You are needed, my sisters!

Dear sisters of my age, with some time at hand,

in case you have a little time to share, say, an hour each week, go and hang up a sign!

Haha, I did it again, using "direct speech", which the Germans are so ridiculed for. "C`mon, do this! Go there! Don`t waste time!"
English-speaking people are much more polite and seducing.

Wait, I`ll start again.

My dear girls,

in today`s letter I will ask you a favour. I am not using pictures (you know why, ahem), it`s only fantasy that I beg of you.
I have found out what is really, really lacking in our society. It is TIME.

So instead od asking you to donate money at this time of year, I ask you to hang up a sign (that sounds better, doesn`t it).
anywhere where people linger. Say, a church, a grocery store, a school, a kindergarten, whatever.
To make it sound more "professional", offer to share the skill you have.
Can you sing? Found a singing circle. Singing together is great. Knit or crochet? Play the recorder? Speak a foreign language?
Offer classes. Do Origami? (My daughter can make the most beautiful cranes out of a piece of flat paper. Wonderful table decorations).
It really does not matter WHAT you can do. Invite children. Teach them what you can do yourself. Bake cookies, perhaps. Let the parents come along, to get to know you. Then they will be happy to leave you and go shopping in this extra hour.

You will see that children thoroughly enjoy to "have" this grown-up person, outside of their family, to themselves. If you have some unusual out-fashioed things, let them use them. A spinning wheel, scales with weights, a grandfather clock that they can wind, an old telephone to dial numbers ("Hi Granny, are you there?). Or you find some unused postcards and teach the children how to really write an old-fashioned greeting to Granny, with a stamp!
You get the picture? And the most important thing which children love is ASKING QUESTIONS!
You will be surprised what`s on their minds. Answer each question as honestly and straightforward as you can.
"Will my mom still love me when the new baby is born?" "Always and ever!"
"Why did my Grandpa have to die? I miss him so." "His life was over. Just think if all the people who once lived would still be around! But he loves you still."
"What can I do that my mother respects my privacy in my room?" "Hang up a sign: Please do not disturb!"
"What if my stepdad does not respect the privacy of my shower?" "YELL at him: OUT with you!"
"My sister steals my nail polish, and I get so mad at her!" "Tell her you love her, but she must ask you."

You see? Simple things like that, but children are often confused about what they may or may not expect from their family members.
One thing is crucial, though.
Whatever you hear about the family, bury it deep in your heart!

I tell you, you cannot do a better thing for yourself - giving time.
Think about it and then tell me what you come up with!
Much love from
Angela