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Monday, April 19, 2010

Distilled Moments

by Lynnd

Sometimes it seems that we are so caught up in life that we just don't have or take the time to notice or savor little gifts that are handed to us. I have been having a moment all this week and have been pondering why it has made me so happy and why I feel such soul satisfying joy from it? It has taken me a few day to let it seep and distill down and really appreciate what it all means to me.

This last week some of you may have noticed a status post from me on Facebook. I posted that our food bank had received a brand new still in the box, frost free, upright freezer. I was doing a happy dance like you would not believe. We were all excited and beaming, not just me. The food bank has had much support from people over the 5 years we have been in existence but this really sent us into happy over load. Why? Well I really had to think about this and live the moments over in my mind. I think it really hit when I got teary eyed that night at home, and my husband looked at me and said "Hey it's a freezer", like geez yes, that is nice but get over it! So I shared the information below with him and he finally got it! I hope you do too.

We received this freezer from Thurston County food bank who is our lead agency. Someone donated two freezers to them and they thought to call us to see if we could use the other one. Well of course we said YES! What most people including my husband don't realize is that everything we have to run the food bank has been donated, and about 90 percent of that is used. Oh we have some new shelving units but appliances second or third hand used in many cases. We have been thrilled over the years to get these items as they helped start this food bank and kept the doors open. We have duct tapped, bubble gummed and twist tied so many things together that it is just what we do. I remember when we got our Walk in freezer and refrigeration unit we had all of this joy then, though it was headache to get it here from the midwest and then it had to be put together by great volunteers with no instructions and lots of prayers, as it was used too. It was the only one we could find that was even close to the money amount of the grant we received to get one. Even with all of that we had to come up with another 1,000 dollars to have it shipped to us. When it was finally put together and hooked up we still needed another hundred dollars to finish the wiring for it. That hundred dollars came from a few volunteers so we could get the sucker up and running as we were on a deadline.

So this was something that was brand new no cost to us or the food bank and boy we were gathered to enjoy it. It came on a truck with a food delivery we were waiting for and we had many of our volunteers on hand to help off load the truck. We even had 4 high school students there to help. The work study teacher was more than happy to have them volunteer for us that day as we were all hands on deck, this was a huge delivery. We got busy and unloaded the food first and had it put away and in it's place. Then the big guys we called took out the old upright and hauled it outside for us ( yes it still worked and it went to a clients family that needed one), finally off the truck came the new freezer! They got it to the doorway and it wouldn't fit.....but it only needed the packing box and materials removed to make this work. 

Now here is when I think I realized what a real gift this was. One of the students from the high school piped up and asked if they could have the cardboard box? We all turned to her and she looked at us and said "What? Appliance boxes are so cool!" Well we all looked at each other, several generations from 65 to 17, and we all got these knowing smiles on our faces and the memories started to flow. Everyone talking about the joys of a big cardboard box. Play houses, kool aide stands, and forts featured prominently in these memories, yes cardboard boxes are cool! She wanted it to take to the kids in the preschool program at the high school.  It struck me that maybe in this crazy world we just over analyze or get bogged down in the crazy that is our world today, but really some of the old innocence is still there when this wonderful girl from a much younger generation was passing along imagination and wonder in the form of a cardboard box from a freezer that was donated to a food bank. So we only cut one seam so she could take the box with her to duct tape and use to her hearts desire. Really looking back the guys really treated this like a ceremony celebrating that innocent moment.

Then there it was, this beautiful appliance, the guys slid it right into it's waiting spot like it was made to be there, it fit perfectly! We all cheered and I yelled out that maybe we should have had a bottle of champagne on hand to celebrate! Everyone laughed, and then I got my third gift. I looked around and it dawned on me, how so many of us who have shared so much blood, sweat and tears getting this food bank open and keeping it going all had the same appreciation and understanding about how special this free freezer was. 

For the last two days we have oohed and ahhedd over it. When I called the Director of the Thurston County food bank to thank him profusely for it, he was calmly happy, almost matter of fact in his response to my thanks. I realized that this is an every day event to him. So I thought lets spread the joy here.  I then explained to him that this was like getting a new Porsche to us. We have checked under the hood, ran our hands over it lovingly and the fact that it is frost free was like getting heated seats when you have a heater that barely works in your old car! He laughed a joyful laugh because he finally understood how special this was to us.  He then Informed me that I had made his day to know how much we appreciated this gift.

How many gifts was that?

 What I have realized is that I hope no one ever gets so jaded or busy that they can't stop to take a moment and ponder how one generous store bought gift, an every day thing to most people, can and should result in so many life lesson gifts...... if we just pay attention.

86 comments:

Tina~in_ut said...

all is fair in love and first~

Tina~in_ut said...

oh how pretty i am~

Bebbilane said...

awww..darn. almost!

Bebbilane said...

congrats Ms. Pretty Tina.

Jodi said...

Congrats TINA....love your cum f*ck me red lipstick!!

Good morning BEBBI!!!

LYNN - What a special gift. And thank you for sharing with us....I will spend the rest of my day smiling. :O)

Tina~in_ut said...

LynnD~ Fantabulous blog today!!! I often think I'm the only one who see's things the way you described~ In this day and age of xbox, playstation, and wii....it makes me so happy to see kids getting a kick out of playing with a box! I love walking into my son's room to see blankets thrown every which way because they had to make a fort! I love it when my daughter asks if we can go camping! Great blog, Lynn~

Jodi said...

Off to give my gift this morning. Heading back to the Red Cross for my double red donation.

I hope everyone has a great day ♥

Jodi said...

TINA - My boys still do the "fort" thing, too!!!

Lynn D said...

Morning Glories!

Tina you are so pretty! Congrats on first.

You know that whole day seemed so innocent and joyful that it has stuck with me.

Glad you all see the beauty of that moment this morning! So happy I shared it.

DeeDee said...

Good morning all!

I read the post Lynn...about the freezer on Facebook...and was glad you got a freezer....but after reading this I am REALLY glad you got it!!!

Its really heartwarming when organizations and volunteers consider themselves rewarded just by receiving basic equipment to help them continue their humanitarian work.

And your attitude about this acquisition and your hard work shows a real dedication to your community and your fellow man..

I an even proud of your new freezer and I am proud of you as well..

Bebbilane said...

DeeDee: Are you feeling okay today? That was the nicest comment ever. Wow...

Bebbilane said...

Lynn - I will read the blog when I get home..I am so happy for you about the freezer. Can't wait to read it! :)

Maureen said...

LYNN...what a heartwarming blog. I am so happy for you and your foodbank.

I was supposed to be off today and planned a veg out. My boss called and asked me to come in for a while as a couple of people called off. As much as I don't want to go, the overtime is very enticing!

G'morning TINA, BEBBI, DEE DEE and HODI

DeeDee said...

I don't recall if we had cardboard to play with.....but I do remember making forts and clubhouses out of lawn furniture and bedspreads...tarps...anything we could get to hide ourselves....although I don't remember what we were hiding from.....prolly Apaches...I think when I was little they were still scalping the pale faces.....(?)

Once my sisters and I stayed at an Aunts house for a week and we went to a revival at a "Holiness" church.....

then we would play church at home! I would be the preacher...another would get the holy ghost and dance around and wallow on the ground...someone else would get to speak in tongues...this was all exciting to us because we were boring Baptists.......

Services could be lengthy or short...depending on how long it took Mother to catch us......

We weren't making fun....but Mother said it was wrong....

That church was a lot more fun than the one we went to....ijs...

Tina~in_ut said...

DeeDee~ you never cease to amaze me~ I can't believe you can remember THAT FAR BACK!~ :)~

Zona said...

LYNN: I'm so happy for you and the Food Bank..it's wonderful that you received something you needed so badly.

I love that the student wanted the cardboard box to the preschool class! It's amazing how something so simple can spark the imagination of a child. I found myself smiling at the memory of building forts in the snow when I was a kid..or putting blankets over the coffee table on a rainy day, convinced no one would never find us. Oh for the simpler times..

Great blog LYNN..thank you!

Zona said...

TINA: Helllooo Gorgeous! Congrats on FIRST!

I think I'll make a fort in my bedroom tonight..could be fun! :D

JODI: I was glad to read your trip to give blood was Yodaless.. ;)

DEEDEE: Doll gone? ;)

HI MO! HI BEBBI!

Still babying the knee..but it seems to be ok..Did I ever tell you all how much I like Rufus Wainwright? ;)

DeeDee said...

Zona darling...

I know you like Rufus...the question was...

Whose rendition of Hallelujah is better...KD or Rufus....??

Don't worry...I'm not going to hurt your other leg....but tell me....have you ever had a "feminine" itch that made you just want to hump a saguaro cactus??

put that in your fort and smoke it

Jodi said...

DEE DEE - lol lol lol lol.....wheeeeezing!!!

Lynn D said...

You gals are all crazy!

Zona so glad to hear you are resting that knee! Where is Nikki? I hope she is watching where she lays now.

You know I thought how full circle that box was when she said she wanted to take it to the preschool for the kids. Another generation teaching the joy of imagination.

I can Def. see Deedee as a preacher! LMAO

Bebbilane said...

Lynn: That was an awesome blog. I loved all the "gifts" that came from the freezer. How nice. The cardboard box is a favorite in this house too. Many good times were had when my kids were little and there was a big box! :)

Thanks for sharing your joy and truly continuing to bring the gift to us. Great BLOG!

Tina~in_ut said...

I'm on my way home.....12hrs today....we are able to work up to 16hrs a day right now cuz of the volcano~ that's too much for me~

I just wanted to say, DeeDee.....you made my whohah itch!!!!!

And LynnD~ DeeDee as a preacher? she does it every night, honey~ :)~

Dianne/Denver said...

LYNN: I love your freezer story. It gave me a lump reading the part when you were describing it to the person that sent it to you. I think all these presents last week were sent for your Birthday. I know everyone on the site believes something different in life but I am going to put what I believe. I think the God sees all that all of you do but you especially since it was y our Birthday....and you received all this to share with all of us....thank you.

DEEDEE: I hope you only have a ZONA doll and not one for each of us....j/s Maybe you got to hide in a TeePee....how fun!.

ZONA: I am glad you have such great memories but I hate to burst your bubble but there wasn't snow where you lived. It's okay....now come over here and just lay down for awhile. Yes sure...you can get in the fort...now close your eyes!!! night night

Dianne/Denver said...

BTW TINA, It is not fair to be first when we are not up and working as early. MO AND CAROL: You are up before TINA....we need you to jump in there and beat TINA some mornings.

Glad to hear that TINA AND MO are earning all this OT money. I won't even have to bring my purse to Chicago...thank you MO and TINA and then we have $1000 casino winner GOLDIE. This trip is going to be much less expensive than I thought.

Maureen said...

DIANNE...LOL! Even with the OT, my crappy pay is just crap and a half! But, I'll spring for a drink for ya!

If the blog posted at 8, I could beat TINA more often, but I have to be at work at 9, so I am gone before it posts. Although, I was off today, so I slept in...until my boss called. Dagnabbit!

I only have 1 more day off until I leave for our MWMAG. I don't know how I will get it all together by then. Maybe I can make a list...

- laundry
- get oil change
- lose 50 pounds
- erase all the wrinkles
- pack
- do a mapquest
- ask AGAIN the name of the hotel
- wash the inside windows of the car
- get snacks for the road

So much to do, so little time!

Dianne/Denver said...

MO; get snacks for Di in Denver

Dianne/Denver said...

MO; Dont forget to pack and wear your Cleveland Brown shirt...maybe we should all wear our team shirts...TINA....You will be wearing your Bronco shirt.

Maureen said...

DIANNE....what kind of snacks do you want?

Dianne/Denver said...

Whoops one more thing MO for your list:

Don't notice how chunky and old Di in Denver is and for sure don't mention it!!!!

Maureen said...

I don't have a Cleveland Browns shirt. How about an Indian's shirt?

That would make a fun pic...all of us in a sports team shirt from our town

Maureen said...

DIANNE...never in a million years would I see that. You're young, spry and beautiful

Zona said...

DEEDEE: I think it might be a good idea if I didn't answer your last question... ;)

LYNN: Nikki is right behind me..you'd think almost getting squished would make her a little more cautious..nope..lol..

DIANNE: You goof..I lived in Pennsylvania until I was 6. Thanks for letting me get in the fort..all we ever have around here are tents.. ;)

Bebbilane said...

Why oh why..did I eat 4 ice cream sandwiches? I had a perfect day up till then.

Maureen said...

ZONA...Was it Allentown? I think we talked about that.

BEBBI...were they W.W ice cream sandwiches?

Bebbilane said...

Nope..170 calories each. So I went and worked out and burned off 600, but I still had 80 calories left. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Hubby wants them, I bought WW, ate all mine..now digging into his..grrr....oh, NO MORE>..that is it.

Bebbilane said...

I didn't eat all mine today and then had 4 of his..lol. I bought them last Friday..hehe.

Bebbilane said...

I think my belly is going to explode..haha. Bad move on my part.

Bebbilane said...

I googled, "Why did I eat 4 ice cream sandwiches" and GOOGLE didn't even have an answer for me. Maybe I should try "Bing"..

Bebbilane said...

I know, no one cares about my binging...but I have to vent..otherwise I will:

A. Go and eat the rest of them
B. Go and spray them with Bug killer and squish them up and throw them in the garbage.

Bebbilane said...

The squishing part is just to release my anger with my weakness for food of that nature.

night.owls.sb said...

Lynn..

Fanowlstatic blog.. we take so much for granted, and it is so special when we are humbled. I am cheering with you and all your volunteers for a gift that will always be so treasured..

What a great day that must have been..

Thanks for sharing!

night.owls.sb said...

Lynn..

I forgot.. the cardboard box.. was one of my fav things to play in as a kid..

Great Memory..

night.owls.sb said...

Bebbi..

I care.. I know all about binging.. shake it off.. there is always tomorrow..

night.owls.sb said...

Tina..

My goodness you are so very pretty, Love your hair! Its a crop doo right?

night.owls.sb said...

Mo..

Like your list of things to do, now just make sure you check it twice!

:O)

I will be making my list as well, and my axe will be # 1 on the list!

Bebbilane said...

Thanks Carol, I did go and work out..so I am just venting. I want to own up to my behavior, somehow it helps.

Um, leave the ax at home..I will tell the TSA on you.

Bebbilane said...

Okay..going to bed..goodnight all. Sweet dreams.

Just_Lin said...

Tina You are so pretty so often. It just isn't fair. (pouting)

LynnD What a great day you had! Thanks for sharing that story with us. It's like it was the gift that keeps on giving. The freezer keeps giving by making your job easier and helping provide for so many needy people; the box keeps on giving by providing fun and entertainment for little kids. It just can't get any better than that! And kudos to the high school volunteer for seeing the potential in that big box. Now that's a great way to recycle!

Just_Lin said...

Nighters, Bebbi!

Just_Lin said...

50

Maureen said...

CAROL...I better add the armor to my list!

Can you email the name and address of the hotel yet again? I am such a dorkazoid

Maureen said...

JUST LIN...hello! How's it going?

Just_Lin said...

Hi MO! It's going okay. Nothing exciting happening.

night.owls.sb said...

Nite bebbi..

Mo.. I thought I sent it.. but I will send right now..

J/L.. Hi!

Just_Lin said...

How long will it take you to drive to the hotel?

Just_Lin said...

Hi, Carol Isn't it late for you?

night.owls.sb said...

Mo..

Sent it to your aol account..

night.owls.sb said...

J/L.. yes it is late.. I wait till I can't see straight anymore, before I get in bed.. so I don't twist and turn..

And right about now, I can see..

so I am off.

have a good nite

Just_Lin said...

Sweet dreams, Carol.

Maureen said...

JUST LIN...if you were asking me...
I am driving to my brother's house in WI on Wednesday then I will come to the hotel on Saturday. I think it is probably 2 hrs. from his house to the hotel, but I have to mapquest it.

I am hoping to catch up with you guys on Sat before the check in time ;)

Just_Lin said...

I'm going to get some Rocky Road ice cream. Yum!

Maureen said...

CAROL...check your gmail.

SWEET DREAMS

Just_Lin said...

MO Cool! Yes, I was asking you. :)

Just_Lin said...

MO I'm going for the ice cream now. Want some? I'll be happy to share with you. Probably won't help with the 50 lb weight loss goal, though. LOL

Maureen said...

JUST LIN...ice cream sounds good. Mmm, what flavor? Can I have some hot fudge on it, too? Maybe some whipped cream? ;)

Just_Lin said...

I only have Rocky Road or Vanilla Bean (I do have Hershey's syrup). And I also have raspberry sorbet.

Just_Lin said...

I have discovered that raspberry sorbet with chocolate syrup on it tastes a lot like a chocolate covered cherry.

Just_Lin said...

68

Just_Lin said...

69

Just_Lin said...

Aaaahhh!! That was almost as good as the Rocky Road I just ate.

Maureen said...

It is about 73 miles from my brother to O'hare. Factor in getting lost time and I guess 2 hours should be right!

Just_Lin said...

I'll be looking for you. :)

Maureen said...

Time to crawl under the blankies.

Sweet dreams to all

Jodi said...

68

Maureen said...

just look for the short fat wrinkly old hag...with no more gray highlights!!

Jodi said...

WTC!!!

Jodi said...

Thought I could sneak in a 69.....not tonight!!

Maureen said...

HODI...what are you WTC'ing?

Just_Lin said...

Jodi Ha! Slow tonight, are we?

Just_Lin said...

Later, Ladies. I have to go watch the season finale of "Damages".

Jodi said...

MOHO - Scroll up.....just missed 69!! And I'd say your estimation of your drive time sounds about right!!

Jodi said...

SLIN - Later pretty lady!!

Jodi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dianne/Denver said...

Night everyone. We need to figure out when everyone is arriving...day and approx time.

Maureen said...

DIANNE...I nominate you to be the keeper of the itineraries.

I'll be there around 11:30 - 12

Lois Lane said...

Beautiful and awesome! You are giving back and that is a never ending gift, Lynn. Thank you for this post and for being so supercalafragawesome!!! xo