“Do Something”

When I was in college (a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far…wait, never mind; it was just a long time ago), I was a recipient of a scholarship that allowed me to continue my towards getting my degree. Without it, I’m not sure I would have been able to afford college. I came from a blue-collar family with a single working parent and two siblings. My mother went to work again when I was in middle school, but for the majority of my childhood, we had a single income.

Why am I telling you this? Because that scholarship really was the difference between completing my education or quickly figuring out a plan B, and I probably don’t need to tell you that there was no plan B.

Honestly, I was already IN my plan B. After funding fell through for the only two colleges I’d applied and was accepted to after my senior year in high school, I ended up at a state university as a last minute pivot.*

*There is nothing wrong with this university. I loved it. I had so many amazing opportunities. I got a great education. I made friends. I met my husband. Need I say more? Seriously. I am all for state universities. It’s just not where I had planned to go.

I digress.

Though the cost of the state school was half of what the others were, we still couldn’t find a way to cover all of the financial burden, even with significant loans. And that’s where the Leopold Schepp Foundation came in. I will forever be grateful for their assistance. (If you, too, are passionate about education, please consider donating to this amazing organization that not only helped me through school, but is also currently assisting my older child through their higher education at a school of their choice.)

This was a very long introduction to get you to the point of the post. I promise I’m getting there.

Every year, we try to donate to the Leopold Schepp Foundation. I will never be able to repay them the amount they gave to me for my education, but I hope I’m at least helping a little to continue funding another student’s dreams. At the time I was a student, I really wanted to work with dolphins and my ultimate goal was to work at the Dolphin Research Center with dolphins and kids. A 501(c)(3) organization with marine mammals? Yes, please.

Needless to say, our lives rarely follow the path of the dreams we have as teens and young adults. As a result, I always felt like I somehow must have let the folks at the Leopold Schepp Foundation down. (They have never once implied this. This is a “me” thing.) I mean, their website features scholars who have gone on to become doctors, scientists, world-renowned pianists, professors, humanitarians, environmentalists, and international ambassadors for goodness’ sake.

I am an ex-pharmaceutical microbiologist, an ex-technical writer, and an ex-animal welfare administrator. And when I finally, finally found my niche, it’s…writing fiction.

But here’s the thing. Writing is my calling. Empathy is my purpose. And sharing that with the world is what I was somehow built for. So maybe I can’t save the world in all the big, flashy ways. But I can do so much, right here, right now.

Last week, I received a letter from Leslie at the Leopold Schepp Foundation, thanking us for a donation. Leslie always reads a blog or two before writing to thank me, and it’s just a lovely gesture that shows how involved the Schepp Foundation remains in the lives of its scholars even decades later. Something Leslie said caught my attention more than anything. (And, actually, spurred this blogpost.)

Leslie read my most recent post and commented on my TNR (trap-neuter-return) work in the neighborhood. Turns out, Leslie also volunteered for a TNR program and tended cat colonies for sixteen years, morning and night. And when she was telling me this, she followed it with, “You, too, are someone who chooses to do something, rather than waiting for rescue.”

And those words meant more to me than I can ever say. Because yes. That’s the goal. That’s always been my goal. Even if those changes are not life-altering on the world stage. They are changes. They make a difference. To someone. Somewhere. And if every single one of us just did something, where would we be?

There is nothing that cannot be changed if enough people decide to do something.

If it’s TNR & cat rescue – Do SomethingIf it’s running for school board and supporting education – Do SomethingIf it’s animal rescue – Do SomethingIf it’s helping to keep friends and neighbors fed and warm – Do SomethingIf it’s driving your teen’s friends who would otherwise have to walk in below-freezing temperatures to or from school – Do SomethingIf it’s writing your congressional representatives until your fingers are numb and ready to fall off – Do SomethingIf it’s protecting neighbors from our own government’s atrocities – Do SomethingIf it’s peacefully protesting the things that should never be happening in this country – Do Something

Moral outrage is not enough. Do something.

(And thank you for that reminder, Leslie.)