So just when I thought I was finally “getting it”… you know… finally dedicating the time to organize a charity event like I have wanted to for the past several years, well, that’s when I realized, I still have a long way to go!

Putting together this charity event has been such a wonderful experience.  Jen and I have spent HOURS pouring over the details and really trying hard to focus on our goal… to give back the community - particularly children in need.

I never really expected anyone else to be as excited about the charity as we were.  I mean… how many solicitation calls a month do we get to donate to…. blah blah blah… I know they are all good causes… and I know that we would all love to give endlessly.  But let’s be honest… we’ve got to take care of our own families too!

So, needless to say, I am so grateful and impressed at the positive response we have received for SPRING FOR CHARITY. I suppose the super cute baby chics (yes, that is redundant, but go with me OK…), spring clothes shopping, and photography helps promote such a worthy cause.

But today… wow… today I was blown away by one mom’s comment.

Let me back up… most of the responses I have received go something like this:

“Marnee… cute pictures.  Wow… that is such a great idea!  I love Parker holding that baby chic (see, I’m not the only one that says that).  So, what’s this all about?  Oh, charity?  That’s nice you are doing that.  So, what do I get for the $75?”

Cool… huh.  Nothing wrong with that at all… but today… I heard:

“I’m so glad to see that you would take the time and effort to help raise money to support such an overlooked group of children in our community.  I would love to be able to be involved.  What can I do to help?  How can I donate?  The photos are such a great bonus!  What a great way to open up an important conversation with our kids about charity.”

I don’t know why that was so powerful today.  But somehow it was one of those WOW moments… one of those moments that I thought - she’s got it right… I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT LIKE THAT!  I’ve been so busy planning, organizing, and even photographing my kids for the marketing pieces… that I haven’t taken the time to explain to them what this is for.  I have totally missed the teaching experience!

And not only did I miss that… I just love her unselfish response… she wasn’t concerned about what she got, but how she could give!  Oh… now I just have one more thing to add to my list of “things to improve to become a better mom, business owner, wife, etc. etc.”

I don’t even think this mom reads my blog, but thank you!  Thank you for reminding me what this is all about!  Sometimes we just get caught up in the “to-do’s” and “what do we get out of it” that we forget what is really important.