“Take What You Need” Day follow-up.

First, thank you so much for playing along at home.

Whether you chimed in on instagram or hit the streets of your ‘hood the fact this became a group-thing made it all the more fun.

And, as with many ventures where I start out thinking this is so not about me! Im doing unto others!!, I learned a great deal about myself along the way.

It wasnt all pretty.

Allow me to elaborate.

I learned people really do want to smile.  I tried not to linger awkwardly after I taped up signs—but I frequently did anyway.  I spied people slink over grumpily to check out what Id left & watched the slightest of glimmer of grins spread across their collective faces as they read.  That, coupled with my raging HELPERS HIGH, made this misfit smile, too.

I learned many of us need more patience.  From me (seriously people. take what you need and GO. I wanna see what you ripped off! I cant hide here watching all morning! Do it!!) to OAKtown at large.  I came. I taped. I RETURNED to the scene of the crime taping and *patience* was typically the first word GONE!

I saw someone rip at this one. Yep. For PATIENCE.

I learned I underestimate the brain of a seven year old.  Id erroneously thought she’d happily join in with the pre-school neighborhood taping but wouldnt grasp the nuance of the poster.  She loves pink.  She loves tape. She loves playing before school.  I figured we’d tape-together on that fun, superficial level.   I was wrong.  Which brings me to my final learning moment…

the child’s taping pride & joy

I learned I grew too caught up in the doing unto others & forgot the home-front.  (A lesson Im doomed to repeat till I get right) I saved a sign for us to put up after school.  I was excited for the Tornado to choose the location & to go out for snack after.  I was tired.  She was tired.  Id gotten up at 4a to work & she was wiped from school.  Longstoryshort we parked & I realized Id forgotten my wallet.  She, in her inimitable seven year old way, pressed a few of my buttons and I snapped.

The car grew silent, she ripped the last sign out of my hand, waved it in my face & shouted through her tears:

I need love!!

Her shout was like a slap in the face.

A great slap. A reminder slap. 

The rest of what transpired is personal & offline stuffs.

I unplugged.

We decided to save our final sign.

It’s now hung in our kitchen so she can always take what she needs/show me what shes “missing.”

Ahhh Take What You Need Day.

I loved you. I learned from you. And not in the way Id imagined.

And you?

Do you find you are destined to learn & relearn the same lessons till you get it “right?”Is your most needed thing these days PATIENCE, too?

Apparently some of us were concerned Id leave the ripped sheets to languish and potentially fall into the Bay.  No worries. I paper-retrieved.

View the original article here