Why Volunteer?

Do you ever wonder why some people volunteer for everything? And others are not much interested in working for nothing. Maybe it is because you have not yet found your niche. We are all gifted in some manner, we all have likes and dislikes, or things that we are passionate about.

For those of you outside of my local area, this plea will probably not pertain to you.  After being in the "volunteer"business for nearly ten years running a non-profit, we are seriously considering closing the doors of our ministry.  Three people can only be stretched so thin and something as to give.  So I want to tell you what you have to win, or lose, if no one steps up to the plate and helps Twelve Baskets continue on.

We, at Twelve Basket’s Cooperative Ministry, are always seeking for volunteers. If you think volunteering is simply being there on the weekend, sorting through donations and greeting customers, you would be right . . . and wrong. There are so many additional needs that you may have never considered. We need “fix it” people to check out mechanical and electronic goods, organizers who want to help with special events such as the Coat Give-Away, the Harvest Festival, the Community Yard Sale, or float builders for the 4^th of July and Christmas parades. We need media people to advertise special events and make posts on Facebook or put up fliers. Those people who are computer savvy could help with so many things. Or perhaps you feel led to participate as a board member. How about being a financial counselor?   Do you have skills you can share with others?  Many of these things only require a few hours here and there, but all of you are necessary to make things run smoothly.  And yes, it does require a commitment just like a "real" job!

So why volunteer? There are so many reasons! While you will not get paid monetarily, you will gain ever so much from the experience. Young people, volunteer work looks great on your resume. It tells future employers that you care about more than wages, you care about your community, a cause, and people. It shows you are not afraid of hard work. You will gain abilities that will be helpful as you step out into the world. Honing your people skills will take you a long way in life.

Those of you who are retired, you too will gain from helping out. First there is the satisfaction of doing a job, serving your community or aiding someone who has a need. Secondly you will find a whole new set of friends and acquaintances that will enhance your world. And yes, you will learn new skills. Going against the old adage, you “can teach an old dog new tricks”. In fact, as we age, we need to be challenged to learn new things. It keeps us vital.

Some of the many perks of working at Twelve Baskets is the sense of family and community. The work can be hard at times, but there is a venue within the organization that will uniquely fit you and your abilities. Some of you like to be cashiers and greet the public, some like to organize and redecorate, others enjoy doing yard work or the many odds and ends at need to be done each week. Some of you can help from home, others are needed at the store on a regular basis.

The bottom line to any volunteer experience is not what you give, but what you get in return. Over the years we have been blessed beyond measure with your support, your friendship, your abilities, and the fact that you care about others and your community. We would love to share that sense of blessing with more of you. We want to get to know you. It makes our lives richer. Not only our lives, but everyone you come in contact with. We would like you to become part of our family.  

Right now we are accepting applications for two or more managers, as well as additional help.  If you don't volunteer to help, this little store that has supported this community for nearly ten years will close its doors by the first of the year.  And if you think we are "just" a thrift store, you would be so wrong.  One hundred percent of our profits from your generous donations go back into this community.  We not only help individual members of our community, we give out scholarships, we offer warm coats to the community for free, we support our local library, museum, art council, prescription fund, Senior Center, food bank, fire department, Disaster Fund and more.  We offer a place for those with special needs to learn some basic skills such as socialization.  We participate in fund raisers for those who have suffered a major loss.  We offer a safe place for those who are at risk.  They receive love, understanding, and help in any number of ways from personal counseling to financial management to reestablishing their lives.  And you will be prayed for, hugged, listened to, and leave knowing that somebody cares.

Yes, we offer wonderful goods that are donated by our generous community but that is just the tip of the iceberg that is visible to you.  We laugh with you, we cry with you, we support you and care about every little thing in your life that causes you joy or pain.  Do you really want to see us fall by the wayside?  Especially since it would only take a small sacrifice on your part to keep this ministry up and running.

We ask that you consider joining our team.  You will be blessed.  I can promise you that!

Just Writin' on the River Road

So what. . .

I see a lot of messages on Facebook about depression these days.  Suddenly, at this point in my life, it has knife stabbing meaning.  I never thought of myself in that way, but now it feels a lot closer to home than it used to be.

I don't even know how you define depression.  Do I feel suicidal?  Absolutely not.  Mostly it just feels like being covered with a heavy, wet blanket.  It is hard to think, hard to move, even hard to speak at times.  I used to think I was just having a "pity party", but I think it is more than feeling sorry for myself.  There is something deep and dark that pulls you back to all of  those "pitiful poor me" thoughts, something that won't allow you to let go and move on.  I used to think I wallowed in my problems because I chose to do that.  Now I am not so sure that the decision is all mine any more.


Talk to someone, they tell me.  But when you feel that no one else "gets" where you are at, it seems rather pointless.  So the routine "I am fine." answer is always at the tip of my tongue.  For I find that others not only don't understand, but mostly they don't care.  Not because they are mean or cruel,but because they, too, are dealing with a very full plate.  I don't blame them.  I understand.  They can't fix my situation.  We all deal with life and death, pain and illness, family issues, wayward children, disappointment, fear, and the list seems endless.  Walk a mile in someone else's shoes, the saying goes, if you want to fully understand their suffering.  I think there is a lot of truth in that.

But also, we should never discount another's pain and circumstances.  While not the same as mine, they hurt just the same.  It does not help to tell them they are "strong", because nobody is strong all the time.  We simply rise to the challenges before us when it is necessary.  And then we collapse into a well of despair.  It is like wearing lead boots and hoping you never end up near the water.

Those of you who are care givers, or have been care givers, will understand.  There is a fine line to maintain your own life while caring for someone else.  And when it is someone you love, it is even more difficult.  I reek of selfishness for I want to run away and leave it all behind.  But responsibility, compassion, loyalty, and love keep that from happening.  Please don't disparage anyone when they do take that short time to get away and recoup, it is a necessity if they are to continue on.

I am most fortunate in that I have two special people in my life.  We have been friends for 14 years.  Although we each struggle with our own battles, we know and understand each other's battles also.  When I am down, the other two pick me up.  When I need a "talking to", I get that.  When I can't go one more step, they are there.  I am blessed.  When life sucks, we suck it up together.  We keep each other going.  When I am tempted to give in or give up, they yank me back into the real world.  Sometimes those who really care have to "slap you up along side the head" so your head settles back on straight.

Joy is there, but it seems so far away sometimes.  Life goes on.  I need to learn to live for today....ultimately that is all I have.  But I have the promise of life everlasting with my Savior that will beat anything I can imagine here on earth.  I can't imagine surviving my circumstances without that promise.  "Jesus Loves Me" is not just a song, it is the truth.  And when all else fails, it is that truth that you hang onto.

Just Writin' on the River Road

Tribute to Love

I attended a funeral recently.  I confess, I really dislike funerals.  Perhaps it is the sadness, even though we try to make it a celebration of the person's life.  Or it could be that that person will leave a hole in my life that can't be filled by any other.  Maybe it is facing my own eventual passing from this world.  What ever the reason, it isn't a place I like to be.

This funeral was somewhat different.  Was it sad?  Yes.  Will that person leave a void? Yes.  But it was a testimony in a number of ways of the true power of love.

You see, Amy was handicapped from the age of three months when she suffered a bout with menigities.  She was an answer to prayer...…..she did not die.  She became the commitment in her parent's lives for the next 45 years.  The love of a parent for a child is a difficult thing to describe.  Is it just a commitment, or a sacrifice, or does it go deeper?  In this case it became a lifestyle.  The love was tangible, real and never faked.  For Amy would never run into her parent's arms and tell them that she loved them, but she told them through her laughter and smiles.  She mourned her daddy when he passed away.  Her mother knew this even though Amy couldn't tell her.  Amy was a special testimony in and of herself.  Her parent's love for her has become a testimony to the rest of us.

The love of family is immeasurable.   Amy's family surrounded her.  Her parents, her siblings, her nephews and nieces were all a part of her life.  Her sister testified how much Amy had changed their lives, filled them with a compassion and caring that could have come no other way.  Experience is not only the best teacher, it is sometimes our only teacher.  Each experience with Amy would ultimately change each of them for the better.

Another part of the story is the love that this community had, not only for Amy, but for her family.  They supported them in the hard times, were there when a shoulder was needed for a good cry, loved them through thick and thin, and physically stepped in to help when they were overwhelmed.  It was never a sacrifice for anyone to become a part of Amy's life.  It was just done because that's what people do who love and care for each other.

Perhaps Amy's care was seen as a life long burden by some.  And it could easily have been that.  But for Amy's family it was a burden of joy.  Was it difficult?  I am sure they could tell you many stories of the hardships, the difficulties, the pain, or the fear that encased these last 45 years.  But they don't focus on that, they focus on the joy that Amy brought into their lives.

I only met Amy once.  She didn't seem extra special to me, but then I didn't know her personally.  But the look on her mother's face when she interacted with Amy was extraordinary.  When other's talked about her, it was with love and compassion.  There was understanding, kindness, consideration expressed by all those who did know her or her family.  She is a testimony to the difference that one life can make in this world.  One life that changes everything it comes in contact with, one life that will be sorely missed.

Even though I didn't know you, Amy, you have impacted my life in subtle ways.  I was sometimes almost jealous of the love others felt for you.  God now has His little girl.  She is whole and well, sitting in His lap for all eternity.  Thank you for changing my life.  God bless you always.

Just Writin' on the River Road

Life without.....

It is amazing what can bring life to a screeching halt.  And it never seems to be the big things in life, most often it is the little things that we take for granted.  Point being . . . my internet went down for a week.  I never thought I would ever say that I am dependent on something, but I guess I am.  Being rather technology/computer impaired, I have to call for HELP!  So I called the internet company.  After thoroughly explaining to them that showing up to fix it in a week was completely unacceptable, they showed up in a week anyway.  So for a week, I couldn't play cards (a disaster), couldn't e-mail (how would I ever communicate), couldn't do business or banking, couldn't look things up (remember encyclopedias?), there was no Netflix (because there is nothing on regular TV to watch), no wi-fi radio, no Facebook (not a great loss), no working from home on my business, no blogging, no printing documents (printer is wi-fi connected) . . . in other words, life came to a halt.  Not really, but all those things we do from minute to minute, were gone.  How did we ever survive the pre-computer age?

Well, let's see.  How did we survive?  I wrote letters.  In fact I still have some that were written over 50 years ago by friends now long gone.  Or I walked to the telephone booth to make a call.  Yes, one of those funny little boxes on the corner that required lots of change if you intended to talk very long.  I went to the movies for less than a dollar.  I sometimes typed on a typewriter, but more often than not, I wrote by hand.  Printing was called a carbon copy.  And we thought we were really "up town" to have such conveniences at the time.

I am sure, in another 20 to 50 years, all that I enjoy now will fall into the category of the vintage telephone booth.  At the rate technology is advancing, I won't have to move to do anything.  As it is, I can talk to my remote and it will do any number of things so I don't have to get out of my chair.  Will we forget how to care for ourselves, will we forgo our independence, will our brain power decrease as we become dependent on machines to do our bidding?  Look at the things already lost.  Penmanship is gone, basic math skills are gone, why bother when you can type or use a calculator.  Sadly, communication is gone as I knew it.  Now it is done on Facebook or texts, people rarely ever talk face to face.  Do I do those things, absolutely.  But nothing beats an old fashioned gab fest between friends, or picking the brain of someone who has more skills than I do.  You-tube is handy but sometimes one-on-one lessons are better.

Would I go back to that time of such "inconvenience"?  Sometimes.  It was easier, slower, filled with things that I know and understand.  I think mostly it was filled with youthful exuberance, hope, expectation, and life in general.  People interacted, encouraged, taught, and helped each other.  Now I just have to "Google it" to find out things, and I while I appreciate the convenience, I sometimes miss the interaction of others.

You would think, being a total introvert, I would thrive on this electronic age.  And, in some ways, I do.  But for an introvert, it can also be dangerous place.  If you are not inclined to be a naturally social creature and are not "forced" to interact with people through work or other outlets, it can be a lonely and scary place to find yourself.  I wonder if so many suicides have to do with our loss of human interaction.  I know some are the result of cyber actions that can hurt and cause incredible damage.  And the "bully" never sees the effect of his elecrronic actions.  We live lives with little or no responsibility.

I have meandered way outside my intent when I began this article.  But it must all have been stuck in my craw somewhere to come flowing forth.  Let's enjoy our conveniences but let's also enjoy each other.  Listen, watch, speak, interact.  People were created to need others.  And an electronic device just won't be there when you really need someone.

Just Writin' on the River Road

The Final Chapter

This winds up the trip of a lifetime by two young girls who spent nearly six weeks touring Alaska and parts of Canada.  I wonder what kind of an impact it had on their lives.

This little piece of history will be for sale at the Calico Cupboard, Glenns Ferry, Idaho.


Tuesday, July 18  Got up at 7:30, got on deck in time to see a fishing boat scrubbing up after unloading their fish where we were docked.  Sailed.  M and I spent the morning on deck.  Got to Sitka after lunch.  Had trouble docking.  No one wanted us. Docked at the Standard Oil dock blocking up a little harbor.  An airplane wanted out and he and our Capitan had words.  Finally let him out.  M and I crawled sow a gangplank then proceeded to walk in circles to get no where.  Went to see a fish cannery but it had stopped.  Walked around dusty streets getting no where until we finally hit the road out to Totem Pole Park.  Stopped to see the Russian church but they're worse than the Methodists.  They charged a collection before you even got in.  We skipped that.  Totem Pole Park is very lovely.  We met the doctor and his wife holding hands in Lover's lane.  Lovely shaded paths now and then giving glimpses of the sea with totem poles here and there.  Got back to the ship about 3:30.  Ate dinner then I went picture shopping.  Sailed at 8.  M and I went to bed soon after.

Wednesday, July 19.  Thought we got up at 8:30 but found we should have se our clocks ahead an hour las night so it was really 9:30.  The steward was very shocked.  Went on deck for the morning.  We sat in the (the boat did) in the middle of the passage waiting for the tide to get into Petersburg.  Arrived just after lunch for a half hour.  Rushed to see a fish cannery.  Saw them sorting the fish but we didn't' have time to see the whole cannery.  Slept all afternoon.  After dinner got off to see Wrangle.  Saw war canoe, etc.  Got a garnet.  We get to Ketchikan about 2.  Will see if we can stay awake.

4 AM.  Just back from doing Ketchikan.  After midnight lunch went to observation room and danced.  I did the shottish with Mr. Gates. fun.  At 12 the orchestra stopped.  People wanted to keep dancing but all records, piano, etc.  Were locked up so we all sang, then they turned out all the lights on us but we still sang.  Then they blinked the lights but we still sang.  At 1 the man came up to clean up the room for tomorrow so we adjourned to the galley where raided the kitchen.  The Captain came down and was surprised to see the group but was jolly.  Arrived in Ketchikan  at 2.  Walked downtown and got back about 4.  It is 4:30 now and daylight.  Another day has dawned.

Thursday, July 20.  Got up at 12 noon, dressed just in time for lunch.  After lunch start to hunt up costumes for the costume ball.  M. went as a Spanish gentleman.  Captains dinner was tonight too.  We had balloons and paper hats and turkey.  Very good Captain's dinner.  At 8:45 the grand march started, we paraded around the ship then went to the observation room.  After judging of costumes, we had midnight lunch.  Then we danced.  Now to bed at about 12.

Friday, July 21.  Got up about 8:30.  Went on deck, beautiful sunny day.  Saved ourselves until lunch.  After lunch we again went on deck and stayed until about4.  Then we came down to do some packing.  After dinner we napped then got ready for Vancouver.  Docked about 9:30.  Then went with Mrs. Young to see the town.  Got back about 11:30.  We were given slips to get on and of this by the immigration official.  Should dock in Seattle tomorrow about 7.

Saturday, July 22  No more entries.

Just Writin' on the River Road

A Mother's Hands

Every time I do certain things, like petting the cat or peeling vegetables, I see my mother's hands.  It is a strange feeling that I haven't really come to terms with yet.  Do I want to be like her or not?  Do I want to accept my age, probably not. Some how this whole "hand" thing
bothers me and I am not quite sure why.

Am I reminded of her last few years when those fingers were feeble and unable to do the things we all take for granted, like buttoning up her shirt?  Her hands fluttered because she wanted to do things that weren't as easy as they had once been.  Perhaps I am beginning to see that in myself and I don't much like it.

Her hands were weathered from years of hard physical work.  She lived without the things I take for granted today.  Washing clothes was an all day affair of heating water on a wood stove, washing things by hand, hanging it on the clothes line in good weather or bad.  It was carrying wood and water into the house and out again.  She gardened and canned everything, including venison and 100 chickens every year.  Those things were all boiled for hours on a wood stove in the scalding heat of summer to preserve them.

I remember those hands cracked and bleeding from being in water and then outdoors in the dead of winter.  She would put grease on them and wear gloves to bed at night to encourage healing.  Those hands mended our clothes on a treadle sewing machine, they washed diapers by hand, they cooked our food on a wood stove, they never had time for anything relaxing or fun.  It wasn't until she was into her 70's that she began to read again.  There was never time for that before.

So when I see my hands and find them similar to her's, there is no comparison to the things they have done.  We take so many things for granted through life, but our hands are truly a remarkable piece of equipment.  They can soothe our hurts, create lovely, intricate art, caress a loved one.  In and of themselves, they are a true work of art.

So what bothers me about seeing my mother in myself?  I am not sure.  Perhaps it is the age thing.  Maybe it is the inability to do the things I used to do, or possibly I just don't want to end up as she did.  I do know that I yearn to do so many things in the autumn of my life...…..to begin a bucket list.  To fulfill a bucket list.  I don't want to just let life happen anymore.  I want to take it by the horns and go out in a blaze of glory!  Or at least give it a shot until my fire burns out.  Young people don't understand that your need for "living", having experiences, or adventure doesn't die just because your body ages.  One just has to get a little more creative to accomplish some of those things.

A "older" couple came in the store the other day.  She carried oxygen and it was apparent she had a difficult time breathing.  But they were out and about doing things.  As they left, they each got on their big, shiny Spyder motorcycles and drove off.  Yes!  I say go for it.  Who says we have to drive a outdated sedan in our "golden" years!  They were living their dream.

Someone posed a question to me the other night.  Do we ever see our parents as anything but "parents"?  Do we see their desires, their dreams, their hurts, their passions.  I have to admit that I never considered those things with my parents.  They were just there.  Mine was a different generation where you were not "friends" with your parents.  I think some of that has changed but not all.  Do me a favor.  Ask your Mom or Dad about their dreams.  Ask them how they feel about things.  And listen to their answer.  You might be surprised that they feel pretty much the same as you about most things.

Just Writin' on the River Road

A little romance on the frontier?

Saturday, July 15  Got up about 11, went shopping, got some pictures.  Then took a walk over Skagway Bridge to Pirate Cove and then out to a point.  On our way we met a young man, Joe, and he came along.  He was very nice and made the walk most entertaining.  I like him.  He had blue eyes, light hair and a mustache - tall and athletic.  He helped check in the freight when the boat docked.  He liked walking and hiking.  Got home about 4:30.  Went to see the Yukon come in and the Prince George go out.  Came back and M treated me to a big dinner at the hotel.  Then took a walk to the boat with Didi.  Met Johnny down there and talked in the observation room while they came home.  We had banana ice cream cones.  Talked in the lobby a while then went to bed.

Sunday, July 16  Got up about 9. dressed and packed, checked out about 10.  Fooled around the hotel lobby.  Couldn't go on a hike because it was raining.  Ate at a café then played the piano for a while in the lobby.  Then about 3:30 got a taxi to take over our bags.  Went on board the ship.  I was sleepy so went to our room to sleep.  M stayed on deck and got our table settings, table K.  Seems nice.  Three teachers who are jolly, a doctor and his wife (doctor is very dark and handsome and as all doctors, easy conversationalist), so we are well off.  After dinner watched the boat leave the dock about 7.  Stayed on deck to enjoy the scenery and played deck tennis.  Stayed on deck until about 10:30 then went and had a midnight lunch.  I am in the habit now from the river boats.  Then went up to the observation room, danced some and talked.  The doctor joined M and I about 11:30 and we chatted until 12 when things were over.  M and I went on deck again.  Beautiful, the sharp, rugged mountains silhouetted against the clouded sky with now and then stars peeking through - was lovely.  We could hear the swish of the water churned by the propellers of the ship.  Now to bed at 12:30.  We get to Juneau at 7 this morning.

Fish cannery

Monday, July 17  Got up about 6:30.  Walked around Juneau.  Came back and had breakfast at 9.  Played shuffle board and sat on deck til noon.  After lunch we got to Hawkins Inlet.  I went ashore - M didn't.  Wild berries grow in abundance - blueberries and loganberries, the last not ripe yet.  Mr. Shedd took me through a cannery.  It wasn't running but you could see all the machinery.  Next we stopped Hula, another cannery where we again loaded canned salmon.  This was about 7, after dinner.  Played shuffle board until about 10, then went to the midnight lunch.  To bed about 11.  Had a fire drill this morning.  the fire hose got away from its keeper and M and I got a shower bath.  Bet I'm lame tomorrow from shuffle board.  Played three games against two college boys and M and I beat each time.

Just Writin' on the River Road