Olive Branch Newsletter For January, 2003
The Simple Life
By Gabrielle Staben
SILLY PLEASURES
I love brochures. Not just the beautiful full color ones advertising
vacation getaways and new gas fireplaces. I love the homely little
ones in black on pastel papers. I'll read anything I can find and I
can never go by a stack of brochures without grabbing one to look at
later. Usually this generates even more waste for my recycling bin but
sometimes I'll turn up hidden treasure.
Last year at about this time I was looking at a brochure about programs
offered at our local senior center. I found out that one afternoon
they would be hosting free lead testing. I had heard just enough about
lead in the past to put a little worry in the back of my head, so I
decided to calm my fears by having both kids tested. While waiting for
the kid's tests, I found several more stacks of brochures! Oh joy!
Something to read! In those brochures there was a program that offered
lead abatement grants to homeowners with young children in certain
zip codes. It looked like we were eligible so when we got home I
called the number and requested an application.
At about the time I started to fill out the application, (two weeks
later) we received a letter that our youngest child's lead level was
above the acceptable amount. Along with the letter we received several
more brochures. I read them like sacred text. We found ourselves
washing the house from top to bottom to eradicate the evil lead dust.
We looked for calcium fortified foods to counteract the effects of
lead, prayed, and sent in the application. Now, several tests later
(the lead levels are coming down, thank God) we are nearly finished
with the process of receiving our grant. The renovations are ones that
we had hoped to do a little at a time as we saved up money.
(New windows, new bathroom floor, fresh paint). We are grateful to be
able to get them now when the children need them.
Not everyone loves to read brochures, but every one does love to do
something. Something of no immediately useful value, perhaps even
something silly. Do it! Don't justify what you love to do, or analyze
it. Do what you love to do fully, enjoying every moment, and someday
perhaps your silly pleasure will transform itself into one of life's
true blessings. Embrace that moment when it does!
Back to Top
This Newsletter's Table of Contents
Newsletter Selection Menu
Home Page
|
