Giving of ourselves is a culture that we embrace around our house.

My husband, Jay, learned it early on when he moved furniture and tended the yard of an elderly couple who in turn treated him with snacks and conversation.  The friendship that was formed lasted through the death of the husband and more recently, the passing of Evie, the wife.  One of the rare occasions I’ve seen Jay cry.  This experience led him to create a volunteer ministry while in college, become a cub scout master, and ultimately as his career in working for TheCommon.org.

I grew up as the recipient of other people’s generosity.  We had Christmases where “Santa” did indeed visit our house, only he couldn’t fit down the chimney so the gifts were left in large plastic bags outside of our door.  I know now that “Santa” was likely our church who knew we wouldn’t have anything else under the tree so they made the delivery late Christmas Eve.  Always plagued by never ending used car repairs, I remember the day my mom picked me up from school {a VERY rare thing} in an almost brand new car that someone at the church had given her.  Rather than feeling like the recipient of a handout, it seemed more like taking a deep breath… space to dream that anything was possible.  Right or wrong, as a child I felt the weight of the world being lifted.

This evening has been spent tying loose ends for our trip to Port-au-Prince in a few days.  Looking back over the journey to get to this point, it really started in that backyard and under a Christmas tree long ago.  Learning to care for people and be cared for starts when we’re young.  Ethan, at seven years old, knows that dad’s job is to help people help other people.  Those values are being reinforced in Cub Scouts on numerous service opportunities. He knows why I go to the hospital to photograph babies who won’t go home.  Ethan and Jay play cards with an elderly man with Asperger’s Syndrome every other week to help keep him company and offer their friendship.  He knows we’re going to Haiti and to him it’s no big deal.  This is what we do.  Often in our brokenness, we take care of each other by getting our hands dirty {<– good read}.

Of course, you don’t have to go to Haiti to be a life changer.  There are so many needs in our backyard.  Outside of donating used clothes at the Salvation Army drop box, it’s hard to know where the tangible needs actually exist.  This is why TheCommon.org is such a powerful tool… it connects those needs with your abilities.  If you: attend church, are a YMCA member, involved with Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, work with a non-profit, part of a community or township board, attend college, work at an office, or simply have a group of friends, then TheCommon.org will be a tremendous asset in developing a culture of caring in you, your family, and your community.

Stories from our extended community… take a few minutes to view this clip.  Then share it.  :)

TheCommon.org – Coffee Shop from Paradox Media Group on Vimeo.