Hello, everyone! I'm back! Trying to balance work, school, applying to universities, and finding time for a social life threw me for a loop last semester, and as a consequence, I went on a temporary blogging hiatus. Now that summer has started, I've been admitted to my dream university (Go Dukes!), and my work schedule has balanced out, I'm back on the blogging train! I'm working on becoming more consistent with this whole thing. It hasn't been easy, but I have a little bit of a game plan in the works, so hopefully that will allow me to make more time to dedicate to this blog.
Anyway, I've recently started a working at a local science museum as a 'Science Conductor!' (That's totally the best job title, and nothing can convince me otherwise!) Working at the museum brings me so much joy because I'm a huge science nerd, and I love to get other people excited about science. I spend most of my time in the EcoLab and the small animal lab where I get to hang out with a rat snake named Norm and teach kids how to use a microscope. It makes me blissfully happy to share my passion with all the cool kids who come into the museum!
Getting to the museum is a bit of a haul in the morning traffic. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually thankful that I've been caught in traffic every morning. (I can see the look of horror on everyone's face, but let me explain.) Sitting in traffic has forced me to slow down and observe my community, and what I've noticed absolutely breaks my heart. Richmond has a huge population of homeless men and women. These people are almost invisible. Drivers lock their doors, keep their eyes pointed straight ahead, and act like if they don't acknowledge these individuals, they will cease to exist. While commuting back and forth, I would be filled with sadness because I didn't know how I could help. I didn't really feel comfortable giving out money, but I knew that I wanted to offer something other than a smile from the comfort of my car. While perusing Pinterest earlier this week, I found a solution. There were hundreds of tutorials on 'Blessing Bags,' a bag filled with necessities that could be given out in lieu of cash. They're not too expensive to make (I was able to make 6 complete bags for less than $17!), and easy enough to involve your whole family in the production.
These bags are such an easy way to share the love with people in your community who are out there asking for help. I filled up gallon sized plastic bags and I keep them in a little basket behind my passenger seat so I am always prepared when I'm stopped at a stoplight and someone is reaching out for assistance.
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| Organizing the items I purchased |
I went to Target and the Dollar Tree and bought enough items to fill each bag with:
1 bottle of water
1 bar of soap
1 comb
1 razor
1 toothbrush with a case
1 tube of toothpaste
1 bottle of 2in1 shampoo
1 travel pack of Tylenol
1 strip of bandages
2 antibacterial wipes
1 package of tissues
1 snack sized plastic bag of cotton swabs
1 granola bar
1 package of fruit snacks
A handwritten note of encouragement
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| Packed and ready to go! |
I was able to purchase enough items to make 6 complete bags for under $17. These bags are personalizable, so you can add anything you would like. In the future, I think I'm going to add some deodorant, a pair of socks, feminine hygiene products, some sunscreen for the summer, and some gloves and a scarf for the winter. Making these bags would be a great family or group activity. Have everyone bring x-amount of one item, and then pack the bags as a group. After the bags are packed, everyone could sit down and write some words of encouragement to add to the bags. It would be a great opportunity to open a dialogue about helping those in need.
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| I was able to fit all 6 bags in a container that I keep in my backseat. It's perfect for keeping the bags handy for when I'm stopped at a red light. |
Do you all have any favorite random acts of kindness or ways to pay it forward? Let me know in the comments!
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.” ~ Mother Teresa
Kate xox
