Completing the circle..of love.

After Rain I ©Susan Morrison Sims

giclee’ print, donated for charity  

~ 

In helping others,

we shall help ourselves,

for whatever good we give out

completes the circle

and

comes back to us.

~Flora Edwards

Well, it seems fall is upon us, and I am happy to see it come. It also seems to be a time of charities. I think I told you before that I had to select a few charities, as I can’t possibly donate to all of them. In the past, it has been charities for abused women/children and animal shelters (see my note below). During the year, I usually try to add in one or two other things that touch my heart,

and so… 

Recently, a new friend told my husband and me about a charity at his church. They give food to families in need and with the economical situation, they’ve had a VERY large increase of people in need. I am not into organized religion, but what my friend told us touched my heart. So at the very last minute I decided to donate something for their spaghetti dinner and silent auction. I donated an “After Rain I“ giclee’ print. Some of you may remember the “Mystery of the Woods”  post I wrote about the painting. (the original sold and hangs in Canada now).   

I usually donate things without attending the event, but for some reason I wanted to attend this one. So last Saturday we changed our normal routine and traveled to a little “one stoplight” town for a $7 spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. I admit, as we drove south I wondered why I hadn’t simply donated the print as I find it uncomfortable being there during the bidding.  Alas, only our friend and his wife knew the print was mine..so it was to be a true silent auction for me, and I liked it that way.  

As we drove through the little town it was obvious it was not a place of great material wealth. Yet, when we parked and entered the event  I saw lots and lots of local people helping..volunteers all of them…all ages, from old to young and from all walks of life. 

What I saw was wealth beyond material things in that little town.

I saw wealth, of heart.

The spaghetti line was long and continued to be so for hours!  The meal was simple but quite good..they even had cupcakes for desert!! We sat across the table from three delightful senior citizens..more new friends! I was happy that the print sold for a very good amount (three people bidding against each other), and I came home with an object I can use to hang things on the wall in one of the studios. Though I felt a little guilty about it..I was bidding against another person. eh, eh All for a good cause though…right?  

So not only did we leave our hermit world and attend..we stayed until the end, and we had a divine time! We came home filled up..I don’t mean just with spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, and cup cakes. Though I confess, I ate two chocolate cupcakes!!  

No, I mean our hearts were full. This is why I will always try to help in some way or another. I also have another reason, I have a debt to pay… 

Some years ago, as a single mother, I desperately needed help with food for my little four year old daughter and me. I did receive help. Some ordinary people came to our rescue..and they did so, more than once.

So…

I’ve seen and met angels

wearing the disguise of ordinary people 

living ordinary lives.

~Tracy Chapman 

I’ll never forget those ordinary people..those angels!

Though nothing like that long ago time, we all have challenges we deal with …such is life.  Alas, I can temporarily put it all aside and find happiness in helping others, even in small ways. Maybe it is somewhat selfish of me, but I also keep doing it because..

I want to be a part of that circle

that complete circle…

of love!

~

in Love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

**Note I am donating a photo finish print of “Butterfly Blues” (original post Butterfly Secrets~ Butterfly Wisdom)to the Safe Animal Shelter charity event. How could I not donate something..’tis where I adopted our beloved guru dogs, Ringo and Amber! A wonderful friend of mine and of the shelter is anonymously donating beautiful framing! They too are having a dinner and silent auction…though their dinner will be much fancier! I will not be attending theirs this time..maybe next year…you just never know.   

 Butterfly Blues ©Susan Morrison Sims

original /oil on canvas

(click on thumbnail to enlarge) 

I’ve been around to “visit” some of you..will be around to see more of you. I can’t seem to keep up with everything anymore. I will tell you again that facebook has been an unexpected pleasant surprise.  A quick way to keep up with old friends and make new!  You may want to think about joining us.  ta, ta for now. :)

~♥♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com