..." parent's willingness to nurture a child", I was thrilled to hear these words in the inaugural speech, to be included in a nation of service. We mothers are important even when it doesn't always seem so.
But how can I make a difference beyond my home? How can I be of service? How can I, a mother of two small children with difficult temperaments and no social network, bring about change? I envy the wealthy and influential people who can effect change with words, grand actions, money. I spent most of yesterday dwelling with these thoughts. For me there is no clear avenue. I feel small, tired and unimportant.
I had a glimpse of clarity late yesterday amid housework, crying children and frayed nerves. This past month I set a monthly food budget that was 50% smaller than my usual budget. It will take a bit of sacrifice but I should succeed. I thought of this as a one month challenge but yesterday I realized I could offer this sacrifice every month to something more worthy than saving money. So to that end I committed money to our local food bank and a donation to Heifer International. Hunger issues touch me to the core. I can't imagine not being able to feed my children.
So at the end of the day, I realized I can do something in this moment perhaps not with my hands and time but with sacrifice.