Now that I am finished treatments and life
is supposed to return to normal. I
decided to complicate it again and start a fundraiser with Jennifer.
Vixens Victorious was created by Jennifer
and myself as our way to give back to the community. So far it has been an incredible learning
experience and I am amazed at my drive and determination to make our film
festival fundraiser, Lights! Camera! CURE! a success.
But it has not been easy – There have been
challenges and successes. This is a lot
of hard work - Even more than I anticipated in order to get things moving and
so many little details to consider.
Between my regular job and the fundraiser, I feel like I am working two
full time jobs. There are weeks where I
dedicate 15-17 hours during lunch or evenings to this project. There are sleepless nights, worrying about
how we are going to accomplish everything we set out to do and the little
hamster in my head, spins constantly in its wheel
Our committee is a great group of girls but
I need to constantly remind myself that they have jobs, lives and
families. Although I do push them to
remain accountable for what they have agreed to do and respect deadlines, I
cannot expect them to live, eat and breathe Vixens Victorious. I must admit that I get frustrated because
being a German Virgo, I like to be in control and know exactly what is
happening at all times. Some days, I
wonder if we are taking on too big of a project during our first year and we
should have started with a bake sale.
Last week I received a call from my 8 year
old god daughter and she really put things into perspective for me.
Actually she called the week before and I
missed her call because I was at a meeting.
I tried calling back without success so I emailed her mother to let her
know that I have been very busy but will try to get back in touch soon. He mom replied that Chelsey had something she
wanted to share with me.
The guilt set in and I wished I would have
tried harder to reach her.
Five days later, I called Chelsey as soon
as she got home from school. She wanted
to tell me that she and her friends sold rainbow loom bracelets to raise money
for cancer (research.) Furthermore, I
learned this was her initiative and her parents were not aware of what she was
doing. Her mother wanted to donate the amount to our event, Lights! Camera!
CURE!
I was completely humbled and ashamed. I have been so wrapped up in my own world
that I have begun to lose sight of what the end goal really is: To selflessly
give. Naturally, I want to raise as much
money as possible, but if my contribution is only 1$, then I have still made a
difference (please note I really hope it is more than 1$) An eight year girl took it upon herself to
utilize her talents in making bracelets and sell them to people who wanted to
help. I don’t think she cared who bought
her bracelets or even how much she sold them for. Her action plan was simple and her goal of
just selling bracelets to raise money for a good cause was front row and centre
in her mind.
Furthermore, I delayed getting back to
Chelsey, making her wait to share with me her news
We were raised in a faith based home. Church and Sunday school were part of a
routine for me, as it is for Chelsey.
When I think about our call, and how excited she was to tell me; tears
form in my eyes. I am reminded of a line
in the Christmas hymn; In the Bleak Midwinter
What can I give him, as poor as I am?
If I was a shepherd, I would give a lamb….
Yet what can I give? Give with my heart
I am so proud of her and want to encourage
the spirit of giving in her. If she has
started at 8 years old, what can she do when she is 28 years old or 38 years
old?
Instead of wondering if we took on too big
of a project, I wonder if I possess the right type of leadership skills, to co-
direct with Jennifer a project such as this.
I need to learn patience, humility, determination and more compassion
than what I have. It’s something I need
to work on.
Again this week, I was further encouraged
by my friend Joe. During a conversation
he reminded me how cool it was to be doing something where I am doing something
that doesn’t increase my bank account but in the end should make me grow as
person.
Yeah.
He is right. That is pretty cool and I hope Chelsey follows in her aunti Jen's footsteps
Chelsey and I - Christmas 2013
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