What's my thing?

Grace has always had certain activities she's participated in: Girl Scouts, Book Club, music lessons, etc. Phillip has never really had anything. He's always been along for the ride to her "things", and he's enjoyed that for the most part because he always sees his friends there. This year, he decided he needed a "thing". His uncle is involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, and he volunteers every Tuesday night there. Phillip decided that it's what he'd like to do. So now, that's his thing. It's what he wants and likes to do. Almost every Tuesday night since September, he's been there.

Grace and I don't always get to join him because a lot of time Girl Scouts is on that same night. But, we were able to all go as a family shortly after the new year. We also picked up one of Phillip's best buddies on the way there. I helped the boys with their part of the grocery list, including 12 dozen eggs (no eggs was broken), and 21 loaves of bread (no loaf was mushed). I'm commenting on the damage to food because, in the past, it hasn't been as lucky. Phillip accidentally kneeled on an egg carton the first time he went.

During their time together, the boys laughed, joked, talked about favorite games, music, and movies. They talked about sports, Legos, and books. They made up a secret handshake while waiting in the checkout lane. They sang their favorite Green Day songs (well, the lyrics they knew, I kept hearing "One twenty-one gun ..." over and over again because that's all they knew) in the back of the car on the way back to the Pantry. They had a blast. Plus, they were doing something good for someone else at the same time. else. I know I grumble about always having to make that drive into town, but I know that I won't for this reason. I think Phillip's "thing" is a priceless endeavor, something that will stick with him for the rest of his life.

an important lesson

 a worthy trip

 take the time 

make a difference 

be the change