I Feel Pithy Book Blog

So, just as I was writing a post about the new Spiderman movie, I remembered to call my mom. It's her birthday today and I sent her the complete works of Zora Neal Hurston as a present. I called earlier but got my dad who said she was on the opposite coast for her Master's class. Yes, my mom is working on her Master's degree in social work- and you have no idea how proud I am.

Of course it is also very cool to hear my mom bitch about classes, because she didn't get it when I was in school. She thought that I was being melodramatic when I complained about how much crap was involved and how stressful it was.

Anyway, my mom started talking about a particular teenaged girl she has been working with. This 14-year-old's greatest ambition is to work at McDonald's (and there is nothing wrong with working at McDonald's, this post has nothing to do with McDonald's just keep reading). This girl is the youngest of fourteen children none of whom have graduated from high school. The only examples she has had have been teenaged pregnancies and prison.

Just so you know, my mom is the oldest of 14 children. The only reason I' m telling you guys this is because my mom is the only reason that I love to read as much as I do (and her mom is the only reason she loves to read as much as she does). It has to do with her taking us to the library every summer (which is a different post altogether). She or any one of her sisters could have been this girl and there's no telling what would have become of me if she had been this girl.

Anyway, this girl's intelligence is off the charts, but she doesn't know it. The only people who do know it are my mom, my mom's supervisors, and the girl's mother (and now all of you). This girl's entire life has been about taking care of her siblings' children while disagreeing with the drug selling habits of her other siblings. All the while, she is trying to avoid the mistakes of her siblings. Hence, her greatest ambition being working at McDonald's for the rest of her life.

My mom started giving her books. And even though my mom does not work with this group anymore, she has kept in touch with her. This girl is reading whatever comes her way- which is not a lot of stuff at all. This girl [whose name I cannot release without permission] has two years before she graduates high school and has just realized how much she likes to read.

Suddenly, she is reading anything and everything that she comes across. I want to give her the opportunity to read the things I got to read at her age. So, the point of this is to get you guys to send books for the library. The library has not been named yet . But even if the library is run from my parents' house, and only includes the books I come across through castoffs, donations, the book list I'm setting up through amazon, or whatever I can find at book sales, it is worth it.

Me personally? I'm doing it for the unknown girl who hopes for a job at McDonald's.

You?

You can do it for whatever reason you want.

If you want to send books, but can't deal with the cost of shipping, contact me. Leave a message in the comments section and as long as you used your real email address, I will get back to you to arrange for shipping.

It was a very hot summer. When you live in Mobile, Alabama, you know that the summers are hot. You know it, but its still very surprising when it happens. Suddenly, your clothes are sticking to you and you can smell the heat and wetness of the air. Drinking water doesn't help. Sitting on a couch that sticks to your clothes doesn't help. Watching TV does absolutely nothing. What helps is air conditioning. But, if you are one of the many many people who live in Mobile, Alabama during the summer, you know that air conditioning is expensive. If you happen to be in the boat my parents were in (five kids, a mom who works for social services and a dad who has been laid off and is doing odd jobs to make money under the table just so the kids can have food) air conditioning is a really expensive luxury.

So, one day we were all trying to stay conscious during the summer. My four siblings and I were so hot that we couldn't even argue with each other, let alone fight. My mom came home and she looked harried which really wasn't that unusual. Apparently working as a secretary for a social services organization in Mobile, is very draining. It was hot. And we were all cranky. My mom wanted to turn on the AC. We were all hoping that she would turn on the AC.

Instead, my mom told us to put on our shoes. We did but were a little worried. I mean it was hot. Why the hell were we putting on shoes? Then she did the unthinkable. She led us outside. The walk began. It was a long walk. Because it was hot. It was really really hot. My mom made us all hold hands as we crossed the major intersection of Government Street. It was so embarrassing. But we did it. It was too hot to argue.

And then, we walked into a building none of us had ever seen before. The cold blast of air was heavenly. The women at the front desk immediately began to coo over my baby brother. I was lost in my own personal heaven. Books. There were books everywhere. I'd never seen so many books in one place. It was as if my mom had read my inner most dreams and decided to make them come true. She told us to look around. I didn't see her again until she collected us to leave at closing time when she helped us check out the books.

That day, my mom helped me get my first library card and I checked out 12 books. I remember the pride in her voice as she explained to the librarians that I just really liked to read and could read very fast. I remember her telling me that I could come back any time I wanted. And I did. I began taking challenges from the women behind the counter on how many books I could read in a week. They would actually quiz me to make sure I read them. I picked my books randomly and then read everything by the author I could find.

So, you are probably wondering what the point of this post is. The point is I love to read. My mom encouraged my habit while trying to save money and keep us cool. A library is a haven. That's why I want to start a library for the Oasis Youth Shelter. It's fitting isn't it? The shelter is called Oasis. The Mobile Public Library was my oasis and provided shelter to my family in the absolute dog days of summer.

If you want to know why I feel so strongly about providing books for these kids, then just think about a summer so hot that you can't move. The only solace you have is the cooling perfection of a library and many many great books in which to get lost.

The book drive is well under way. I have been hounding my friends to clean off their shelves and it seems to be working. I have also set up an Amazon wish list (link is to the right of this post) for those of you who want to donate that way.

I personally want to thank one of my favorite bloggers, Doppelganger. I wrote to her asking for suggestions for the list. I never expected her to be so generous as to write about the project and enlist the help of her readers. So, this just makes her even more awesome than I originally thought. If you don't believe me, check out the awesome post she wrote: 50 Books: BOOKS: Give a Little, Get a Lot

I really can't say enough about how awesome she is for writing about this. I know she has a large enough readership to reach more people than I ever could have. So I am more than a little touched by her generosity.

So here are the facts. The shelter houses 350-375 kids at any given moment. The age range is 10-17 and the readership is mostly female. The shelter is most interested in age appropriate fiction and have a need for books in the following categories:

-Reference

-Atlases

-Encyclopedias

-Sports

-Books on How things work

-Career choices

-Historical and Biographical

-Arts and Crafts

So not only am I accepting donations to the wishlist, I am also accepting suggestions for the list. I want the list to keep growing and the donations to keep going until they tell me they have no more room.

You can also ship any books you personally want to donate to:

Oasis Youth Shelter

3634 Central Avenue

Ft. Myers, FL 33901

If you want to suggest books for the wishlist, leave a comment or send me an email at chasitymoodyATifeelpithydotcom. Now if you will excuse me, I have more books to box up and send.

And Doppelganger, thank you again for being so awesome.

Yes. Write it on your hand. I picked this little trick up from a friend I met in college. For some reason, even if you never look at it again and wash it off later, you won't forget something you have written on your hand. I wonder if it has to do with all those bumps and ridges?

Anyway, write yourself a note on your hand to go through your books and put them in a box to ship to the Oasis Youth Shelter. Then, make a note on your hand to weigh the box and print a label from the US Postal Service website. Click and print is an awesome way to send packages. Print the label, attach it to the box, and then:

• Give it to your mail carrier



• If your job has outgoing mail service, drop it off there.



• Drop it off at the post office (you don't have to use the post office when you click and print but its still an option).

Ship the books to:

Oasis Youth Shelter

3634 Central Avenue

Ft. Myers, FL 33901

Even though we have a post office on campus where I work, I love not having to go to the post office to ship things. It's come in very handy since I started this project.

So, write a note to box your books on your hand. Then, write another note to ACTUALLY ship the books on your hand. I promise you won't forget.

You guys rock so hard there should be a new word for rock. I just heard from Amy that the books have been coming in non-stop since Doppelganger and Dr. John started directing people to this site and the wish list.

Keep it up. There are plenty of kids who will really appreciate these books. I'm making another shipment on Monday or Tuesday. I hope to have an actual total for you by the end of next week.

Classes have started at UGA so I have been non-stop busy. But, I will be posting soon about the drive and the books I've been reading lately. I will also be posting some thank you's to some of the larger donors. If you want to donate to the drive, use the wish list or send your own books directly to the shelter:

Oasis Youth Shelter

3634 Central Avenue

Ft. Myers, FL 33901

Thank you so much.

It totally is. I know it but I can't stop it. I know that the reason I am doing the book drive is because I want to touch that one girl who is the way I was at her age. I know it. I know its why I talk up this book drive as much as I do. And, y'all I talk this thing up to every person I come in contact with.

As much as this came about because of my mom's birthday, I know it has to do with me more than her. Because I am self-centered. I know this. I have always understood this about myself. I see everything in terms of myself. I cannot let the pre-teen or teenaged me not have as many books as possible to read.

I know. It's selfish and rude of me to be thinking of me when I write something about giving to others. But, there it is. I am a selfish woman. I am selfish in my love of the written word. I tell myself that I owe it to the books.

For the longest time, books were my only true friends. I know it sounds silly and cliched. What can I say? It's the truth. There was a time in my life when no one understood what I was going through. If you have ever been an adolescent girl, you know exactly what I am talking about. Thank God for Paula Danziger (remember her?), and Judy Blume and Cynthia Voight. They made me realize I wasn't alone in wondering whether or not I was a freak.

Now, in all my self-centered glory, I am begging you for help. Please if you have not already made a donation, do it. You will feel so good about yourself. That's it! I'm going to pass on my self-centered ways to you.

What was the book that made you feel like you were a little more normal than you actually thought? What's the name of the book you loved and read over and over again? What book would you love to pass on to a kid who reminds you of yourself?

Tell me what it was in the comments section. I'm constantly updating the wish list. Then, consider passing it on. If you have it in your possession and want to donate it, let me know. I'll take it off the wish list. After that, just send it to:

Oasis Youth Shelter

3634 Central Avenue

Ft. Myers, FL 33901

If you think of a book and don't have it, consider donating something from the Oasis Youth Shelter wish list. Even if you can't afford it right now, bookmark it. Come back to it later. Take my word for it. Being self -centered feels awesome!

As I post this, 20 more books have been shipped from the Wish List, and I have personally shipped over 200 books.

My work is no where near done. I have many more people to beg for books and many more books waiting to be shipped. Those of you have been nice enough to send books or to purchase from the Wish List are wonderful beautiful human beings. I wish I could build a statue to each and every one of you. But, we are far from done here.

The goal is to keeping sending books until there is no more room to hold them. And boy, do we have a long way to go. That's what I love about setting a huge goal for myself. I have all the time in the world to achieve it. So, I will keep pestering the people I know and sending in the books I have begged from them. I will keep writing about the drive and waxing poetic about the books that I loved and still love. I will keep shipping whatever books I find in used bookstores and my bookshelves. I will keep sending a certain amount per month from the Wish List.

But what about you? What are you going to do to help these kids who are not asking for your help? I am asking on their behalf because they cannot ask you. So, are you going to do something? Do you want to do something? If you do, there are a few ways that you can help:

• Suggest a book for the Wish List. This is the easiest and least expensive way to help. I am continually updating the wish list. Have a look at it and suggest something. If you can't afford to send anything, then at least feel good for suggesting something.
• Send your own gently used books. Do you have books that are just sitting on your shelves never to be read again? Send them to the Oasis Youth Shelter. The address is: Lutheran Services Oasis Youth Shelter 3634 Central Avenue Ft. Myers, FL 33901
• Purchase a book from the Wish List. Most of the books are under 6 dollars. If you want to do a bunch of small priced books, use the Super Saver Shipping method (You basically get free shipping with any order over 25 dollars). It will take a little longer for the books to be received but, its the best way to get more book for your buck. I normally set an amount per month. This month was 50 dollars (we had a little extra money this month- its great to have my car paid off). With the Super Saver Shipping, I can send exactly that amount in books without having to pay extra for shipping. It makes it so easy to budget when you don't have to factor in shipping costs.
• Bookmark the Wish List. Even if you can't think of a book to add or have the money to purchase a book now, you never know when that might change. I can say from experience you never know when a childhood memory of a favorite book will sneak up on you. By bookmarking the list, you can check to see if its already there. If it isn't you can recommend it. Or, even better, you can purchase it.
• Contact me. If you have books but cannot afford to ship them, contact me. I will be willing to work with you to offset the cost of shipping. Just leave me a comment or drop me a line at chasitymoody[AT]ifeelpithy[dot]com.

If you can think of other ways to help, I'm listening. I am trying my best to not ask for monetary donations because Amy Palmer, the director of this particular shelter, is very busy and I am trying to put a minimum of stress and paperwork on her. Maybe next year she will have more time and we can work out some monetary logistics. I am hoping to work out a shipping method for those of you who cannot currently afford to ship your own books.

As I work on that, please review the other methods of helping. See if one of them suits you and go to it. I don't kid myself about the size of my readership. But, I do know that if only my few readers tell some of their friends about the drive, then we can work wonders.

Think of a child between the ages of 10 and 17. Think of yourself at that age. Did you read? Were there books that you held on to? Books that you read over and over? Or, did you read everything you could get your hands on? What was that book? What were those books? Can you imagine a version of yourself that didn't have the opportunity to read that book?

Do it. You will feel so good about yourself. And in the end it all comes down to how we feel about ourselves doesn't it? Do it. You won't regret it. I promise.

I was recently contacted by doppelganger. She was instrumental in helping me get the word out about the book drive. She simply wanted to check in and see how things were going. I have to tell you that I've just been shipping one or two boxes each week without really thinking about it. But, I hadn't thought about numbers.

So, I started doing the tally and here is where we stand (these numbers may be off because of my poor record keeping, but if they are its because I have shipped more than what's listed):

• I have personally shipped over 300 books.



• I have somewhere between 250 and 300 books waiting to ship(postage is expensive).



• I have received tons of emails from those who have personally shipped books directly to the shelter. I just don't have a real count from them (I am hoping to get a real tally from the shelter soon).



• Over 40 books have been shipped from the wish list.

Its funny that doppelganger contacted me today because I was just about to update the list. Sometimes you need that extra push though. Because while I told myself that I would update the list this weekend, I could have just as easily flaked and put it off for another week.

So, for those of you who know nothing about the drive or who have forgotten:

• Recommend a book for the list.
• Donate a book to: Oasis Youth Shelter 3634 Central Ave. Ft. Myers, FL 33901
• Bring me a book to donate. If you know me, then give me a call. If you don't but are in the Athens, GA area, send me an email chasitymoody [AT] ifeelpithy [DOT] com and I will try to meet up with you to pick them up.

Anyone can help with this. Even if all you can do is recommend a book, you are helping. Just think about what you liked reading when you were between the ages of 10 and 17. Did it change your life? Did it give mild to extreme entertainment? Did you hate it but couldn't put it down anyway? Give another kid a chance to make up their own mind.

I know you guys have probably been wondering what is going on with the book drive. I haven't written about it lately because I've been working out some new incentives as well as trying to develop a new contact at the shelter. Turns out my mom is now my official contact as she has begun working full time at the shelter.

While the changing of the guard was taking place we ran into another snag. It seems that the kids were really wanting for things to read. There was no one to oversee the books being returned, so they weren't. So, we have distributed over 400 books.

Now, its time to stock the shelves.

I'm putting my money where your generosity is. For the next 90 days I will match your donation from the wish list of up to 100 dollars. Here's how it will work.

• Go to the wish list and order some books.



• Forward me a copy of your shipping confirmation from Amazon.



• I'll acknowledge you here and send my matching donation.



• You can bask in the self-satisfaction of knowing you've put books in the hands of at risk kids.

Stay tuned as I have more incentives on the way.

There are books that I love to read over and over again. I don't know why. Sometimes I think its the sense of the familiar. Other times I think its because the work was just that good. And then other times its just plain comforting. Mostly, its entertaining.

Like most people who love to read I keep a personal library of sorts. Granted I did some severe culling for the book drive. And before that I was very much the type of person who would loan out books willy-nilly. I've been composing a list of books I'd love to have in hard cover. I started thinking of what books I would absolutely love to have when it dawned on me how lucky I am.

Between the library, friends, the internet, and discretionary income, I have access to anything I want to read. I know about all the wonderful things there are out there to read. I have the option of reading or not reading because I know there are always wonderful things out there to read. I can find comfort in something I have read. I can feel safe or entertained or enlightened because of something I have read. And it occurred to me that all of this is because I fell in love with reading as a child.

Which, of course, led me to thinking of the Oasis Youth Shelter.

Then I got a wonderful idea. I was going to spend 2007 purchasing hard copies of the books I wanted for my personal library. I already designate an amount per month to spend on books for the shelter. What if I spent my personal library money on the shelter as well? Which sounds great in theory, but in reality it really wouldn't make a huge difference in stocking the shelves.

I thought of you guys. I thought of how quickly the books started flying off the wish list. I thought about all of the donations I've shipped. I thought about how many people have contacted me asking how they could help. I have to admit, I've gotten slower in my thinking as I've aged. So, I had to ponder on all these thoughts for a while. Finally, it came to me. A matching program is what I need.

So, here is the deal. From now until July 13, 2007 I will match any donation you make through the wish list. SERIOUSLY. I will match any donation you make to the wish list.

Here is what I mean:

• You make a donation to the wish list before July 13th.
• You forward your amazon shipping notice to chasitymoodyATifeelpithyDOTcom (feel free to remove any personal shipping info that you want to keep private.).
• I send the exact same amount you spent from amazon in books.
• I recognize you and your website (if applicable) on this blog. (this is totally optional on your part)

Simple as that. I will continue sending my monthly amount from the wish list. I will continue begging my friends, acquaintances and strangers for books to ship. But I will also be sending the same monetary value of books that you are to the shelter.

Here is a special incentive: you can choose how I spend my donation. You can tell me when you forward your confirmation if you want me to send specific books, if you want me to simply mirror your order, or if you want me to use my own discretion as to what to ship.

Just like that we have both doubled our donation of books to children in crisis. Now for me, its a little more than the actual donation. For me, its about passing along that sense of comfort and enlightenment. For you, it can be as simple as a tax write off. Or, it could be something bigger. Maybe you too want to pass on the sheer joy of being lost in a book.

Mine was an 80 page spiral notebook. It was yellow. I got it because the only other colors left were red and green. There was only one yellow.

I filled it with my self important scribbles. I felt so smart being able to control the words as they were written down. It was like I could rewrite my life and make it something better.

I decided to write an autobiography. Then I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings while writing about how unfair it was that I had change my new born brother's diapers. It didn't really measure up. If the most I had to deal with was changing diapers and dealing with the heat of a Mobile summer, then I couldn't write an autobiography. Compared to Maya Angelou, my life wasn't anything special.

But, I wrote in it anyway.

There was a time when I hated everything. I hated my life. I hated my mom. I hated my sisters and brothers. I hated where I woke up each morning. I even hated the smell of outside. I especially hated the sounds of my teachers. I hated them telling me what I had to do to be good and I hated them telling me how I should behave. I hated the way they managed to snowball my parents into thinking I was wrong and they were right. I hated my parents for believing them over me. I truly hated everything.

But, I wrote it all down.

One time I thought writing every good thing I had ever seen on TV in a cohesive story would fix my life. Its embarrassing and it sucks to know just how uncool and unoriginal I was. But, at one time, I believed in the stuff I wrote in my journal. I knew the stuff I wrote wouldn't come true. But, I believed that if I wrote it I could make it happen. Or, at least make things a little bit better.

It wasn't until I reached my angst-ridden years that I discovered it could be a real release to write my thoughts down in a journal. Man, I really hope no one ever gets a hold of those notebooks. I mean me writing fanfic using the two kinds of Voltron as my source material was one thing. But, me talking about those really uncomfortable hormonal-induced moments of adolescence must never reach the surface.

A journal is that thing that makes you feel completely whole. Or, it can be that thing that makes you realize just how empty you are. A journal is personal. Plenty of people publish their "journals" online. And maybe some of them are real deal hard core. I just know that a journal I keep is for my eyes only. A journal can help me organize my thoughts or deal with the crap of my day. It can help me understand myself and my perceptions of those around me.

All because I wrote it all down.

Journaling is a habit I formed early, before I knew what journaling was. At the time I started, I thought I was writing stories and then I would end up writing something about me. The journals became more and more about me. I have kept a journal for more than 22 years now. Its the best habit I have ever formed.

So, why all this talk about journals? Well, as you must be aware by now, the Oasis Youth Shelter is always looking for donations. The best and easiest donation you could possibly make is that of a journal. These are kids who have real problems in their lives. These are kids who need an outlet. So, I would like to make a goal of donating 400 journals to the shelter.

I have added a modest journal to the wish list. The journals are included in the matching program as well. So for everyone you send, I will send one. I have gotten the ball rolling by purchasing 10 today. Lets see if we can get these kids journaling and reading.

In the meantime, tell me about your journal experiences. What was your first one like? Have you kept up with it? How long have you kept one?

We all journal. I seriously doubt that anyone who is visiting this site does not keep a journal of some kind. I know it because I personally, only started visiting blogs because my own journalling habit.

I'm no novice when it comes to the internet. I've been reading and posting in the online community since 1993. I've personally found that the sites I visit are the ones that have a journal-like quality. Even sites like Television without Pity that recap television shows has the quality that keeps me coming back everyday. I have to feel like I know the people who write for a site or blog if its going to keep me interested.

So, I know that you are only here because you want to be entertained by someone else's thoughts. With that in mind, I wanted to ask you other diarists what it was about keeping a journal/diary that made you keep doing it. I can remember having the urge to just write down what was in my head. I remember my first journal and the reasons I started keeping it (and someday I will tell you the entire story). But, I want to know why you write in yours.

There's a reason I want to know about your journaling experiences. If I can get you to relay your reasons, maybe you won't get offended when I hit you up for a donation. Its not to me. Its to kids who may or may not be exactly like you.

You know when I came to realization of how this book drive has been a selfish enterprise for me, I figured I wasn't alone. Its a big deal to realize that you have the power to influence someone who may or may not have been in a similar state. Its the power of knowing your influence.

As someone who has supported the causes of books and banned books, I understand the influence of the world as it comes at an impressionable mind. I believe that a parent should decide what is and what isn't appropriate for his or her child. I also believe that the decision is personal to the individual parent(s).

But what about the child? I abided by my parents' rules. I abided by my teachers' rules. But I had my own thoughts. Those thoughts were shaped by my parents and my teachers and the things I saw in everyday life. But, they were still my thoughts.

There are plenty of people out there who need to have someone tell them what they should think or how they should feel. But what about the rest of us? What about those of us who needed to write down just how much they disagreed? Or, those of us who needed to write down just how much it sucked to be where we were just then?

The whole point of journaling is to chronicle something. Whether its some rite of passage or just a phase in your life, you wrote it down because you needed to. You needed to know that it was something worth saving, or figuring out, or pointing to as an explanation.

If these things are true, then you know where I stand. You know how important it is to have that small space to be your absolute self. You understand how much of a premium that small space was. You know how important it is to put a journal in the hands of a troubled youth.

When I think about journalling, I think about all the things I've gained from it. There is a sense of calm that can only come from knowing one's self. Its that soft place of reason when everyone or everything else is being unreasonable. Or, its that hard jagged place when you know you can only make one choice and all choices seem bleak and unworthy. But its real and its true even if no one else will ever know.

So, I'm begging you to give. Give a journal to a troubled child and give them an opportunity to speak. Let them know that their voice is important. Giving is easy. Just go to the wishlist and place an order. Then, forward me your shipping confirmation. I will ship just as many as you have. Just like that you have doubled your order with out spending any extra money.

Seriously, put my money where your generosity is.

We are getting a second wind here guys. It seems some of you are really taking my matching challenge to heart. And for that I am more than grateful. What's a better word than grateful? How about beholden? Or, maybe much obliged? There has to be a better way to tell you how much I appreciate and the shelter appreciates your help.

While I think on word usage, I wanted to let you know that we now have a one stop page for all information about this book drive. Just click on the butterfly on the right side of the screen.

The page contains links to other bloggers who are helping with the cause, alternative ways to help out, and every post I make about the book drive. Don't worry, I'm still going to post updates here. But, the beauty of Movable Type, is I can publish them simultaneously to both pages. So, if you get a chance, check out the new page. Oh, and make a donation while you're at it.

I'm planning to compile a "Hall of Fame" page that lists the donors and their donations. If you wish to remain anonymous (which why? you are doing an awesome thing, and should be acknowledged for it), just say so when you forward your shipping confirmation.

Let me tell you this though: We have shipped 84 journals to the shelter. And I still need to match 24. By tomorrow, 108 will have been purchased and shipped. Don't even get me started on the regular book donations. I'll be able to give you a better tally on those in just a couple of days.

You guys have no idea how big a deal it is to put a journal in the hands of 108 kids. The shelter cycles the kids through 20 at a time that means that more than 5 groups will be taken care of before the week is out. But, lets not rest on our laurels here. Seriously, take me to the cleaners guys. You send, I match. Just like that, you have doubled your donation without even trying. And the best part is how good you feel about knowing you have helped some child who will probably never meet you. Its a powerful feeling and everyone should experience it.

This whole Book Drive thing started out as a birthday present to my mom. She told me about the kids she worked with during her field work in her social work courses. It was obvious that she couldn't get the kids out of her mind. As I listened to her, it occurred to me; how about a book drive?

So, here we are. It's the Saturday before Mother's day almost a year later. My mother is now working full time at the shelter.

But, let's go back a little. At the time my mother started doing the field work at the Oasis Youth Shelter, she was working full time and going to school to get her Master's degree in social work. She was also working full time at a mental institution. She worked exclusively with the violent patients.

She would come home exhausted and wondering if she had made any difference whatsoever. She was attacked many times. But, it was never anything she couldn't handle; until one of the patients tried to kill her. By sneaking up on her and strangling her with a wet towel. Luckily, she fought him off. She was out for a while because of the damage she did to her foot from kicking him so hard in the balls to get him off her. But, she fought him off.

She was ready to give up after that. She was questioning why she had even chosen to go into social work (its a question she has asked many times before and since and will probably ask her entire life). But, after recuperating, she went back to work.

Then she started her field work at the youth shelter. It was hard. She spent plenty of her days thinking about how unfair life is. And that's when I knew there had to be something I could do to help. My mom was the one who first instilled in me how unfair life is.

She would tell me how people would look at me because I am black or a woman or both and judge me before they even made eye contact with me. "Life is just unfair" she would say. Then she would tell me that people deal with the unfairness every day by finding an outlet for it. But, now she is constantly thinking about what these kids have to go through and how unfair it is.

My mother is the oldest of 11 children, the mother of 5 children and the grandmother of 2 children (I won't even get into the number of nieces and nephews she has). She knows a great deal about how unfair life is. She also knows how important it is to have options. She knows how important it is for a child to see a world outside of themselves. In working with the kids in the shelter she has seen how easy it is for a child to limit his or her self as a means of survival.

And for many of the kids she comes into contact with survival is the only goal. This is why options are important. By giving a kid an idea or an inspiration they can expand their goal beyond survival. They are given a picture of a life that they could have or an idea of a life they might want. The key is to spark an interest.

A book seems to be the best and easiest way to create that spark. If one eleven year old girl on the verge of dropping out of school can find herself by keeping her own private journal, then I've done what I set out to do. If one 14 year old boy can decide that his life is worth something by reading Sidney Poitier's memoirs, then I've truly accomplished something.

And that is all this is about. My mother has been a mother for most of her life. Before she had kids she was helping to raise her siblings. Then she raised us. Now she is spoiling her grandchildren, while trying to provide support and hope for children who are in no way related to her.

Sometimes I think she was the reason Mother's Day was invented. With that in mind, I thought I would do something a little extra for the book drive in celebration. So, for this week only, not only will I match any donation you make to the shelter, I will double my contribution. For every book you donate this week I will donate 2.

You have to hurry. The week will fly by before you even realize it. I'm posting this a day early just to give you a head start. Seriously, if you only thought about donating but wasn't sure, this is the time to do it, now is the time. You only have to donate 1 book and the shelter will get three.

If this week isn't good for you, don't worry. The regular matching program is still in effect until July 13th. And there are tons of other ways you can help. The cheapest way is to simply recommend a book for the wish list. Just leave a comment or drop me a line- chasitymoody [AT] ifeelpithy [DOT] com.

So after all that, I finally get to the point. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Just because the Mother's day matching program is done doesn't mean you can't get your donation matched.

The original donation matching program is still in effect until July 13th. So, if you missed out on turning your single donation into 3, don't worry. You can still turn your donation into two.

I will match any donation you make from the wish list. All you have to do is forward your shipping confirmation to chasitymoody [AT] ifeelpithy [DOT] com. So, what are you waiting for? You know you want to donate a book to a troubled adolescent.