The Rebound

Last year at this time, my husband and I were planning the biggest Thanksgiving we would ever host. It wasn't for extended family. It was for 50 Russian orphans and their caretakers. They are not babies, like you would think, or even toddlers. They are funny, excitable, sometimes brooding teenagers. We had built a relationship with them during our time in Moscow and they had hosted us many times at their home and school. They had served us Borscht and Shashlik and proudly showed off their artwork and handcrafts. It was our turn to show them some American fun. We played games, laughed, and ate pumpkin pie. We joined with so many dear friends who donated food, energy, and time to create a memorable day.





During that time, my house was in boxes as we prepared to leave Moscow.

Now here I am, nearly a year later, in Washington DC. It doesn't always feel like home. Some days I walk outside my door and face all the exercise-clothes clad twenty-somethings or ride the bus with the military somebodies headed to the Pentagon. It doesn't feel like mine. It doesn't feel like I fit in.

But the real tell, that time when I know I'm exactly where I should be, is when I am able to serve others. Last weekend I went with my 12 year old daughter to feed the homeless. This wasn't like a soup kitchen where I stand across the counter with a ladle and they shuffle through the line. We drove my mini-van downtown at 5 AM to bring sack lunches and coffee to the needy. Our guide knew most of them by name. We stopped under bridges, near park benches, all along the National Mall, and near bus-stops. We found lots of people sleeping on the grates. Sometimes we found them under construction tarps or wrapped in garbage bags to keep out the biting wind. They almost always had a warm word of thanks after reaching out their humble hands.

Of course my heart was filled with pride as my daughter served. This has always been her scene. The picture below is on her 8th birthday when she served from a food truck in 20-degree weather. She didn't want a cake or a party, just to serve others.




My kids are always inspiring me to serve others. Sometimes I don't know where to look. This time, it was behind the steering wheel of my van where I saw my town, up close and personal. The nitty-gritty. The unlovely.

In different seasons of my life, I've been the needy. I haven't had much to offer anybody during times of challenge or pain. I'm thankful for these chances to reach out. I'm thankful there is a little bit extra to go around. I'm thankful for the rebound.