I promised to write a little about Creative Escape and on this day of September 11, as we remember the events of the World Trade Center, the one word that keeps coming to mind when I think of our weekend together is GENEROSITY.Heidi Swapp and Mr. Bazzill, Doug Jones, fall into this category of my thoughts.  Their generous philosophy regarding the whole event was incredible.  I mean really, how can you not feel special when you receive a package at your hotel room that says, "Lucky Girl" and "Spoiled" with some little treasure that they have thought of just for us?  Every time I used my specially printed room key that said "enjoy," in Heidi's writing I thought, "I will!"  How could I help myself?

Even more so, I was astounded by the generosity of those of you who brought us our first baby gifts.  I really couldn't believe it when the first gift came (a darling little monkey that is so soft and snuggly) and my surprise only continued as the weekend progressed until we were piled high on the table and floor with blankets and onesies and tiny pairs of socks.These are the first gifts we have received as potential parents and although I really don't have a clue as to what to do with most of them (since I just learned what a onesie actually is!), I am humbled by the simple generosity that stimulated your desire to give something.  You know more of what we need than we do - that much is certain.  And as I packed a box full of miniature gifts to ship back to Utah I was overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness.This simple act has made me think about human generosity in general.  I have learned through our service work in Mexico with students who have mental and physical disabilities that it's hard to do it all.  Each time we go down there for another card clinic to teach them skills to create something they can sell I always think, "We need to do more.  There is so much more that they need."A quote by Mother Teresa helps me when I feel like that:

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.-Mother Teresa

I forget that sometimes - we don't have to do it all.  In fact, it's impossible to do it all.  But we can do something for the one.  Sometimes we see so many of the big gestures that we think that something small is not enough.  Big is good, we know that.  But I stand by the fact that small is even better.  Each of us can make a difference.  We can be something to the individual in that one moment that we are needed.Thank you for your generosity.  Thank you for your care of "the one" - us.  We are impacted by your desire to give to virtual strangers.  Granted, we are not strangers any more after spending the weekend together, but we were strangers when you walked into our classroom bearing a gift from your heart.I hope we get to see you in class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.  I feel like we are all friends for life.