Over the past years of my life I have always believed I have made choices that had purpose yet I have not been one to put myself out to any charitable cause in the last 28 years.
I think the last time I tried to be selflessly charitable I was nine years old and walked in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, which by my own admission was only because my then best friends in Mrs. Gilpin's 4th grade class said we would do it together. So eagerly I went out and solicited sponsors.
Now on the morning of the walk NONE, I repeat NONE of my friends showed up, so I had to walk alone. Not cool. I did not own a pair of tennis shoes so I had to start the walk in little white sandals. My dad had said he would meet me en route and bring me a pair of tennis shoes...................I had six miles to walk. I can't remember the mile marker that my dad found me to give me new tennis shoes; I just know I remember limping and feeling like my feet had exploded and the brand new tennis shoes were unforgiving to my already swollen feet and the pain I was feeling earlier in the day was 100X greater.
I believe I crossed the finish line at about 4.30 PM that day (the race started at like 8am). I was one of the last people. I did not even get the award for walking because the kiosk had already been broken down. But I made it. I honored the purpose driven commitment I had made to finish and I felt good. Real good. My dad was proud. I was proud.
So here I am 28 years later finding a purpose to participate again. Why? I am not really sure what sparked the enthusiasm. I have been enthusiastic before and given money to APLA many times. Giving money is easy (even when you don't have much to give). You rationalize it by saying I will pay less on a credit card so I can donate some money. You write a check and pop it in the mail. Done, and you feel good.....but not real good, not 9 years old good.
You see, many people I know have been diagnosed with cancer or they have had friends die of cancer and we all go through the sadness with them, nothing you can say ever seems full enough to help ease what they are going through and you never really feel like it was enough.
NOW - I could easily again write a check in the name of my theater company (The Elephant Theatre) who is also championing this cause OR I could be a member of our team and put in some effort and physically be present to support and raise money to help research a cure.
I chose to be a part of it and it felt good, real good, nine years old good.
The monotony of our lives tends to take over and we robotically go through life in the same habitual patterns. We think we have purpose, to our family, to our jobs, to ourselves but there is always a bigger purpose when you step outside of your circle and STOP.
I am stepping outside my circle and I am proud to support the Revlon Run/Walk for Women. I feel that I am doing this not only for myself but for my friend Olive who has faced cancer 2X and won or for my friend Tracy who lost her best friend to cancer or to a dear old friend Maureen who has just recently had a double mastectomy and I can not tell her how sorry I am because we have lost touch. You see purpose isn't about what you can easily do for yourself it's about what you can do in honor of others when it has nothing to do with yourself at all.
I have tennis shoes now. I only have to walk 1/2 the distance I did when I was nine and I have a whole team of friends I know will be there as a team to do this together.
May 12th = I am so excited to be 9 years old again.
To Contribute to my efforts please click on the link below. All donations are 100% tax deductable.
No comments:
Post a Comment