Points Of Light Update

I did not get a phone call or email today from them. Luckily I was very busy and didn’t sit staring at the phone.

At one point this evening I realized how late it was and that the East Coast was long gone out of their office. To be honest I was glad the wait was over.

Somebody has to be #4,995 or six or seven and I’m honored to be what ever number they give me.
And going to D.C. would be tough on the kids being home alone. The teenagers would be fine but the toddlers would have to fend for themselves and they can’t even reach the microwave, so they’d be like my friend Sol. Shit Outta Luck.

"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth."

Truthful Tuesday OR An Ode To Kris

Tomorrow is a big day for me. It could be nothing, however it might be something greater than the endless limits of my imagination.

For over a year and a half Silverbackks did some pretty wonderful things. Quietly. Unnoticed, for the most part anyway except for close friends and those who recognize things as they are happening. 

Kris noticed us. She watched. She had friends in places and she stuck her neck out for us. Now I know you guys know Kris is no fool and her words carry weight. Well, she spoke for us. A group, hundreds of miles away. A group of people she never met. She spoke about us to Points Of Light.

She told them, “You might want to take a look at these guys.”

Points of Light is a foundation created under George HW Bush. The 1,000 Points of Light award named after his famous phrase was given out to leaders in community service and volunteering. After his presidency ended the foundation continued and grew and the awards were still being given. As they reached the 1,000th award plateau the name was changed to the Daily Point Of Light Award.

POL did their homework on us and emailed me. I dismissed it. I hadn’t  heard of the group and thought it was spam. They emailed again, this time saying…. “um hello?” I responded but said I was too busy. My phone rang. It was them. I thought “man these guys really don’t take no for an answer.” The organization was explained to me. We were nominated for an award they said. I would be getting another phone call.

In March I got the phone call that said we would get the DPOL award and that they had to interview me for the award. We talked for three hours. At the end of our conversation he said, “OK. Enough about Silverbackks, we need to talk about you.” I asked why? “Because you’re getting the award” I said thanks but no thanks, I thought the group was getting it. No deal. Goodbye. He said, “WAIT WAIT WAIT” He talked out of desperation. He talked how he couldn’t let me go cause my award approval came from the top. He said though the award is for individuals it will be a great benefit to Silverbackks. I relented but while he spoke I matured. I needed to do this for the group as much as I dreaded taking credit for what we have done as a whole. Things I couldn’t have done unless we had amazing volunteers with us. I reconsidered.

What this is building up to is POL is nearing their 5,000th award. April had come and the numbers continued to get higher and higher 4,972… 4,977… 4,982… the ticker kept getting higher week in and week out and they weren’t announcing my name. I contacted them and asked what number I would be so I could tell my mom to check out the website that day. They said that their national conference was coming up in Washington DC this June and they would be announcing the 5,000th winner there. They said I was one of the few under consideration for the big 5 triple Oh. That if picked they would fly me out to DC for the convention and award. They said they would love to have me either way at the convention, “but don’t buy your ticket just yet.” They said the board would decide at the May meeting and the winner would be announced Wednesday, May 22nd. Tomorrow.

Honestly, I’m excited I can’t lie. This would bring a massive amount of national exposure to our small group. The award is fantastic either way. But that’s not what this whole post is about. It’s about Kris. Doors have opened up for us since the nomination. Local news channels are calling. Our name is popping up in all kinds of places. We’ve been in the local paper several times.

Because Kris noticed. She cared and took the moment to make that call. Regardless of tomorrows outcome, you cant deny or undue the things that are a direct result to her gift. That small gesture, that kind act is having a profound snowball effect and not just on our group, but on me. I’m changed.  She has single handedly, without hesitation changed my life and path, forever. No matter how this life ends or when I get to my final day, I will be where I am in part because of Kris. I sit writing this but in truth, I kneel. I kneel forever changed and I forever grateful.  

 I am forever grateful, Kris.

 I am forever grateful.

 I am so so incredibly grateful. Thank you.

"I love you more than my own skin."

(Source: seabois, via andryushacx)

"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for"

Ernest Hemingway (via mightyquinn72)

I posted this last night after our meeting with the Church that will be making lunches for SilverbackKS to pass out on Sundays.

Sundays are the only day of the week this meal isn’t provided to Topeka’s homeless and that’s now going to change. The church members had concerns and we worked them all out. This is happening and inside of me there is a spinning ball of fire where my heart should be. I am all of the happiest energy.

So I walked out of the meeting, got in my car and queitly said this to myself.

(Source: mightyquinn72, via creative-knowledge)

kelsium:

As many of you know, our friend Rosa Sparks is having a real shit time of it lately. The most recent in a long string of personal upheavals is that the house where she and her daughter live was just robbed, and many of their personal belongings were taken. Rosa is about to start her dream job,…

natasha2marie Asked: Still collecting travel shampoo & such? I've got a whole bag for you if yes!

Yes! They can be dropped off in one of SilverbackKS two collection baskets at PT’s College Hill or Nibs in North Topeka.

"Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Wit is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute - even when the waters get deep, and dark."

(Source: mariaarroyo, via creative-knowledge)

"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for"

pocketcontents:

bartdontlie:

heyveronica:

adulthoodisokay:

gifthorsedentistry:

suburbantragic:

New ideas for vodka flavors:

• Bagel
• Menthol
• Aspic
• Old Spice
• New Car
• Anime

• hot dust
• girl smell
• photo album
• Arby’s bathroom
• shnapps

• Pledge
• baby powder
• new shower curtain
• ham
• regret

• axe body spray
• burnt hair
• wet towels
• guac
• cloves

• pine tar 
• salami 
• hate 
• Band-Aids 
• Wolverine 

Bean bag
Grandpa
Freshman Year
Massage Parlor

Fresh saw dust
Gyros
Diesel fuel
Garden hose
Hyacinth

monkeyfrog Asked: Do you need bra donations for the bra program?

OMG yes. I’ll can message my address.