Make a Difference

Perhaps I was having a bad day. Perhaps I was frustrated with the same questions, the same concerns that weigh on the minds of many of us from time to time, having to also weigh on the mind of my seven year old. Perhaps I was tired of him asking the same questions over and over again that I have no answers to. Whatever the reason, when he asked his question this time I launched into a long monoluge, my voice increasing in pitch, about how people try to change things, great efforts are made, hard work is done, backs and hearts fully put into things, and yet sometimes it just doesn't seem to make a difference.

He sat and listened intently, though he's heard it all before from me, he waited for me to finally stop talking (ranting) and take my usual deep sigh, and then he stood up, embraced me, and in a calm and soothing voice said:

"It's all right mama, I will make a difference"

That took my breath away. Made me stop and think.

I have a t-shirt in my drawer which reads, "Be the change you wish to see in the world"... we all try to live our lives with compassion and respect for each other and this wonderous planet we live on, we do the right things...we recycle cans and cardboard (even though no one is buying recyclables as much as they used to...our local recycling center has to pay to have glass picked up), we look into alternative energy for heating our homes and powering our cars, we buy local, or if not then free trade products... but how often to be have the courage of our convictions to stand up and say "I will make a difference"? Not, I will *try* to do something that brings change, but to say it like we mean it, in honesty and pure purpose, I *will* make a difference.

I will never forget that moment, the tone of his voice, the way he hugged me, the wisdom he seemed to possess at this still tender age ... but maybe we all need reminders to be confident enough to make such grand statements.

So I put it on t-shirts and buttons and magnets and coffee cups and postcards over at http://www.cafepress.com/iwill and to be true to the statement, begining February 1st, all of the profits from the shop will be given to a different group or cause randomly choosen by my son each month. I will post what he has choosen from the hat here, and welcome your suggestions.

I will make a difference,

Dawnella

Whole World

Hey, it's been a while since I "blogged" anything!!

I'm going to be doing a bunch of events around the "Friends of Live Earth" bash on July 7th...here's my book reading et cetera schedule, and if you click on the Whole World highlighted link thingy in the subject here, (or on the highlighted "heres" in each paragraph below) you'll find more links to learn more about the whole shindig!

Peace, Dawnella

June 23rd: Flye Point Music Fest,Brooklin Mothers Moon will not have a booth this year, but The Barefoot Storyteller will be found "roving" the grounds, and perhaps under an umbrella or at the Bay School tent...special reading of the Barefoot Book "The Whole World" by Fred Penner. Please read more here

June 28th: Mothers Moon/The Barefoot Storyteller storytime 11am at The Blessed Baby Boutique, 346 Main Street Wilton. Special reading of the Barefoot Book "The Whole World" by Fred Penner, with green activities for kids to follow. Please read more here You will also have a chance to orders books on that day, available to be picked up there at Blessed Baby. The last Thursday of every month at 11am is storytime with the Barefoot Storyteller at The Blessed Baby Boutique,Wilton

July 5th: Mothers Moon/The Barefoot Storyteller storytime 1:30pm at the Waterville Public Library 73 Elm Street, Waterville. Special reading of the Barefoot Book "The Whole World" by Fred Penner, with green activities for kids to follow. Please read more here The first Thursday of every month at 1:30pm is storytime with the Barefoot Storyteller at the Waterville Public Library

July 7th: Green Earth, Green Future Go Green, go Barefoot with a special reading of "The Whole World" by Fred Penner, green activities for kids and adults, Barefoot Books on sale, and special opportunites to donate to earth-wise causes. Back Door to the Moon 24 Lithgow Street, Winslow. This is a "Friends of Live Earth" Event. Please read more here

July 28th: WERU's Full Circle Fair, Blue Hill Mothers Moon will not have a booth this year, but The Barefoot Storyteller will be found "roving" the grounds, and in the Children's Area from time to time. Activities to include a special reading of the Barefoot Book "The Whole World" by Fred Penner, with green activities for kids to follow, including a "Go Green" Parade. This is a "Friends of Live Earth" Event. Please read more here (a schedule will be posted in the Children's Area that day)