"Become the change you want to see"-Gandhi

This year I want to become better, work harder, think faster, listen more intently, see the smallest details and always, always, always remember that I have a purpose here and I get to choose what it is. I believe my purpose is as a writer. In that spirit, this new blog will be one of gratitude and remembrance. It will be a weekly reminder for all of us that we are the ones who can change lives, inspire hope and acknowledge miracles. We are the ones who can extend a hand out to those who might feel lost and empty, so that they know they are not alone. We are the ones who can actively promote gratitude for even the smallest kindness, simplest pleasure, pointing out how even a singular sunrise can change an entire perspective.

This blog will be produced once a week as a way to keep us all joined together in a place of love. Every week I will ask you to pray for, think kindly of, remember, or take action for a group of people , who might other wise go unnoticed. For the next 52 weeks we will acknowledge those who deserve our love, praise and appreciation. This is not a cause as much as it is a call to action, real action, not politically motivated action. How you answer is up to you. There are no "wrong" ways to extend gratitude and appreciation. Some of the best gifts I have ever gotten didn't cost a thing.

Today's group is single mothers. With a divorce rate rapidly approaching 60%, the number of single mothers out there are multiplying at an even higher rate to due relationships outside of marriage and the number of teenage pregnancies. The bottom line is single mothers are becoming more common than those who are and remain married. Regardless of any moral issues felt by the climbing statistics, the bigger issue is there are moms out there doing their best with little money and even smaller amounts of help. As frustrating as it is to raise kids with two parents, I want to take a moment and recognize those who are forced to do it alone. I obviously, have close ties to this group because of my own past. It is why they get to be number one on the hit parade. I should correct this and say I want the single fathers out there to be included into today's moment. There are men out there raising their kids alone. They are often forgotten even more than the women, for no other reason than there are so few of them.

I was embarrassed of my tiny salary as a single mother and unfortunately there were those folks who found great joy in my inability to provide more for my family. People introduced me as "the divorced one up the street". My job was on the line more than once because of sick children. My personal favorite was when women would circle around their husbands, as if I was going to kidnap them in the middle of a dinner party just so I could have a man of my very own. Eventually, I stopped hanging around married people,because I was looked down upon. Yes, it stinks! But here's the thing, we have the chance now to eliminate the stereo types, treat others respectfully and offer help in whatever way we can. Even if it's merely a compliment about how hard they trying, or a batch of cookies, or an extra car pool or a quiet prayer for their health and safety and the safety of their children.

Think! Do you know a single parent? Do you know of a parent who looks as though they are hanging by a thread? Have you passed the same person a hundred times and noticed that they always look as though they may fall apart right in front of the school they are dropping off their kids at?

Call to action! What CAN you do? It is never about money when we give of ourselves. Sometimes it may require currency, but chances are, it is simpler than that. Can you drive their kids to school one day to help them out? Can you make a dinner and deliver it, so they don't have to cook every night? Leave them clothes your older kids have outgrown? Trust me, that was one of the greatest gifts I ever got. Take a bouquet of home grown or grocery store flowers with a note that says, "I see how hard you work to raise your kids. You are an inspiration." If you see them at church, send them a note in the mail that says you are praying for them and hope this year brings happiness and continued good health to them. If it is not someone you have ever talked to, then say "Hi" and pray for them at home. Maybe in time, ask them to go out for a cup of coffee and then treat. Remember, we have a week starting Sunday, January 3, 2010. Next Sunday will start a new week and a new group.

OK, my darlings, you can see where we are going with this. Join me in making this year about becoming what we want to see? I sincerely hope you will. If you have ideas or stories you want to tell about your call to action, please leave your comments on the blog to share. My hometown friends inspired this blog. The way we have learned how to care for each other (and me) even when we are miles apart is nothing short of miraculous. This blog is in honor of them.

On a side note---the name of this blog is All Heart. I named it that because in the movie "Jerry McGuire", Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character yells, "I am all heart, M***** F*****!" Yes, it is very crude and slightly vulgar, but it describes me to tee. I personally, know that I am crude and slightly vulgar, but am ready and willing to put my money where my mouth is, whenever there is a chance to do a good deed.

Welcome to my first attempt to become something I would love to see in my future.