It's The Little Things.

On Saturday, I joined members of our staff and volunteers to host 75 Girl Scouts who live in different foster care homes across our council for a visit at Camp Greene Wood. These girls come from urban areas with significant poverty, and this outing gives them a chance to enjoy hiking, other activities, and s’mores outdoors.

Fortunately, Saturday was a sunny, crisp day. For most of our Girl Scouts, this was the first time they had ever been in wide-open spaces with so many trees, bugs, and deer. The girls cautiously stepped down from the vans, wide-eyed, not knowing what to expect. One of the 5-year-olds took the hand of her older foster sister for reassurance as they timidly approached the picnic tables for a snack and water. Some girls shivered from the cold and others kept their distance, observing from the sidelines. 

When the last van arrived, several girls bounded out and ran to hug Ms. Irene, telling her how excited they were to be back at camp again. Ms. Irene’s contagious spirit energized us all as we gathered in a circle for introductions and description of the fun ahead. 

Last summer, some of these same girls had been at camp, where they delighted in picking out their favorite colors to create tie-dye pillowcases. I will never forget Marie, one of my colleagues, telling me about one 8-year-old girl asking, “What is this?” and she replied, “Well, it’s a pillowcase for your pillow—you know, what you put your head on at night.”  The girl shrugged. “Oh. We roll up our clothes for that.” The girls then hiked and spent the rest of the day picnicking, playing with bubbles, and painting on a wall. Marie told me they all had a blast, and one little girl painted, “This was the BEST DAY of my life.” As the pillowcases were drying, our team bought pillows to fill those beautiful works of art -- and I love to imagine those smiling faces as they boarded the bus that day, holding tightly to cuddly pillows. 

When I heard that story, I couldn’t help but realize how many times that day I had already taken hundreds of little things for granted, and how moments like these have the power to transform our thinking.

The little things ARE the big things--whether it is feeling someone’s hand in yours when you’re uncertain or holding tightly to a pillow to lay your head on at night. 

When I was the girls’ ages, my Mom and I had a ritual. She would say, “Don’t forget to count your blessings before your head hits the pillow,” followed by “Sweet dreams.”  Last Saturday night, I was grateful for those many magical moments of girls giggling as they made new friends and special memories. Most of all, I am thankful for my very full heart and the beautiful reminder of what really matters.

This Thanksgiving, before your head hits your pillow, won’t you join me in giving thanks for the little things?  I guarantee it will make your dreams even sweeter.

#powerofpurpose #gratefulness #happythanksgiving #itsthelittlethings