Don't Get Me Started with Linda Sharp

Today As Always, Giving Thanks For All You Give

Up early today, looking forward to a day of family, laughter, good food, warm emotions.  For we Sharps, having 4/5s of the immediate family in one place is rare indeed.  This Thanksgiving will find Rudy, myself and Toby together under Culley's roof, joined by Sean's family and the promise of even more extended family (looking at you Trey).

We will be missing Kendall and Daniel, but they are celebrating with his family in Boston, and we look forward to them coming here for Marlowe's second Christmas.  

Looking across the headlines, hard lines, lines in the sand, geographical war lines and food lines, it would be easy to reduce our world to not much more than a hellscape.  And make no mistake, there is plenty of hell to go around.  Both here and abroad, the dangers are real, the blood runs continuously, the hunger is constant, the fears are loathsome.  Our country alone sits on a precipice of threatened fascism, promised retributions, and the loss of personal freedoms.  All helped along by far right media who exists solely to keep the easily led constantly frightened and misinformed.  (No, your turkey did not cost $90 unless it was hatched into a bucolic painting and fed rubies until you shopped for it at Dean and Deluca).

But I digress...

Despite all of the above, this world still offers much for which to be thankful.  

Whether it is as simple as a hug from a trusted friend, a beautiful sunrise reminding you that each day holds the promise of change, or small reminders that bring into contrast your own struggles against what some may be facing - as long as we have breath in our lungs, we have opportunities for gratitude.

For me, I am thankful for:

My children, all deep into the various pursuits of their young adult lives. 

Culley - a daughter, wife and mother - artfully juggling her amazing career as an Auction Director for Sotheby's Concierge Auctions while insuring her eye never strays from what is most important - those around her.  Her outer beauty is obvious, but her inner beauty is truly the thing to behold.  And watching her as a mother and spouse?  I have never been more humbled or proud.  Organic, innate, free flowing - Marlowe is the luckiest little girl in the world and Sean is truly blessed.  We all are.

Kendall - this is her first holiday season as a married woman and I am so grateful that life brought her and Daniel into each other's orbits.  She is cherished, loved, supported without question as she continues her pursuit of her doctorate so that she may move forward into this world helping others who struggle mightily.  As a sister and Aunt, she continues to be as open and loving as she is protective and ferocious.

Toby - my baby is a young man moving through this world, finding his place, refining his talents, and being recognized for his work.  Watching him sign NDAs for exciting art contracts has been so gratifying.  Not surprising, mind you.  Rudy and I have never had any doubt that his drive, his passion, and his artistic talents would bear fruit - but it is gratifying to watch him realize his worth, that the imposter syndrome he has long felt is slowing falling away.

Sean and Daniel - accepting the people your children bring into your life is one thing.  But truly loving and enjoying them?  Well, when they are possessed of such quality, such honesty, such verve, and such light?  Rudy and I are ever so thankful for these men who love without limits, who value our daughters, who strive to insure security of home and hearth, and who extend that love and caring to all of us.  This includes their families - Lisa, Randy, Remi, Trey, Suzanna, Mitzi and Steve.  In a world of 8 billion puzzle pieces, somehow we all fit together, and are so very lucky for the bigger picture the new pieces have revealed.

Marlowe - It is impossible for me to fully capture in words how this tiny creature, who did not exist until the end of 2022, has changed my entire world.  Caring for her, teaching her new things, watching her learn and grow - it is all born of pure love.  Every moment with her is precious.  Yes, I raised three of my own, but this time around I am not simply surviving from nap to nap - I am able to fully immerse, to experience in greater depth the milestones she is hitting, and to feel the simplicity of just loving her - let Culley and Sean worry about college - Mimi is here for the love, the hugs, the most beautiful sound in the world - her laughter.

Rudy - We are coming up on 33 years of marriage.  So many spent apart as we worked towards the greater good of the family, those efforts bearing so much fruit in the lives our children are forging.  As he prepares to jet off to the next adventure in our lives, I am ever grateful that he sacrifices for us all.  I may whine about having to leave the constancy of Marlowe's presence by February, but he must take leave on Monday.  And I know it tears at his heart.  Watching him transition from father into Papa Ru?  There are no words.  For every amazing moment he missed in the lives of our children as he endeavored to provide for us, he has immersed so fully in M's life that her most emphatic word to date is PAPA.  Watching the easy love between them, I fall in love all over again.

My sister, Kim - miles apart, but emotionally next door, she is never more than a text away.  And I know she will drop everything if it means being there for me.  No one knows me as well, no one receives and guards my feelings, fears, and hopes as she does.  And there is no one on this planet whose laughter is more gratifying to me than hers.  I am a lot, I know that.  But making her laugh to the point of tears is a job from which I will never tire or retire.  

My behind the scene Moos - you know who you are.  Without you, my days would be duller, my fears would threaten to choke me, and my life would be so much less.  The safety and trust contained in our little message box is treasured more than if it contained rare gems or stacks of gold bars.  But in truth you are rare gems and you shine brighter than pure gold.  You let me be me.  You absorb my need to share every breath I take with my granddaughter, and you never fail to buoy my spirits when they begin to flag.  You are so much more than friends, you are soul family and I love you.

And YOU, yes you.  Eternally grateful, never not astonished at the collection of eager hearts, open minds, and generous spirits that congregate here.  Yes, I have shared my family with you, allowing you to watch as they have grown, stumbled, succeeded, and spread their wings, but being allowed into your lives has been a gift. 

I marvel at Jennifer's daughter Madi being in NYC to perform in the Macy's parade today - yes, my TV is ON.  When did she grow into this talented, beautiful young lady?  I watch as Jamie's daughter Hailey finds her way down new paths, forging her life, pursuing her passions, all the while caring in the most mature of ways for her family.  Wasn't she just five years old?  Audrey's brood - all gorgeous, talented, big hearted young adults - I swear they were all just children in matching pajamas a year ago.  Lori's daughter Becca - she was ten five minutes ago!  But time has done what it does and suddenly she is this stunning young woman, talented, working towards her goals and dreams.

I could go on and on.  What you have shared with me - your children, your health struggles, your fears, your successes, your lives - if a life is measured by the investment and trust of others, I am rich indeed.  And I thank you all.

Finally, my thanks at this time of the year extends fully to your generosity of $pirit.  Yes, that is a dollar sign, not to be crass, just honest.  Without your donations, Yes, Virginia would never have started, certainly could not have continued, and would not be here 15 years on providing food, warmth, toys, and lifted hearts for so many.  As you sit down at your tables today, know there are strangers across this country whose own tables are covered with food and hope you have provided.  

As with each year, once Thanksgiving has passed, somehow the calendar moves at warp speed towards Christmas, and I know that my inbox will grow with requests for help.  In just the past two days, our sleigh has increased by three families.  Food, as in every year, is an ever present item on the wish lists.  I hate that, I always hate that, but it is a harsh reality.

So as you sit down with your family, friends, loved ones today - or if you are alone and reflecting on your life and what you are thankful for, please think about our world, and those in it whose lives can be touched by yours, by ours.  Please donate if you can.  Even the smallest amounts grow together and make a huge difference.

My love and continuing thanks for you and TO you,

Linda

 

 

Paypal - [email protected] (Send as friends and family)

Venmo - @Linda-Sharp-29

Zelle - [email protected]

The Worst - Revisiting Some Yes, Virginia Words From 2019 That Apply to 2023 And Beyond

A piece came up in my memories this morning and I decided to repurpose some of the words as they are applicable regardless of the year.  (Those words from 2019 are italicized) And as promised, I have included, with permission from the mom, an email I received this past week so you have a window into the people you are helping.

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I apologize if this is a Little Drummer Boy drum I beat a lot this time of year, but each day as I receive and read emails asking for help, describing the circumstances others face, and more heartbreakingly the minimal things people ask for - it bears rebeating. 

Perspective in this world is everything.  We tend to get tunnel visioned on our own circumstances, the challenges we are facing, the fears we go to bed with at night.  AND THAT IS FINE.  We all have something.  A lot of people have a lot of somethings.  But in this circling of our own wagons, we also tend to forget that as bad as we have it, or as uncomfortable as is a situation we may be temporarily mired in, others are facing so much more.

Ellen DeGeneres once talked about this in a stand up routine.  The worst thing.  She used a papercut as an example.  I got a papercut.  This is the worst thing.  Is it?  Really?  No, it's absolutely not, and we know it, even in the moment it happens, even in the moments that follow when lemon juice, shampoo, hot water hit the cut.  Still not the worst thing.

Yes, there are varying degrees of "worst", I know that.  But this time of year, the reminders are everywhere, but especially in my inbox.

Last week I wrote about the struggles of another upcoming separation from Rudy, the logistics of planning another move, and the heartache of having to move away from my granddaughter.  It would be very easy to cry "The Worst!"  Yet with each email, I am reminded that as much as I may want to wallow and throw the word worst around, we are nowhere even in the Worst Galaxy.  We have a papercut and are simply in the Temporarily Thrown and Uncertain Cosmos.

A wish list I am working on is simple.  Food.  And the wishes for a child?  A hoodie, a book, some chocolate.

A hoodie, a book, some chocolate.

Sustenance.  That's what those boil down to.  Physically, mentally, emotionally.

Another situation I have put Yes, Virginia to use towards is helping a homeless mother with a two year old and one on the way.  They were living in their car when they came to my attention.  Living in their car.  I have been pregnant with a less than two year old beside me.  I cannot even imagine the discomfort, let alone the fear.  To have such mammoth responsibilities to two helpless lives, and be helpless yourself.  (She is now in a temporary shelter.)

This is where your Yes, Virginia dollars go.  To clothes, to shoes, to coats, to toys, to food, to hope, peace of mind - no matter how temporary.

What you do is so amazingly important.  Your $10 donation may not seem like much to you, but it translates into full bellies, warmth, and smiles.

With permission, I can share this latest 2023 email with you.  As always, I am humbled by the trust bestowed on me not only by the people we are helping, but by you and your FIFTEEN YEARS of sending your dollars to me to make this magic happen.

Hello my name is Hailey and I am a mother of four kids trying to make it by. I am on assistance and currently in school trying to become a psychologist so I have my hands full. I’ve struggled to be able to work as my youngest is 1and a half and I have an autistic 4 year old. I have a daughter named Maelynn who is 8 turning 9 in December on the 16 and Sakarri who is 5 turning 6 December 9th. A 4 year old named Titus who is Autistic and my youngest named Chance who is 1 year and 7 months. Every holiday is hard but this one has been even harder as the prices of groceries made even EBT not that helpful! My kids don’t even know how not well off we are and love life regardless and that’s a beautiful lesson to learn that it doesn’t matter what you have it matters what love you’re surrounded by. I appreciate any help that we can get! And I love that this is a thing! Thank you so much in advance,

Hailey&Family

Yes, Hailey, we will help.  Christmas this year will mean smiles on your children's faces and on yours.  And we will insure your pantry will contain the makings of a wonderful holiday meal and more.

As you face your own struggles, take a moment, take a breath, and remind yourself that someone out there is wearing two hoodies against the bitter cold; that a young couple with a new baby needs food and warm clothing; that a single parent is eating less to leave more for their children; that a mom is living in a car; that a hoodie, a book, and some chocolate will mean the world to a child.  That you are touching lives.

For me, these are the daily reminders that any "papercut" I am experiencing is temporary.  And wholly unworthy of the word worst.

If you are hurting or know someone who is, please send them our way.  If we have helped you in the past and you still need some assistance this year, ASK.  There is no limit, life does not work that way.   And in the face of the worst, our DGMS best always triumphs.

Please donate if you can!

Paypal:  [email protected]

Venmo: @Linda-Sharp-29

Zelle: [email protected]

Check: Please contact me privately for mailing information

Love you all,

Linda

Your Elf-in-Chief