What would you do to help another?

There are millions of ways people help. People donate time and money. People protest, speak to legislators, advocate, teach, learn, work, grow and reflect.

One of my 50 things is to really consider what would I be willing to do for another. Donate stem cells? A kidney? Foster children?

When discussing this with a friend, the friend said, "Well, don't you do that for a living?" Which is true. I do advocate for others. I volunteer, teach, learn and grow daily. But those things are normal. Those things are part of who I am. Those things are not on my list. My list is personal. During this decade I want to seriously consider what, if anything, I would be do for another human being that I was not necessarily 100% comfortable with, but would benefit someone else...something the other needed.

I told myself, when making the list, that I wanted to consider what I would be willing to do to help another. I don't have to do it. If the answer to myself is "no, I'm really not willing to do that," or "no, I really don't want to do that," I would be fine, as long as I really considered it.

I've thought of various scenarios. So far, the answer has been "no." Today, I am giving myself 4 weeks to consider a new one.

another new thing

This can be crossed off my list.

the feet of a newborn

I have now been back stateside as long as I was in Spain. My muscles have healed, my bruises have faded, and my feet have peeled, much to the horror of a nail technician or two.

In the past three weeks I have continued my frenetic pace. Like many people, I have family and friends I see annually, at best. There have been joys; Traverrse City,

Chicago, Art Fairs, Flea Markets,  repurposed clothes, friends named Sara,

Concerts - Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, American English,

Baseball, Golf, a Fish Fry, a visit with my Dough Daddy's Dinky Donuts friends, several outings to Peet's, and even a chance to be back at work full time.

There have been sorrows in my community; hospitalized pets and spouses, a fire, car accidents, and deaths. It is rare that I get a message from my sister that says, "I need you to call me right now." It is even more rare when my cell phone rings and my dad's name pops up. That's the kind of week it's been. Loss and celebration. Loss and celebration.

With any luck the losses will slow and the celebrations will take over. Weddings, showers, birthdays, births, and the start of football/band season. That's how I intend on spending the next few weeks.