Day 19

Ok so I am a very very busy bee. I do not even have tome to blog but I will update this as soon as I am free. Here is a quick peek at what I have planned:

Day 19: Letters of support to the CT victims. A friend of my cousin Jodi is trying to collect 700 letters to send to the school when the kids go back. Letters of support and love. I sent one today. I have no pic because I left my phone charger at Jason's house and my phone has no charge. I plan on sending more. She would like to receive the letters by the first week of January. If you would like to write them as well you can send the letters to: Sara Olsztyn
po box 725
mt pleasant mi 48804

Day 20: I have done home care for the last three years. I have grown close with some of my home bound patients over that time. My favorite is Mrs. Walker. I plan on going to her house after work to visit and bring her a little Christmas tree. I will blog about it if I have time tomorrow. 

Day 21: I have a 5 dollar gas gift card I will give to a lucky person at the pump

Day 22-25: I will be in the North Country. Updates will come on the 26th. No internet in good ol' Onaway MI!

Day 18: Ho Ho Ho

Shopping for my Adopted Family

Today I truly felt like Santa's little helper. I bought the gifts for the family in need to open on Christmas. They have seven children and through the generosity of others I was able to get them each two pretty awesome gifts to open on Christmas morning. I was moved to tears by the generosity I was shown. A true angel came to the aid of those in need. Children who otherwise had no Christmas now have a spectacular one. Shopping for the three little girls was easy and fun. The four boys was difficult considering I come from a family of all girls. I think we nailed it. Combined with all the stocking stuffers from Goodfellows they will have gifts a bounty to open! I am all weepy as I write this post. At work today all I could feel was stressed. I still had so much to do. So many presents to make and things to complete. I felt overwhelmed and not in the spirit in the least bit. I cursed my kindness project and my lack of sleep. Then I was reminded just why I am doing this today. My heart is filled with joy. I will be dropping the gifts off to their parents on Thursday. So between now and then it is time to wrap wrap wrap.

 Santa's little helper, Sarge.

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
Dale Evans

Day 17: Saying Thank You

A Letter to Mrs. Whitford

Everyone has a favorite teacher. Mine is and always will be my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Carolyn Running Crane Whitford. She was a wonderful positive teacher who I will never forget. I want to tell her that she made a positive impact on my life because Christmas is a time to share with others. I want to thank her. Trouble is I do not know where to find her. I attended school at Roy Elementary in Washington state eighteen years ago. So I set on a journey to try and find her. She was no longer a teacher at the school I attended according to the secretary I called. Mrs. Whitford just so happened to be part of the Blackfeet tribe. I thought this could help narrow my search. After several hours of combing the world wide web I managed to find several promising email and postal addresses. One of which I believe is her husbands and what I believe to be her tribe's council email. Such a little private eye was I! So I typed up a heart felt letter and sent it out to several locations. I hope she is able to read this letter. I hope my detective work payed off. Here is what I wrote: 

Hello! My name is Haylee Chowen. I am looking to connect with my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Carolyn Running Crane Whitford. I was a student of hers in 1995 I would like to get a letter of thanks to her. If you have a means of contact for Mrs. Whitford please feel free to email me back. If you are able to pass her along this letter please do so. I think it is important that during these times we thank those who have met something to us. I wanted to take the time to share with Mrs. Whitford that I will never forget her. Thanks for any and all possible help. Happiest of holidays to you and yours, Haylee.

Dear Mrs. Whitford,

                My name is Haylee Chowen. I am not sure if you remember me. I was a student in your 4^th grade class of 1995, at Roy Elementary school. This Christmas I am working on a project. I am attempting to think of others every day for the 25 days of Christmas. I feel we often lose sight of what is truly important and it has been my goal to regain the true spirit this year. Today is day 17. Before I began this project I thought it would be nice to write personal cards to the people who have a positive impact on my life. When I had this thought, you popped into my head right away. Whenever anyone talks about favorite teachers I have always thought of you. So I never got out all those cards. I became very busy with my 25 day adventure. I still wanted to say thank you to you. So today I will. I can still remember your warmth and patience. I was always writing petitions and protecting the underdog at that age (still am). I practically made a formal filibuster in student council to get you to also take the student representatives to the Blackfeet Reservation along with the class officers.  You always supported me, sternly but gently. You corrected me when I would become to over the top. You never made me feel that my thoughts and convictions were stupid. You never made me feel less because I was a child. I was able to go on that trip to the reservation, by the way. You incorporated your culture into your teaching which was stimulating and captivating. You made it fun to learn, in many ways. I will always look back at that time, in the portable, in your class with fondness. I can remember at the end of the school year we had a sleepover in our class room. I can remember feeling like you were my friend. I know now that you genuinely cared for your students. I know that this impact you had on me was the same for many children before and after me. I felt true love from you as my teacher. Though this was almost 18 years ago I will always remember you. Thank you for making school great. Thank you for caring. I will always carry a piece of the little girl I was in your classroom.  I am not sure if this letter will even reach you. I can only hope. Please feel free to email me back at hayleechowen@yahoo.com or you can check out my blog at http://hayleeschristmas.blogspot.com/. I would love to hear from you.  I hope that you have the happiest of holidays.

With Thanks,

Haylee Chowen

In the end all I can do is wait. At least I put it out there into the universe. 

Carolyn Whitford (photography by Ben Marra)

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
-- Albert Einstein 

Day 14,15,16--Weekend Madness

Day #14 Friday

So today I had trouble. I was busy. I had work and errands and family visiting. I told my mom that I would go help her prepare bulbke for our early family Christmas on Sunday. Bulbke are a meat filled bread roll. It has been a traditional part of Christmas dinner my whole life. We have a large family and they all love them equally as much so we have to make a lot! I also told my sister that I would go out for a night on the town with her. I haven't been going out very often so I was ready to spend some quality time with the sis. I will be honest, I did not plan anything for today. I was hoping something would present itself. It did not. I dropped a few bucks into the salvation army buckets while I was running errands. However, I have done this my whole life. I watched my parents do it since I can remember. I don't feel that counts as going outside myself. My mom said that I could use making the bulbke as my act of kindness. I thought that was a cop-out because I have made them with her several years past and I would do that regardless. I honestly was busy and didn't have time to fit anything special in. It was nice spending time with my family. This is the season for sharing time with those I love. I think that maybe I looked at today with too much criticism. Maybe I didn't do anything but I shared the love. I kept a tradition with my mom. We laughed and rolled and stuffed. Christmas tunes playing in the background. Though I was tired and could have easily worked on Christmas presents (my immediate family and I are doing homemade this year) I headed out. It was Friday night and my sister  and I had a rip roaring good time. We too shared many laughs. These are the moments of importance. Taking time as such is an easy way to incorporate the spirit year round. So maybe I didn't have as much trouble as I thought.

Bulbke Yummmmm

Me and Mol

Having somewhere to go is what we call HOME. Having someone to love, who loves us in return, is what we call FAMILY. Having both: BLESSING.

 Kemmy Nola

Day 15: Saturday

Today was another busy day. I had intentions of getting my day started no later than 10:00 am. I had Christmas Shopping to do and I was going to devote my time to starting my homemade gifts. My family and I are going up North for Christmas. We decided to have Christmas simplified. Homemade gifts and all. Like Little House on the Prairie. Well my day did not get started until four in the afternoon. That is the price I pay for a fun filled night with my sister. I did manage to come up with a random act of kindness though. Simple but sweet. I filled plastic bags with two dollars in quarters and taped them to a couple gumball/toy machines around town. A little surprise for some lucky child. I have been known to frequent a gumball machine so who knows maybe a lucky adult. It was fun and simple. I am telling you there is a bit of an adrenaline rush doing all these sneaky deeds.

“Even in the familiar there can be surprise and wonder.”
― Tierney Gearon

Day 15: Sunday

My family usually celebrate Christmas Eve in a big way. This year we had a Christmas celebration earlier than usual. It was as warm and fun-filled as it has always been. I had been planning to try and work in a soup kitchen but I am having trouble finding one that is still accepting volunteers. So I decided that if I couldn't serve food I would collect it. I sent out and email to my entire extended family asking them to please bring non-perishables to our Christmas party. Combining the cans I bought and the ones people brought I had quite a few cans. I tried to drop the cans off after our party at the Gleaners Community Food Bank Taylor distribution center but it was closed. The family time was to much fun to pull away before the bank closed. They will be dropped off very soon though.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Mother Teresa

Day 13: SHED A LITTLE LIGHT

A Little Surprise for the Wayne County Lightfest Teller

As a lover of all things Christmas, though I had already driven through the festival of lights once this year, I felt I needed to do it again. For five bucks, a twenty minute drive through a fancy light display is well worth it. I thought, the first time I went through, what a crummy job to be the person in the ticket booth. Cold, redundant, busy, and boring. Why not treat this random worker to a hot cocoa and a candy cane. This had been my plan all day. Then I worked an almost 11 hour day. The day was not bad but when I was done I was tired. I had errands to run and unforeseen complications really made my pace slow. I was going to enjoy the Lightfest with my girlfriend, Sarah and when I got to her house and sat on her couch I did not want to move. I wanted no obligation but to relax in front of the tube for a few hours. I knew I had to go. Not only were Sarah and I supposed to see the lights on her birthday but I wanted to complete my act. So off we went at a turtles pace. When we delivered the cocoa and the man in the booth was hard to read. He was definitely surprised and did not expect it. We handed it off, smiled, and said Merry Christmas. He seemed a little stunned. He smiled said thanks and we were on our way. The whole thing happened in like 1 minute. I wasn't expecting anything profound. I hope he enjoyed it. I hope he drank it and didn't think we poisoned it.  In the end Sarah and I decided that no matter what he thought at least he thought about it. It was a random act and I hope if at the very least, it changed the pace in his repetitive evening. The lights were beautiful as always. Best five bucks I have spent all month.

Sarah and I 

 Chocolate-Candy Combo

 Jack Frost

 Santa's Sled (Awesome)

I recently was given a hard time when using the greeting above and a dear old friend of mine posted a great article about the Happy Holiday taboo. It is definitely worth a read. Click HERE to read it, loves.

“Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes - goodwill among men and peace on earth.” --Albert Einstein

Day 12: Sweating for the Children

Toys for Tots Boot Camp

My cousin Cory just began a job as a personal trainer a few months ago. He works at the Any Time Fitness in Farmington Hills. He informed me that he would be doing a Toys for Tots drive. In exchange for bringing a toy we could take his boot camp class. So I signed up. I bought some model cars to donate and headed with my sister Mollee to the boot camp. We left my house during rush hour, so the fifteen minute drive took us forty five! We were late for the class so we rushed in and got started. I hate being late and I almost never am....almost. The turn out was great. There were some familiar faces, like our newly engaged friends Tara and Willman. There were also new clients I had never seen before. It was circuit type workout. We moved from station to station every minute. Boy oh boy am I out of shape! I cheated some I will confess but only a tiny bit. I will definitely want to take his boot camps in the future. Turns out you can sign up for boot camps without becoming a member. He needs to whip me into shape and I know he can do it. I felt the burn. Nothing about me wanted to rush home from the office to go work out at all, but it was for a good cause. I supported another child this Christmas and I supported my cousins new career path. I was very proud of how far he has come. He seemed to be totally in his element. He seemed passionate about what he was teaching us. I am very convinced he knows what he is doing. He really shined today. Such a man he has become. It was very nice to see. It made my insides smile! Day 12 was short and sweet but alas complete. I have sweet rhymes, I know. I am filled with silly energy right now! I guess doing good for myself and others has that effect on ya. A double whammy.

  So official with his picture on the wall and everything!

 

Talking to the group after we finished.

 Slinging Shakes

The toys donate! Not bad Cor!

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

-Confucius

Day 11: Child's Play

Taking Some Cool Kids to Bell Ring

I have had not one, but two great experiences ringing the bell. My girlfriend, Mandie had expressed that she wanted to take her nephew, Caleb to ring the bell. I thought, what an awesome idea! Teaching some little ones how to pay it forward. The first buddy that popped into my head was Jason's nephew, Alex. Alex is nine and Caleb is seven (they are both also victims of the St. Nick caper). These ages are perfect because they are still kids, they still believe! I picked up a bundled Alex after work and we headed to meet our bell ringing partners. Alex told me all about St. Nick and the candy in his shoes on our drive. I did not prompt him at all. We were talking Santa and he brought it up. He practically recited the entire letter to me. My insides were freaking out! Joy! We decided to pick up a pizza. A bell ring must be well nourished, you know. After pizza and a little homework/coloring we headed to the local KMART to get to ringing. Let me tell you the weather was not as pleasant as it had been my first time. The entrance of the KMART where we stood was like a wind vortex. I can honestly say that this is the first time this winter I have been truly cold. It was a windy 29 degrees. We were prepared with scarves, hats (mine was in the fashion of Santa, of course), gloves and plenty of layers. I can't imagine how much you would have to bundle if it was a real Michigan winter. Bravo to those before me. We hit a snag when we arrived. THERE WAS ONLY ONE BELL! Away into KMART I flew like a flash. The only bells I could find were attached to a wreath hanger. This would have to do. They made a nice jingle, Like Santa!, said Alex! The boys said Happy Holidays to every single person who came in and out. Nice and loud, with no fear like only a child could do. People were pretty generous, how could you not be? Every once in a while Caleb would shout after them, And a Happy New Year! Adorable. Warms the cockles, of my heart that is. About halfway through when the enthusiasm was starting to wear off the most wonderful Jane showed up with hot cocoa! Just in time. Alex was particularly impressed that it was home made. What a lovely act of kindness from a lovely person. I was so proud of the two of them. I noticed how much Alex has grown up since I met him at the sweet age of four. He braved the cold taking very few breaks. He didn't complain. He worked hard and smiled a lot. Caleb was great too, but seeing the little gentleman that Alex is growing into was very rewarding for me. Mandie and I really tried to emphasize who, what, when, where, why, and how they were helping people. I hope they felt proud of what they did today. I hope it sticks with them. I love the energy I get from being around children. A very good day today, yes indeed. :)

Meet Caleb and Alex

 

 Our make shift bell. Make it work!

 The wind tunnel...BRRRRRRR

The good Samaritans

 

 

 

 Bundled Buddies

“Kids don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
― Jim Henson