This Reminds Me

Archive for November 1st, 2009

The day after Thanksgiving means wrestling the Christmas tree from under the stairs.

The day after Christmas means hitting the outlet mall.

But before we get there…..the day after Halloween means snatching up a cart full of of half-price candy at Wal-Mart for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

Yes, it has begun.  Again.

We bought cheap Rubbermaid cabinetry at Home Depot last year before Hannah could move into what was the guest room, with its lovely empty closet holding all this stuff. Today I am just dragging stuff out. Lois, Hannah and Julia filled dozens of sandwich-sized Ziplog baggies with candy before their afternoon choir practices today.  Lots more to fill. We pack only plastic shoeboxes – none of that “gift wrap a paper box” nonsense.  For about $1@, the plastic box becomes part of the gift, and is far more likely to survive the journey overseas.  The most commonly-observed use for the boxes?  To haul water.

School supplies, anyone?  My friend Lisa reminded me years ago, “It does no good to send pencils without a sharpener.”  This year, she and Matt sent 101 boxes of crayons (among other things) – no sharpener needed. I am blessed with the world’s most generous friends – there is no doubt in my mind. Yes, you know who you are.

The very beginning of organization – girls’ pile, boys’ pile, either pile. It’s an unholy mess right now.
My “Women on Wednesday” class is coming over Wednesday night to help pull labels, ditch packaging, organize piles, etc.   We may even pack a few.  And long-time friend Renee is coming over Saturday with her daughter and friends to pack.  And, of course, we’ll be working on them at home through the week.

If you’ve ever wanted to pack a shoebox for a needy child – give it a whirl!  It’s so much fun.   It gives joy not only to the child, but also to the giver.  The day you pack.  The day the child receives it.

And every day thereafter.