Fall

Its fall again and I am reminded of all the reasons I love it. The clean crisp air, the hot soy cinnamon honey lattes, the diving into slow and sentimental novels, and of course the clothes. I feel responsible for these indulgences though, which I confess are regular. So I must also say that while we (who are so lucky) are sitting in coffee shop windows sipping $5 lattes waxing on about how annoying christmas crowds can be, we ought also to remember the many luxuries life has afforded us however slight or routine they may be. Furthermore I would personally like to challenge you, as I am, to be aware of those who live with and around us who have far less. We are most certainly coming upon a season of giving, but as we give and exchange with folks who have so much I wonder if we could try to be more brave. Find an individual or a family that you know could use some help putting a decent holiday meal on the table and offer to provide. There are so many opportunities right inside our own communities.

When I was kid my mom was a single parent of three. Naturally the holiday season was a time of concern for her. She worked by day, momed by night and schooled on the weekends. We never missed a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast, but there were years we nearly did, if not for the bravery of our mom and a few members of our community. When I was older she told me that she was never too proud to ask our church for a little help now and again. And they did help. I remember a stranger delivering a large plastic bag full of wrapped toys to our home the night before christmas. I remember knocks at the door every evening when she was recovering from ovarian cancer, there were casseroles of every shape and kind brought to us warm with sides of geen beans, salad, rolls or whatever else. And the thing about my mom is that years and years later, accomplished with an RN, bachelor's degree, husband, house, dogs, kids and a grand baby, she's still paying it back, every chance she gets. She's fearless too, she'll risk any amount of awkwardness (actually I'm fairly certain she's immune to the feeling) to extend grace and generosity to the marginalized the hopeless the humbled and the poor. This is the kind of bravery and awareness I'm talking about. Not everyone is willing to ask for help but if you're sensitive to the needs of your neighbors you might find an avenue of service right next to you. Or if you really cant think of anyone there are soup kitchens, churches and cold weather shelters in your OWN TOWN or very near by that are looking for a volunteer just like you. One of the wonderful byproducts of service to others is that it makes you feel awesome too. It's funny how that works. I guess the hope is that one can practice a lifestyle of care for others and in so doing be making a better community and self.

Don't get me wrong, I love my daily dose of Augie's coffee and I just posed for Nectar Clothing's online site for a second time and took home some fabulous fall fashion. All I'm saying is that I think we should temper our fast paced individual pursuit of greatness with a healthy dose of reality. Reality that exists everywhere and here and now. And we should push ourselves as often as possible to give. Thank you. Amen.