I apologize deeply for the delay in returning to the blog. I had NO IDEA, how much work was going to be involved in getting the Burgess Bunch back on schedule after my time in Indiana. Whew! I have been exhausted! My wonderful husband cleaned the house while I was away--which was a nice treat--but it would have been even better had he folded the 31 loads of laundry. Washing is great---folding is better. But I am grateful. He is far better at housework than I am. And no, saying that doesn't cause him to lose points on his Man Card. It is a relief that one of us possesses those skills. If not, think Hoarders.
The little people apparently missed me. That is what Will has told me every day, at least 30 times a day, since I got back. Maggie has been sleeping on top of me at night, I imagine for fear I might escape again. Ian doesn't seem to care that I was gone. He hugged me when I got off the plane and promptly said, "Glad you're home. Now let's go eat some Mexicans." (The food, not the people). Attitude noted, I was more than happy to oblige. I was in need of some calories. ZTA said they had me on a 1,200 calorie a day diet. I was counting. I think only the chocolate cake that one day made me get to 1,200. This time, I only lost 5 pounds.
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After treats were handed over (the REAL reason they were all so excited to see me), Will asked the question. "Mom, why did you have to go to that ZTA thing?" He isn't the first one to ask me that question. I get it a lot. Mostly from non-greeks but even from ZTA's too. He can't read but if he could, I would show him the line that reads, "Zeta is Forever." He would totally get it then. But since he can't read, I am left to explain. I thought about telling him that it was because I got to stay in a hotel all week (it ain't the Ritz but the bed is comfy) and sleep by myself. And, I get to shower without little people peeking around the curtain to ask me to get them something.
But I knew that answer wouldn't do. I thought about telling him how I got to learn about new technology that makes me feel young and hip. Tweet Walls, Mingle Sticks, Live Voting Polls that appear right on the screen during a presentation. I could tell him how I am now on Twitter and have people 'following' me. I certainly wouldn't know about any of that without ZTA. Or I could tell him all about the Risk Reduction information I learned from Dr. Lori Hart. She always has great stories...none of which are age appropriate for a 3 year old. I could tell him about Yoplait (he loves yogurt), or Race for the Cure, or a multitude of other Think Pink activities. Hard to explain so I better show him those this year through action.
I thought about telling him how they asked the question "Are you in ZTA for something to do or in ZTA to DO something?" I wanted to tell him how I fall in the latter part. That the reason I am always going to ZTA meetings is because I do believe in the mission to enrich the lives of young women, to help them grow in their potential, to help them be better leaders and be of service to those around them. I share in the purpose to create a more noble womanhood in the world. I wanted to tell him about all of the wonderful women that I have had the opportunity to mentor and advise in ZTA. The ones that have grown to be remarkably strong women who happen to be doctors, lawyers, artists, humanitarians, and mothers. Of course, I am not responsible for their success but I am happy that I had a window to watch them grow. I wanted to say that some of the values that I teach him are ones I learned in ZTA. The Creed is something I live, not just something I learned.
But that would be too much for him. So instead, I said the thing that I knew that even in his young years, he could understand. "Will, I went to see my friends." My sisters. Because, in the end, the reason I stay involved in Zeta Tau Alpha all of these years later are the friendships I have made. From college and long after, the women that I have had the privilege to know because of ZTA have truly enriched my life. Had it not been for my involvement in ZTA in college and especially afterward, I wouldn't have had an opportunity to meet them. They mean the world to me. Have been such a strong inspiration and support to me. When life was grand and when it wasn't all that great. Whether they are 18 or 80, I know I can count on them. Always. Forever.
On the plane from Indianapolis, I sat behind former ZTA National President, Alice Matthews. Mrs. Matthews was President when I was initiated into ZTA. Cool, right? She told me me that she was involved in ZTA as a Province President with 3 small children, just like me. She understood that spending time doing things with ZTA made her a better mother. She understood. She gave me a great deal of encouragement, whether it was her intention or not. On that plane in that moment, she wasn't just a former national president. She was my sister.
So for my children, I want them to know that ZTA is important to me because She helped shape who I am. She instilled values about service, leadership, and love that I am not sure I would live the way I do without Her enriching influence. I don't know that I would always Seek the Noblest without Her guiding principles. But most of all, I know I wouldn't have the endearing friendships that I do without Her sisterhood. So I will continue to drink the ZTA kool-aid for years to come, not because I have to, but because when I do, I am a better mother, wife, sister, and friend. In short, I am a better Kimberly.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteDodi