The Giver

She's sweet, funny, grouchy if she gets hungry or tired.

She's a lover of animals and  nature and never misses the opportunity to take a good roll in the dirt.

She is a baby whisperer and can calm any screaming infant.

She loves pop tarts (something she just recently got to try), spaghetti and broccoli, and would probably eat them all mixed together if given the dare.

She will read anything she can get her hands on.

She has a tickle spot just under her chin that makes her go insane.

She loves a good cuddle and hates having her hair brushed.

She is addicted to mouthwash and milk (though not mixed).

And she is a giver.

I am sure I have written before about how my mother is a born giver.   She is just one of those people who will give all she has to someone else she feels is more in need.  As a kid, I hated this trait.  It drove me nuts to hear that my mom was always giving money or food to someone else, but yet she bought us the generic sugar cereals because the name brand was too expensive.  Really?  How about you don't give money to that bum on the corner this week and let us have Frosted Flakes instead of "Sugar Leaves"?

But now, I get it.   I really do.  I LOVE that my mom has taught us to be givers.   It is a trait that I deeply hope to pass on to Kaelan, but the truth is, she has displayed a love for giving since she was a toddler.   It fills my heart with pride to witness this.   Here are few of the acts of kindness she has shown:

Kaelan is always after us to keep one dollar bills in the car.   She feels very strongly that we should be prepared if there is someone who might need that dollar more than we do.   Austin has a huge homeless population, so the need arises often.   It is tough not to be cynical and judging of people.   Sometimes you gut just tells you not to give money to certain people.   I shared this with Kaelan once, and she looked at me with those giving eyes and said, "Yeah, mommy, sometimes it might be hard to give because you don't know if they really need it.  But what if that person is really just Jesus in disguise wanting to see what we would do?"   Kid, you kill me.

Kaelan likes to say a little prayer when we approach a homeless person at a stoplight.  She simply asks God to put it on her heart whether or not this person needs this money.   For now, that system works and keeps us out of the poor house.   Another solution Kaelan came up with was to give food instead of money.   This way we would KNOW where the money went.  Kaelan used her own money to put together care packages that we carry in our cars to hand out.   With Austin temperatures blazing, we also carry a cooler with cold water to hand out with the packages.  

   One day we handed out a bag to a lady who stopped and read the message.  She immediately turned back towards our car and motioned for us to roll down the window.  With tears in her eyes, she looked right at Kaelan and told her she was an angel.  When we pulled away, Kaelan told me THAT is why she likes giving.  

She gets it.

Preparing to make bags.

A message in each bag from Kaelan.

Once Kaelan set her mind to cutting her hair, there was no changing it.   Recently, I had to undergo another round of blood infusions/transfusions, and Kaelan went with dad to drop me off at the oncology office where I have this done.   The location for my treatments is also where patients receive chemo treatments.   It can be a joyous yet heartbreaking room.   I love the folks I meet there, but I leave with a heavy heart.   Many of them are in a battle for their life.   Kaelan heard me speak of a young woman who I met during treatments.  Kaelan actually caught a glimpse of her bald head once, and thus came the whole conversation about cancer, chemo, hair loss......leading to the topic of Locks of Love. 

No sooner had the conversation ended when Kaelan announced she would be cutting her hair to donate it. 

I don't know that I was ready for this, but it is her hair to give, and well....we have established, she  is a giver.

Goodbye my tangly friend.

I had to concentrate really hard on smiling and not freaking out at this point.

Now it belongs to someone else.

Cut, sealed and off to a new head.

The last thing I want to share is Kaelan's birthday wish.   This year, instead of gifts, Kaelan has chosen this charity to raise money for a well.   She is well (no pun intended) on her way to meeting her goal. 

I could not be more proud of my girl.  

I am inspired by her  and hope that this giving behavior follows her throughout her life.

Afterall, I have acquired a taste for "Sugar Leaves".