Do A Good Turn Daily: Girl Scout Lessons Learned and Lived

It’s that time of the year again.... the galas, the final push for the toys for CPS children, and the final sales of the two Art and Medicine Projects - Hope and Inspiration: Surviving Mothers of Breast Cancer Calendar and the Small Miracles Children’s Cancer Calendar are in full swing. I was just about ready to pull my wig off and start screaming for help when I received a call from a Girl Scout troop leader asking me if I would talk to the girls. I, being a former Brownie and Girl Scout, could not say no.

I scheduled the afternoon about three weeks out, and despite my best effort to get to their website and find out just what I needed to say to assist the girls in ob- taining their badges in three areas, Pho- tography, Writing and Entrepreneurship, I never got there. The day of the event, I was covered up in shoots as I have been since mid August, trying desperately to get everyone in for Christmas Cards and gifts. Not to mention the History Fair at school and a of other commitments, both personal and business, though truthfully, there is a serious disconnect between the two as most of my friends are of course my clients as well! I had planned to at least put on a little makeup and a jacket when the doorbell rang!

I opened the door to find several tiny faces beaming up at me. The troop mas- ters were excited to see me again (this was not the first time I have talked to the girls) and the girls were excited to be hanging out at my house.

The girls first went to the studio where I explained all about shooting and light- ing and being a photographer. They were intrigued and there was one very inquisi- tive little girl who noticed right away that I shoot pregnant women, and most of the time, they are not wearing much. She wrinkled her nose and raised her hand. Not expecting her comment, she stated, “That’s disturbing!” as she pointed to one of my well-known works. I laughed and asked her why? “Because,” she almost whispered, “she doesn’t have any clothes on!” I said, “Well, have you been

to the museum yet and studied the great masters? When you go, you will see that all the great artists sculpt and paint im- ages of naked women and stories from the Bible. I am an artist, actually a painter, first and foremost, and so logically, the use of my camera is just another tool for me to capture and create images with. As an artist, I find the human form the most interesting and the most challenging as well.” Her face relaxed and the troop mas- ter said, “Wow! We really need to go to the museum.”

As we made our way into the house, I stopped the girls and warned them. I am currently working on several projects both on commission as well as for fun, and for you my dear, I looked straight at the in- quisitive little girl from before and said, “These could be a little ‘disturbing’... and I winked!” Everyone laughed.

I spoke about raising babies and work- ing, and how the decision to work from home means there is no space that re- ally is “home.” There’s a sacrifice to having it all.... or doing it all.... or both! We as women want to be able to do motherhood and also to make a living. I just happen to get to do both and do what I love, which for me isn’t really work but gosh, it is for those around me. That, I sometimes forget. They asked me how my children liked having so many people in their house and playing with their toys. Just then, James Edward and Victoria Ann strolled in. We were sitting on the floor in the presentation room, and I turned to my own chil- dren and asked them that question. Victoria Ann replied, “Well, living here is like Goldilocks and the three bears. When we come home from school, someone’s been playing in our rooms and moving my dolls around.”

“Yeah,” James Edward said with a perturbed look on his face, “and taking apart my Legos too!” I smiled, and said, “Wow! I need to pay better attention to where the business is and let you and your brother have spaces that are only for you.” Like the troop mother, I had learned something valuable from speaking to the girls.

After answering their questions about writing this column, creating calendars for people who have cancer, painting, and of course, photography, it was time to go home. As they were leaving, I was bombarded with little girls giving me hugs and in their tiny hands were homemade thank you notes. The art on them was as precious as their messages.

Later at dinner, I took the letters to the table to read and share with my children. “Thank you for taking time out to teach us.” “Thank you for sharing your home with us,” some of the letters read. Victoria Ann smiled. “That was a nice thing to do Mommy,” she said. “Those girls needed to see you today.” I smiled. I needed to teach them what it means to be an artist, and they needed to teach me to pay more attention to my own children’s needs for their space. It was an afternoon that could have easily never happened. I am busy and saying no would have been an acceptable answer to their request for a few hours of my time; however, by saying yes, we all learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes giving back to the community brings to you more than you ever imagined. Often times the gift of giving is two-fold!

My family hopes for each of you to have a happy and blessed holiday this year. May it be filled with multiple opportunities to give back, make a difference and enjoy special time with those who you love and hold dear!

Merry Christmas! Take Care of You!   ALISA