This past year, our little family of four has volunteered with over 40 non-profit organizations in over 20 states. Our very first project was with The Giving Tree in our hometown of Tucson, AZ.
We served a special dessert to the homeless at a weekly gathering called Project F.E.E.D. – yogurt parfaits! We packed 2 plastic tubs of plain mountain high yogurt, a box of granola, a bowl of fresh fruit [diced apples, oranges, bananas, and raspberries], clear plastic party glasses, and plastic spoons. Then, we layered the ingredients, added a dollop of whipped cream, and handed them out.
Re-watching that video takes me back to all of the emotions before we left. A year later, I still believe in volunteerism. I believe that individuals can make a difference. Most importantly, I believe that giving is most powerful when it happens in the context of relationships, not through random acts of kindness.
Today, I celebrate the uncelebrated. The weary mother. The caregiver to the elderly relative. The friend who remembers who you are when you’ve forgotten yourself. The persevering teacher who cares more than 40 hours per week. I salute you – In fact, I’d make you a parfait if I could.
I am participating in a compensated program by Plastics Make it Possible® in partnership with the American Chemistry Council and Ogilvy PR.
While you wait for me to pass into the Land of the Living (aka the Second Trimester), perhaps you’d enjoy entering the 
It was a huge sigh of relief to enter the west coast.
