Check the box

As I sat in the warmth of my home, lights on, TV and internet feeding us coverage of Super Storm Sandy, I thought what can I do to help? Looking fresh from a hot shower I looked around my apartment to the extra people we had staying with us and thought, "Oh I am doing something, I have sheltered a family", so "check the box" and order take out and let your (power) guilt subside.

• Did I feel fortunate and lucky? check, check
• Did it bother me that so many so close were still without power? Big Check
• Did it bother me that people were cold, tired and hungry? BIGGER CHECK
• Did it bother me that my daughter's school only raised 11K for the school secretary who lost her entire house in the Rockaways? Cheapskate check
• Did I think how could I help, all my time away from work is spent with my children? Guilty Check
• Did I read an inspirational email from a coworker who volunteered a day and made a difference in an 80 year old couple's life. INSPIRATIONAL CHECK
• Did I rally my peeps in the spirit of Thanksgiving and this holiday season to give it true meaning. Boy does it feel Good Check

So we checked a mental box to feel better about ourselves, but what we could not help checking was the difference we made in a stranger's life. We started the day as seven wanna be do gooders, and we succeeded in doing good. We succeeded in clearing out a water logged basement that would make a horder proud. We succeeded in giving hope to a stranger who had hope swept out to sea. Dennis, barely knew our names, but he bear hugged us like family.

Photographer: Mugsy

These Days

 My dream has come true during these days.


"These Days Are...."

the ones I haven't worried about Mom and Dad, because they have been with us....

AND, Wow do I love it,





"These are the days, ohh

 
These are days, you'll remember Never before and never since, I promise Will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it
You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky It's true that you are touched by something That will grow and bloom in you
These are days, you'll remember 

When may is rushing over you with desire To be part of the miracles you see in every hour

 
You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky It's true that you are touched by something 
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days
These are the days you might fill with laughter until' you break  
These days you might feel a shaft of light make it's way across your face  
When you do you'll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning 
It's true, you'll know how it was meant to be 
Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you, to you

Thank you Sandy

Thank you for These Days.