This Mother’s Day, I’m working with Clever Girls in support of Macy’s Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the “trade, not aid” program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.
I’m on only child on both sides…..and all my life I was okay with that. I never begged for a little anything at Christmas time…not even another gold fish (after I killed the first three). Life was okay in my spoiled princess world. I’ve had stepbrothers and I currently have 2. I have 2 brother in laws and 2 sister in laws but in my family it’s still just me. When I pledged Sigma Gamma Rho I was probably one of the few women whose reasons did not include sisterhood. I had always been okay alone. My goals were all about service to my community. I met ALL of my core friends in 2003. Let me explain. ALL of my core friends are my sorors. We met in a sorority related chatroom and for the 4th of July weekend I organized a meetup in Memphis for us. Some people couldn’t make it but that was the weekend that spurred deep connections outside of the internet. That was the weekend where phone numbers were exchanged and true friendships deepened.
But everyone couldn’t make it. TJ was one of those people. I can tell you that I have known TJ since 2003 but we didn’t become friends until 2005 (I think). The weekend of my MBA graduation I came home from work and found the most delicious pears on my doorstep and yellow roses (ee-yiip) waiting on my doorstep…from TJ. I remember thinking how special that was because I’d never received flowers before and I didn’t think we were close enough for her to even think about me.
That was 7 years ago and when I tell you that TJ is now the holder of the secrets to the kingdom of Diva….I mean it!
She is my soror
my friend
my sister
my PERSON
I know that I talk about her alot on my blog and I probably always will because she’s the rock that holds me steady in life….she’s my sister. We have disagreed on most political issues in life and she claims that I am wild and free enough to name my future daughter Sunrise while I swear my niece and nephews are socially oppressed like the Sound of Music kids but we have only stopped speaking once and I was so miserable about it I cried on my husband’s shoulder until she forgave me. In my head I have a vested interest in her kids. In her head they are my niece and nephews. In my head, Nat is my favorite (he thinks so too though). And yes I think they are Sound of Music oppressed. But I’d be willing to bet my life that there is not another mother I could learn as much from as my sister. I don’t have any children and am slowly accepting that my eternal role will be greatest aunt in the world. Some of the greatest things I’ve learned about being an aunt have come from watching TJ be a mother. She is raising her children with a very strong set of values and standards in life which is why I know that she will truly appreciate the Heart of Haiti necklace that I sent her for her birthday (I really hope she gets the mail before reading this). I love you TJ. Happy Birthday and Happy Mother’s Day (working on some play clothes for the kids now….except my windows didn’t come with curtains LOL)
What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush HaitiFund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.
Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.
Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.
Thank you to Macy’s Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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