Monday, February 9, 2009
Ready, set, action!
I have realized that the offer "to help" is one of those things that many practice, but few follow up on with action. Over the course of the last week, all sorts of offers of help have come my way related to fundraising efforts for my son. I've received suggestions, ideas, ways to make the fundraisers better/more profitable, etc... but very few have actually followed through on my request to act. "You should do this" ; "let me know how I can help"; "maybe if you tried this..."! Once again, all very "helpful", but these suggestions seem to put all the work back on me. I have resorted to the polite response of, "Oh, that's a great idea! Why don't you look into that and let me know!"
I realize some people TRULY want to help and simply don't know how to do so, but due to my own time issues, I struggle with how to direct these people more effectively. I make suggestions as to what they can do that I think need no further directions: "Well, go hunt down some donations for the silent auction!"; "Network with your circles to drum up interest!"; "Tell others about our efforts and give them information about how to donate!" Yet even with these suggestions I receive: "Well, I'm not sure if I can..."; "Maybe if you called it would mean more..." ; or "Well, I wanted to make sure it would be ok to ..."
YES, it's ok....YES....call, write, promote!
I realize people don't want to step on my toes, and I do know that I need to be "in" on what's happening regarding all fundraising efforts, but at this point, I am looking for true "DOERS!" Those who receive direction and then move on it, simply checking in with me to give me updates on progress. You want to do a bowling fundrasier...ok...DO IT! You want to put the flier in the church bulletin...ok, DO IT! Once we talk and I say that's a great idea...move on it! I need that help. I'm looking for more than the offer to "help"...I want commitment to "act!" I am a person of my word and when I offer "to help" and am given direction to do so, I act. I guess I foolishly expect that in return! Far too many people just go through the motions to appear supportive, polite, concerned...but now is the time I need to see the efforts...I need to feel the commitment...
That said, I am truly grateful to my family and friends that have begun to "act." They have called, networked, promoted, etc. For all of you I am very grateful! And to those of you who have simply moved forward and begun to act on my behalf for Najib's benefit without looking for any recognition, I'd like to say thank you for "doing."
I've talked or at least eluded to some of what is behind this issue for me in previous blogs. I crave AUTHENTICITY in my life! If you say you're a friend, be one! If you say stop by whenever you want, don't be shocked if I come knocking on your door, and if you say you want to help, then as NIKE would put it, JUST DO IT!
I realize some people TRULY want to help and simply don't know how to do so, but due to my own time issues, I struggle with how to direct these people more effectively. I make suggestions as to what they can do that I think need no further directions: "Well, go hunt down some donations for the silent auction!"; "Network with your circles to drum up interest!"; "Tell others about our efforts and give them information about how to donate!" Yet even with these suggestions I receive: "Well, I'm not sure if I can..."; "Maybe if you called it would mean more..." ; or "Well, I wanted to make sure it would be ok to ..."
YES, it's ok....YES....call, write, promote!
I realize people don't want to step on my toes, and I do know that I need to be "in" on what's happening regarding all fundraising efforts, but at this point, I am looking for true "DOERS!" Those who receive direction and then move on it, simply checking in with me to give me updates on progress. You want to do a bowling fundrasier...ok...DO IT! You want to put the flier in the church bulletin...ok, DO IT! Once we talk and I say that's a great idea...move on it! I need that help. I'm looking for more than the offer to "help"...I want commitment to "act!" I am a person of my word and when I offer "to help" and am given direction to do so, I act. I guess I foolishly expect that in return! Far too many people just go through the motions to appear supportive, polite, concerned...but now is the time I need to see the efforts...I need to feel the commitment...
That said, I am truly grateful to my family and friends that have begun to "act." They have called, networked, promoted, etc. For all of you I am very grateful! And to those of you who have simply moved forward and begun to act on my behalf for Najib's benefit without looking for any recognition, I'd like to say thank you for "doing."
I've talked or at least eluded to some of what is behind this issue for me in previous blogs. I crave AUTHENTICITY in my life! If you say you're a friend, be one! If you say stop by whenever you want, don't be shocked if I come knocking on your door, and if you say you want to help, then as NIKE would put it, JUST DO IT!
Monday, February 2, 2009
How a little bit of light can change everything!
So after weeks of bitter cold and gray skies, yesterday we finally saw the sun...and not just for a minute or two, but for the WHOLE day! Not only that, but the temperature actually reached a balmy 40 degrees! In the matter of one day, I have seen and felt a shift in the atmosphere. People are holding their heads high, smiling, joking, laughing. All it took was a slight break from the dreary Michigan weather, and people started acting like spring was around the corner...you know that light-heated, happy feeling that you get when the flowers start to bloom? Well, no flowers here, and we're expecting only 16 degrees for the high on Wednesday, but this short-lived break from the sub-human standards of cold and gloom has allowed many of us to start the week on an up-beat note! That said, I wanted to do an entry today about another bright aspect of my life...my son, Najib.
Najib gave me a great present yesterday. In addition to having a "good" day without a lot of pain and struggle, he gave me something that I think the sunshine brought about as well. (The light affects everyone's disposition!). Najib actually hugged me yesterday...not accidentally either. It was a true, purposeful hug around my neck-- a sign of affection that has left me glowing from the inside out. You see, when you have a child with special needs, few are the moments of real connection, deep understanding, and that certain notion of complicity, but yesterday all of those things came in the form of a hug--a hug...so simple a gesture...so profound the effects!
I am currently in the midst of planning a number of fundraisers for my son. We are taking a trip to China this summer to get him 5 stem cell transplants in the hopes of improving his quality of life. Although very excited and anxious for the trip, I have been a bit tentative lately about the risks and idea of subjecting my son to aggressive procedures. But after that hug, after feeling his arms reach around me to demonstrate his affection, I must say that my anxiety began to melt away! The possibility of these injections working and giving him the ability to be more purposeful in all he does just overwhelms me with hope.
Many people raise one eyebrow when I tell them what we are planning..."China?" they ask..."stem cells...does that procedure kill babies?" they think, but I simply tell them that when someone offers you hope to help your child, there is no limit for your actions. Yes, China. It is far away; we don't speak the language; the country has a bevy of challenges; yet it also has amazing resources and some of the best, cutting-edge medicine around! And no, these stem cells do NOT kill babies. They are taken from umbilical cords at birth, donated to science to help doctors and researchers help others....something that in this country is experimental...controversial...and deemed "unethical" by many! (go to http://www.stemcellschina.com/ for more information about the REAL story and many miracles underway in CHINA)
So, off we go this summer to China, with lots of excitement, some level of anxiety, but most importantly, with boundless amounts hope that our son, our ray of sunshine, can live a full, long, meaningful life.
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