Won-a-days! Apr 30, 2006

Moonbeam said...
It was such a big day that I don't know what to say. It was big in a good way, maybe I will write about it later.

Moonbeam said...

Ok it's later,
I've been trying to decide how to write about this day. This was the day of our community volunteer event & there were so many "won-a-days" in such a short period I don't know where to start. Here are my opening remarks.

I would like to direct your attention to the stars on the tables, (more than 300 stars in cluster decorated the tables). These stars have been months in the making, they were the concept of Mappy. They were cut by Mappy, Mark & Cody all volunteer youth. Hands that have painted them include; Mappy, Mark, Adda, Gail, Brian, Phil & Me.

I have to be honest it was not a fun job but as I watched the progress I began to make some interesting connections between the stars & volunteers.

Firstly, Mappy, Mark and Cody who did the most and the hardest work did it with joy. They never talked about how boring or tiring it was, they never complained. In fact when the first cluster was painted and could be put together they celebrated. The picture of Mappy's smile is etched in my memory.

Secondly, as I painted I noticed the many imperfections in the stars and I thought about the event and what I would say. When all of these thoughts came together I arrived at this formula: imperfections + hard work + attitude = joy & celebration.

Volunteers acknowledge an imperfection, they work hard to address it with a positive attitude and action and then they celebrate with joy. Amazingly perfection never comes into the equation. Stars are not perfect when we gaze at them in the sky & no one complains that they are not perfect. In fact we look at their magnificence with awe.

Volunteers are like those stars;
When they read to the elderly...the elderly will not remember if they made a mistake
When they deliver food...the hungry will not remember if the mashed potatoes were lumpy
When they hold a hand to provide comfort...those in crisis will not remember if they had the right words to say

Volunteers are truly like stars, they bless an imperfect world with their presence and contributions. We do not judge their efforts; rather we experience the joy of their magnificence and gaze on the contributions they make to our community with the same awe that we look to the night sky.

So...I Thank all of the shining stars here today & thank all of the shining stars not here today. We are truly blessed to have you shining in our community.

Moments through out the day that stand out in my mind:

• The volunteer with 40 years of service who was so honored to be asked to cut the cake for us, (truly it was I who was honored to meet her, she is an inspiration).
• My staff member who thanked and acknowledged me for my efforts and accomplishments and presented me with a Fairy for my garden.
• The pride my 10 year old showed when recognized as the youngest volunteer in attendance with 3 years of service already accumulated.
• The tears shed for a volunteer of a neighboring community who died tragically and violently at the place she gave so much too.
• The excitement of so many door prize winners.
• Marilyn and Elvis (yes "the" Marilyn and Elvis), two youth volunteers who truly set the stage for everyone to feel like stars.

More than anything the energy of this incredible group of people who truly take action to make a difference. You could actually inhale and feel the "idealism" in that room.