Tie a Yellow Ribbon...

I tie lots and lots of bows. Red ones, green ones, pink, and glittered. Tonight I tied yellow ribbons around my entire property, and that of my neighbor- mailboxes too. In honor of a fallen soldier- just 28 years old, from my town. I do not know him, I do not know his family- but their grief is our grief. I set out with three spools of ribbon (which being a bow girl, I had on hand), a pair of scissors, and my two sons. I did not anticipate the emotion that would overtake me as one boy held the scissors and the other the ribbon. Standing facing a massive pine tree, creating a double bow, I sobbed. This young man could be any of our sons. Our brother. Our neighbor. I just let the tears fall, as I am sure his family and friends are doing right now- saying goodbye to a true hero. I don't like war- I never will. However, the respect I have for those to chose to serve is mighty. As I tied those bows, I thought of my boys- and with the hope that by the time they are old enough there will be no need for yellow ribbons. Remember, friends, every fallen soldier is OURS. They died to protect me, my children, my freedom.

And I pray with all the hope and joy in my heart that truly, #lovewins.

Eureka! THE MEANING OF LIFE!

Strangely, I can't think of a title yet for this post, because frankly, I don't know what direction I am going with it (by the end I SO had it though!!! It takes time...). I am a total mishmash of mush at the moment, because I had a fantastic day doing the only real thing human beings are put on the earth to do- spreading love and joy. The nuts and bolts? I made a lot of cupcakes to share with a lot of good people. I was lucky to be able to participate in a very peripheral role with Binkeez for Comfort and Peach's Neet Feet's Super Hero party here in Worcester. It was just awesome! PNF is an organization that I have been donating to, and asking friends and family to donate to, over the past two years. (Birthday party for my kids? Please donate instead of gifts- oh, it's YOUR birthday? I'll donate instead of trying to buy you something you don't actually need or already have)! Being able to see Peach present shoes to two young super heroes was pretty darn amazing. Cue waterworks.

Seeing Susan present Binkeez to the mamas who have had to say goodbye to their littles? Mind blowing. Note, there is no picture because I was trying not to sob too loudly and interrupt. This organization is local, and I just met the founder recently, and yet, I feel like I have known her for ages. I can't wait to start sewing for them! What these two organizations do for families and children is pretty much every synonym that exists for fabulous. What really impacts me, however, is the love they do it with. No one is alone in their mission- there are mamas, friends, and families behind them. All of these people are doing it for the right reason- to spread love. I met so many wonderful people today, and they all radiated such joy and appreciation for the moment- I couldn't help but be inspired. We all wore these shirts, and I think it might be my new favorite wardrobe item (my apologies to work- who needs a dress code, right??)

I'm a high energy person- I do a lot of different things, and it wasn't until today that I realized that I don't have to say, "oh, well, I am a teacher, but I also...". There is ONE answer. I spread love- through my teaching every day- through raising my boys to live joyfully and with meaning- through baking and cooking for others- these are all pieces of me. As I snuggle into bed tonight, totally exhausted, I can fall asleep knowing that I am surrounding myself with other good people- who truly understand that you have to live in the moment, and do nothing but add to the world. I feel as if I have struck on the true meaning of live. ADD to the world. DO good. BE loving. APPRECIATE the beauty. If you don't see beauty around you, CREATE IT. 

Please check out these organizations- read their stories- watch the videos- and choose to live every one of YOUR days with love in your heart.