My mark on this world

When I was in school I had a teacher once ask "What will your mark on this world be?". Back then I didn't really fully understand the question but now as an adult I understand it but still have no true answer to the question. Over the past couple of months this question has been haunting me. I guess with the economy the way it is when people find out I stay at home by choice they kind of give me this look of disgust and a comment that something like "Oh you're just a stay at home mom". After the urge to smack them subsides the doubt comes into mind and then this question "What will my mark on this world be?". So I've been thinking about the things that have happened over the past 15 years of my life since I left High School, since my time to make a mark on this world truly started and I've been wondering what have I done. So for myself I made a list and to some it might not seem like a lot but it helps ease this stay at home moms mind.

**My 4 greatest mark on this world are my children Kindred, Ana, Libby and Katie.

Kindred is a kind hearted loving man, who is polite to adults and does as he asks. He is excited about joining JROTC next year and is already looking forward to it. He will help anyone who needs it even if they don't ask, on more than one occasion he has gotten into a fight defending his friends against bullies.

Ana is my smart over achiever. She is out going and loving towards any and everyone. In the short year that she's been here she has established herself in her school in such a way you would never be able to tell she didn't grow up here. She is always willing to help anyone who needs her and will sit for hours with her little sister just to make her happy.

Libby is my little entertainer. Her smile can light up a room and cheer even the gloomiest person up. She loves to dance, sing, play soccer, and will try just about anything you ask her to. She wears her heart on her sleeve and will give anyone that asks the biggest hug they have ever received.

Katie is my little daredevil. She has no sense of fear and a determination that would put even most stubborn person to shame. I have no doubt in my mind that she will be able to do anything she puts her mind to no matter how big it is.

**My former playgroup. Even though I am no longer a member of this group and honestly still don't talk to most of the members. This amazing group of ladies that came together because of a group I started is just breath taking. I am just honored that I was able to be a part of these ladies finding life long friends even if I am no longer apart of it.

The two items above are only just a start to my internal list but my question to you my friend is "How will you make your mark on this world and will it be enough for you?"

Freecycle vs. Charitycycle

Now this blog might come across as a little harsh but this particlar topic has been bugging me so here we go.

I belong to more than my fair share of comunity discussion groups and I also belong to freecycle, so this is what this blog stems from. As I was going through my email this week, it seems one memeber felt the need to complain over and over again about how unfair it was that people sit online all day claiming stuff on freecycle when people like her "really need" the items in question. Now I am a poster not a claimer, because I have more than enough crap of my own that I don't need anyone elses, so I can't say that I have had this particular problem. She kept going on and on about how people should read through every email and pick the person who needs the item most not the first person to respond, now for me personally when I post something on Freecycle its not about charity its about getting the item out of my house as soon as possible. If I wanted the item to go to a charity there are plenty of places here in town that would happily take the item off my hand just for that purpose. Not that I'm saying charity is bad, I donate and give my time to any cause I feel is just, but when I am looking to Freecycle its not on the top of my list. I don't read each and every story that is sent to me because honestly I can't tell who's lying and who's telling the truth, so my item goes to the first person that responds to my email. Even with that said the time I checked, which by the way was yesterday, charity is not Freecycle's mission. The mission statement is as follow: Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community. It is pretty clear that Freecycle is an environmental group to help ease our waste burden on the planet Earth not to give to the person we find needs our item the most. So please be a good Freecycler, when you respond to a item that you are interested in say please and thank you and cross your fingers and hope.