Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday -- and it has been a really amazing day. Of course the fact that my father, who has been in the hospital since mid-March, is getting better was a huge gift. But this experiment has made me realize how many people are both available and willing to help if only we make the effort to ask.

As you know, the point of this blog and experiment has been to pay attention to how much food we waste, bring awareness of the families who struggle to survive and to also bring awareness of the agencies that help. Today, I am adding a fourth point to the value of this experiment -- and that is the value of asking for help. We all need help sometimes. Why are we so afraid to ask?

Last week, a friend of mine from jr. high, who now lives in LA, sent me a Facebook message that if I still lived in LA he'd have me over to dinner several times a week. It was a lovely gesture from a lovely man. Two states away, I won't be having dinner with David during this experiment -- but his offer serves as a valuable reminder of the millions of people who are happy to help when they see a need.

Because I knew I would be doing this experiment, I told my family that I didn't need "knick-knacks and things" for my birthday this year. And they listened. My mom filled my planters with fresh dirt and flowers -- and she made me breakfast. She drove over to my place with a bag of groceries, and made me breakfast in my kitchen before I went to Palm Sunday services. It was an amazing gift of her time, her love, her fantastic cooking -- and it confirmed to me that when we share our needs with others, they do listen and they do help as they can. What gets us into trouble is when we don't share and we expect others to read our minds.

My aunt and uncle brought a cake (lemon -- my favorite!) by my place to celebrate my birthday with me, my mom, sister and of course them. The cake was awesome and Mom took a small piece back to the hospital to share with Dad.

It's Day Five of the No Food Shopping Experiment... and I am loving this. I am learning to use what I have, ask for what I need, and express genuine gratitude for all the lovely people in my life who (like me) do wish to make a meaningful difference.

I don't really miss eating out. I don't miss the convenience of running to the store because "nothing looks good in my cupboard." Many people do not have the option of having a pantry, even a small one. How successful we feel is closely related to how much gratitude lives within our hearts.

If you can spare $1 or $5 today... please donate to your local food bank, soup kitchen or mission. Your spare change can make a world of difference to a family that is hungry and in need. Then, take a minute to add a comment about a favorite charity of yours that helps others. You may just bring awareness to someone who shares a passion to help. Their dollars combined with yours will help that many more people.