The Calm After the Storm

Sorry, I'm not talking about the tornados. Sadly enough, I didn't even realize there were tornados in the Atlanta area until Roger and Alice (Steve's parents) called to see if we were all right. Anyway, I'm talking about the dual party weekend we had. Steve's 36th birthday was Saturday and Sunday, of course, was Mother's day. I organized a "virtual birthday party" for Steve (and if you are reading this you probably were 'invited') but essentially I just asked our family and friends to send him a birthday email. I truly couldn't have asked for a greater response - from our friends and family and from Steve as he read the book that I assembled for him. There were laughter and tears (on both of our parts) and I realized, once again, that having an impact on someone's life is the whole purpose of life. That thought (Hymn #223), "Have I done any good in the world today, Have I helped anyone in need" kind of stayed with me throughout the day. I felt that I had done something to make Steve feel good and as we were reading comments from people I realized maybe we have had a positive impact on some people. It made me want to do it more...lots more. Service has been on my mind a lot lately anyway. Then my mind got crazy with 'okay where am I going to fit it into my day' ? You know, those grandiose thoughts where I open my own soup kitchen and knit booties for every child in Africa. But I quickly realized that wasn't where my thoughts began. I began at 'touching the one'. Just reaching where my span of influence reaches. That making a positive impression on ONE life is enough. And that person might be my niece, my friend, a neighbor. Hopefully everyday it is my children and husband. So maybe I will go clean up my kitchen and knit Jake a pair of booties :)