing on their home or is being neglected. I realize the past eight years of sitting in a room hearing a whole lot from countless kids has altered everything about me. Sometimes that's a good thing and other times it isn't so good. I have found myself wishing that my head wasn't so heavy and that I could be less anxious. But, I guess if we were all alike the world wouldn't be so interesting now, would it?

Fall Festive-ness

 I'm beginning to believe there is truth behind my Grandma Gert's ongoing reminder that time is fleeting and only kicks up speed as you grow older. Jess and the crew came up for a weekend visit combining Birthday, Halloween and Autumn Festivities. It went quickly.

 Even though I have been in Jersey for the past eight years there are those moments when it's strange being here doing some of the same things I once did some twenty plus years ago. There's a renewed joy experiencing it all through the eyes of little ones. From the Halloween Parade watching Tristan (and yes, I will admit I was an accomplice) lunge for candy, examining the patch for the perfect pumpkin to nibbling on freshly baked cider donuts it is all a whole new experience when the little dudes are involved. I felt officially old rehashing memories of the days of Jess, their E and Shana. Lots of history in the 08055 for this 34 year old. Plenty of great, rich memories that quite often leave me speechless at the thought of how full my life has been.

It was also wonderful having some great catch up time with Jess and Carrie. We headed to Belmar and it was a blast having some down time with Carrie's kids, Tristan, Gabe, Jess & my Dad. No matter how much time lapses between seeing Carrie & Jess, as soon as we're together it's like we never parted ways. There's something pretty awesome about friendships where time stands still and the love, history and dependability is always there. Gotta love my girls : )

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