tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post587013399081651499..comments2024-01-10T10:42:35.978-05:00Comments on SweetPotatoClaire: one good thingamandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-44460626531433922742015-03-19T13:44:00.369-04:002015-03-19T13:44:00.369-04:00thank YOU, alexa!thank YOU, alexa!amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-82308256654475222612015-03-19T13:43:06.091-04:002015-03-19T13:43:06.091-04:00aw thanks jenny~
it would seem reflecting on the ...aw thanks jenny~<br /><br />it would seem reflecting on the things that make us feel that way can lead to some pretty strong thoughts and actions- this is just a small part of my work to become more open, less judgmental, feel less need to control things……… ah, self-reflection. how fun ;)amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-16671729829636025392015-03-19T13:41:00.409-04:002015-03-19T13:41:00.409-04:00thank you for your very generous and encouraging w...thank you for your very generous and encouraging words, I really appreciate it.<br /><br />exactly- they are someone's family, they are people. they are important. and, like you said- they MATTER. if we are moved to care about those less fortunate I feel like we have to work to shed our judgements and need to control what they choose to do with the help we give.<br /><br />what a story your coworker shared with you- I bet that had a big impact on you and your feelings around sharing what you have with others.amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-73094987169101690302015-03-19T13:37:25.844-04:002015-03-19T13:37:25.844-04:00I hope the bags find their way to some folks who c...I hope the bags find their way to some folks who can really use them, for sure!amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-29483339820521154152015-03-19T13:36:47.343-04:002015-03-19T13:36:47.343-04:00thank you, Karen~ I hope so. And, to be honest, s...thank you, Karen~ I hope so. And, to be honest, seeing as how I want to lead by example and have ideas of what values I want her to gain from my examples…. well, that in itself inspires me to provide better and more meaningful examples! what a win-win!<br />amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-36080670708182633022015-03-19T13:35:46.196-04:002015-03-19T13:35:46.196-04:00I'm realizing lately that if I'm uncomfort...I'm realizing lately that if I'm uncomfortable about something then that is the most important time to just be full-on honest about it, you know? to make myself feel accountable, to encourage action, to promote self-awareness……… all such tricky but important stuff.<br /><br />and with the sanitizer bit, I could have just gone on and on, adding little captions about each and every thing we put in the bags- it was when I realized I was wanting to do that that I called myself out on it and got to thinking.amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-79691304799534680192015-03-19T13:32:57.129-04:002015-03-19T13:32:57.129-04:00absolutely we have to lead by example. and my gos...absolutely we have to lead by example. and my gosh it can be hard to do sometimes, can't it? what a good idea having the box of bars in the car for such an occasion. amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-60961054576163906572015-03-19T13:31:42.705-04:002015-03-19T13:31:42.705-04:00oh those loop-de-loops!
so glad to have provided ...oh those loop-de-loops! <br />so glad to have provided any inspiration- I certainly was inspired myself from seeing that article pop up on Facebook. (hey- Facebook CAN actually serve a purpose! well, maybe.)amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-53570711704067494462015-03-19T13:30:21.486-04:002015-03-19T13:30:21.486-04:00right here in our little town we really only see s...right here in our little town we really only see someone at the highway exit maybe a couple times a year. In Asheville it's a bit more prevalent and I'm actually not sure what the legislation regarding panhandling in Asheville is. after reading that article it got me thinking and I knew I wanted to be ready to give should I see the need. amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-53221732811003685792015-03-19T13:28:13.640-04:002015-03-19T13:28:13.640-04:00so far we haven't had the opportunity to give ...so far we haven't had the opportunity to give them to anyone… thinking about maybe even leaving them somewhere with a note that says "if you really need this, please take it" or something along those lines.amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-25244423065126776822015-03-19T13:27:23.894-04:002015-03-19T13:27:23.894-04:00moving from helpless sadness to action is EXACTLY ...moving from helpless sadness to action is EXACTLY what I am aiming for- yes!amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-35068453083900038032015-03-19T13:26:46.049-04:002015-03-19T13:26:46.049-04:00I was definitely inspired by that short article- a...I was definitely inspired by that short article- and clearly it made me think. a lot.amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-62392182991775162242015-03-19T13:26:12.405-04:002015-03-19T13:26:12.405-04:00we don't see much of it right here in town- ju...we don't see much of it right here in town- just someone off the highway exit a few times a year maybe. still, the article got me thinking and I decided I wanted to have a little something to give at the ready when we are faced with another's needs.amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481345314712596782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-77009960478764178472015-03-15T23:17:22.294-04:002015-03-15T23:17:22.294-04:00I just love your idea on so many levels. I don...I just love your idea on so many levels. I don't have anything against giving money, but so often I don't have any of the stuff with me. Also, this is so practical, thoughtful and sweet. It totally lets the kids be involved, which is a beautiful beautiful thing. <br />Thank you!!!!alexahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01850244431516712055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-89278307616528297852015-03-13T11:10:46.936-04:002015-03-13T11:10:46.936-04:00amanda... this is beautiful. i know just those fee...amanda... this is beautiful. i know just those feelings you speak of. i have driven past so many times and felt "bad"... you are so right... we wouldn't feel that way if we were doing the right thing. you have inspired me. i want to make a change too. you are amazing friend :)jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603715564588824506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-60952366976213178262015-03-13T10:27:56.602-04:002015-03-13T10:27:56.602-04:00Wow. What a lucky little girl Claire is to have y...Wow. What a lucky little girl Claire is to have you for a mom. I have felt the same problems with panhandlers in Chicago. This would go so far in helping the truly hungry.<br /><br />Years ago when I lived In Louisville, KY I gave a "street person" money. A friend tsk tsked me because there was a soup kitchen less than a mile away and I was encouraging people to panhandle.<br /><br />The argument continued. She was sure the person would buy alcohol ... I said it didn't matter. I would rather risk giving someone money for booze than risk not giving someone money for food.<br /><br />Back at the office the discussion continued. A fellow co-worker took my hand with a tear in her eye and said God bless you Kim. I hope to God that there are many people like you on earth. She then told the story of how her dad suffered from alcoholism for many years. Her mother stuck by him but finally had enough and kicked him out. She recalled the first time she saw him filthy, in the gutter, begging for change ... with tears in her eyes she spoke of the heartbreak.<br /><br />People on the streets are someone's family. They matter. They have to.<br /><br />This is, however, the perfect "gift." You are a fantastic person. It is always a pleasure reading your blog. I hope you continue for a very long time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-61055713405141834502015-03-13T09:58:12.352-04:002015-03-13T09:58:12.352-04:00What a wonderfully thoughtful thing to do - I ima...What a wonderfully thoughtful thing to do - I imagine those on the receiving end are very, very grateful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-10520013547622984952015-03-13T09:29:59.571-04:002015-03-13T09:29:59.571-04:00In our little town I do not see panhandlers but wh...In our little town I do not see panhandlers but when I visit my son in Boston oh my there are so very many. I agree that giving items that they can use is so much better than giving money. Your daughter is learning so much from you :)karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09252685705241032079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-81438944397654325352015-03-12T21:29:49.281-04:002015-03-12T21:29:49.281-04:00this is all very touching, Amanda. I, too have giv...this is all very touching, Amanda. I, too have given food instead of money, I like the idea of providing nourishment and warmth. I appreciate your honesty here, you've beautifully touched on many sensitive points, and I especially connect with your sanitizer rant, " Sometimes, we can't carry the whole of the world on our shoulders when we are simply wanting to do one good thing." I'm glad you added that bit. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-39180813307528790842015-03-12T17:56:37.495-04:002015-03-12T17:56:37.495-04:00We have a similar issue here in Anchorage, Ak with...We have a similar issue here in Anchorage, Ak with a lot of homeless Natives that panhandle. I know a lot of people resist giving them money because of the fear of it just going to alcohol. It actually became illegal to pan handle here recently but it hasn't stopped the problem too much. I always carry a costco sized box of protein bars in my car that I hand out whenever I see a panhandler. I like your idea of person care items, I might try that soon. I really identify with your feeling of how innately wrong it feels to "pretend ignore" someone. I am trying to raise my children with empathy and awareness of what they have, and of those less fortunate. We must lead by example. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571377834582249655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-6679307999504626732015-03-12T15:56:06.525-04:002015-03-12T15:56:06.525-04:00This is such a good idea (and so nice to hear the ...This is such a good idea (and so nice to hear the inside of someone else's head that goes around and around some of the same loop-de-loops my own head travels). We've just recently had the street-corner panhandlers pop up around here (they were temporarily forbidden...which would make those of us in cars with warm beds to go home to feel so much more comfortable...and then that was found unconstitutional). I've taken to handing a dollar out the window, if I have one, and if I'm stopped in the right place. I don't know whether it does anyone any good or not. A dollar is so cheap (especially since I usually see them on my way to the chi-chi natural foods mega grocery store where I'll easily drop $150). I like the bag of stuff idea--things they can eat right away; other things they might need, too; involving your child. Thanks for the inspiration.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748454816480995214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-49535141628134289462015-03-12T14:13:23.864-04:002015-03-12T14:13:23.864-04:00Interesting idea. We do not have panhandlers in o...Interesting idea. We do not have panhandlers in our town (and actually only two homeless people that are well known). I know that they have a lot of them in Asheville and also Portland, ME where we vacation. Portland actually just passed a law making asking for money from the medians illegal. A lot of people did not like that, stating that it is not solving the problem. But it was passed because of the behavior of the panhandlers (being drunk, falling into traffic, getting aggressive) and not the actual asking for money part of it. I think you're doing a great job as a parent by talking to your child about it since it is so visible in your community. (And not just talking, but doing something.)Life With The Crewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05114992794424444796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-88792615179526653832015-03-12T13:56:57.437-04:002015-03-12T13:56:57.437-04:00A great idea. My kids helped put together similar ...A great idea. My kids helped put together similar bags at church, but were not involved with handing them out. Would be nice to have some in our car.Valerienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-68631556097737903902015-03-12T10:16:43.943-04:002015-03-12T10:16:43.943-04:00Wonderful idea! I can get on board with this compl...Wonderful idea! I can get on board with this completely. It is amazing how seeing someone standing on the street corner asking for money affects little ones, mine in particular feels very sad when we see the homeless. What a great way to move from helpless sadness to action. Thanks for sharing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309722443288951322.post-24590522625402403042015-03-12T03:58:02.457-04:002015-03-12T03:58:02.457-04:00What a thought provoking post. Such a lovely thin...What a thought provoking post. Such a lovely thing to do and teaching your daughter a beautiful lesson.mamasmercantilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14011278973985658118noreply@blogger.com