Actual Conversation
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Not my mountain of clothes. It's close... but not quite! Thing 3: Mom? I think I have to many clothes.
Me: You do? Why?
Thing 3: Look at my basket. It's overflowing and I have to put it away (said very whiny). I don't have to, do I?
Me: Well. They are your clothes, so Yes. You have to put your clothes away.
Thing 3: I don't wanna! (starting to cry) I hate doing that.
Me: Well. If you don't put them away, then I will have to take them and put them in a garbage bag and take them to the Goodwill.
Thing 3: The what?
Me: You know, The Goodwill. The place that people go when they are having a hard time and need stuff. Like if a kid's Daddy lost his job. They could go to the Goodwill and get your clothes.
Thing 3: (silence)
Me: So you better pick your stuff up. Like now.
Thing 3: (more silence)
Me: Seriously, Thing 3. Get moving!
Thing 3: Yeah. I've been thinking. Those kids need the clothes more than me. So you can take them to them. OK?
Me: (silence)
Thing 3: Really Mom. I don't want them. Please, wont you please take them to those kids who need them?
Me: Uhh. Yeah. I guess so.
*****
And I did.
She went through all her clothes and came up with an entire laundry basket to go to the Goodwill. When she looked at how much was left, she went through the pile again. The Goodwill basket was overflowing... And so was my heart.
Thing 3 looked at me and said "I bet those kids are going to be so happy when their Dad brings them home my clothes!"
Yes baby, they are.
She was wearing a grin the size of Texas, and I could tell that she had caught the spirit of giving. It feels good to do for others... To give to others.
What a world it would be if we all could be so thoughtful of others and give so willingly of not only our things... but of our time. That is the most important thing to give. Our time. Yet all too often we think things are more important.
How are you giving?
4/14/09 3:06 PM
That right there is something that will stay with here always. I love kids and their innocence. Their ability to give so self-lessly!
I need to remember to give more! Thanks for the reminder!
4/14/09 3:17 PM
Sweet sweet Motherboard I think thing 3 is precious please tell her so!!
You know back at Christmas when you had us give the chocolates? Well, we did and the sweetest thing happened. The fireman who answered the door, well he took care of my little boy when he was hit by a car in 3rd grade {took care of me too, if you know what I mean}! So there he was, I said, "I remember you!" He didn't remember us but wow isn't that so awesome?
That was such a great night. Thank you Motherboard.
4/14/09 3:17 PM
That is the way my girl is she always gives hers to girls in our ward that need them. She never cries that she wants to keep it all. I am glad If only we could instill in all children that we need to give to be happy instead of just wanting everything. I was able to give a lady that I visit teach an outfit for her daughter in law to wear to church. It was great because she came the very next week wearing it. I was glad that that was all it took to get her to come. Where we live there is not any stores for clothes and helping her out that way was so easy. The greatest part was the daughter is not a member and hopefully this will lead her to the church. Thanks for the great post Motherboard.
4/14/09 3:42 PM
Have I told you how much I love your blog? Thanks for such a nice story and reminder. Spring is a perfect time to take things out of our closets and give them away. Makes the cleaning easier. Think how much easier life will be with less laundry to sort, wash, dry, fold, and put away. I'm gonna do it RIGHT FREAKING NOW!
4/14/09 3:50 PM
We were just talking about how we needed to go through everyone's clothes and get them donated. Thanks for the reminder, and Thing 3 has a sweet, sweet heart!
4/14/09 3:51 PM
Aaw. You are obviously doing something right! I've actually tried using that one before, and I get the opposite effect. My kids would rather die than share their stuff. It's actually something I've been struggling with lately, trying to get them to be more grateful, and generous.
So, what's the secret?
4/14/09 3:59 PM
great post--especially loved the photo. For a moment I thought it was your laundry pile!
You might enjoy this post
4/14/09 4:00 PM
oops, let me try that again
You might enjoy this post ha ha
4/14/09 4:12 PM
WOW motherboard! you are nominated as Mother of the year!!!!!! that is wonderful!
4/14/09 4:42 PM
Wow. How tender. And impressive.
Glad to see you haven't completely ruined your children. :o)
4/14/09 5:13 PM
That is the sweetest little girl! I tried that once a long time ago with Gabe. He was complaining how BORED he was. Now we are a mini Toys R Us around here. I said if he was so bored with all his things he has to occupy his time then I would just donate them to a family that couldn't afford them. He thought for a long time and then asked if he could just give him some money out of his bank instead. He took me back on that one, let me tell you. We actually did a little of both. He went thru his things and bagged up items and then I let him take some money out of his savings and we went shopping. I was proud of him as he really put thought into his purchases. Since then every year we adopt a family from the WAVE program and we make their Christmas special. I get as much out of it as Gabe does.
Dionna
4/14/09 5:16 PM
OK, you choked me up, there, MB. What a sweet, unexpected exchange. Just when you start thinking you're the grownup in the conversation, your kid reminds you that their soul is probably a lot older and wiser than you...
4/14/09 6:00 PM
I love those precious moments when your children take your breath away (with joy--not because they jump on you with no warning)
4/14/09 6:23 PM
That just warmed my heart!! We do a toy and clothing clean out at least twice a year. My kids are really good about giving--which I am so thankful for!!
4/14/09 6:50 PM
Now you can add this one to your list of why you SHOULD be mother of the year. Sheesh, they are really adding up. And thing 3's got a big heart!
4/14/09 9:38 PM
what a touching story.
sounds like you've got some pretty awesome kids there.
4/15/09 1:05 AM
How old is Thing 3? My daughter could use some new clothes.
4/15/09 1:07 AM
Oh ya. And check this out.
http://tnastubbs.blogspot.com/search?q=laundral
4/15/09 6:22 PM
I. Freaking. LOVE. That you carried through on this.
I mean .... wow.
And she (and I) will remember that forever.
You rock, sistah friend.
4/16/09 12:10 AM
We did this with all our kids and they were so giving and generous. Then I woke up.
4/16/09 1:33 PM
What a wonderful teachable moment! We just did this with toys:)
4/16/09 2:11 PM
Awww that is the sweetest story ever - and such a great lesson too!
4/16/09 3:46 PM
Did you sneak into my house and take a picture of my laundry?
Because that pile looks all too familiar. :)