“Believe there is good in the world.” Ghandi
A couple of weeks ago liZ and I had the opportunity to attend ALT summit held in Salt Lake City where we were asked to host a roundtable discussion on one of our favorite things that we do on our blog, “Skirting the Issue.”
Here is the printable we used (right click to save it as a jpg…it’s a 5×7) so you can print them out at home too.
We made our theme for the class and the conference, “be the good.” Because that’s what we truly feel about skirting the issue. It is truly the good in the world. We had no idea when we started the project 4 years ago that skirting the issue would be so near and heart to our hearts. But the more we do it, the more we learn about the women who are behind the sewing machines who are sewing skirts for girls they have never met.
Here’s a story—but I promise it applies. I was pretty much a nerd in high school but my dream was to be in the National Honor Society. Part of the application process was to write an essay to apply to get in. I applied my junior year and much to my-hopeful-high-school-self—I didn’t get in. The feedback was that my essay wasn’t good enough, and my leadership skills weren’t good enough. You see, I wasn’t one of those high school students that was in the lime-light, I wasn’t the leader. I was the background flower who attended meetings and helped at service events with student council…but I honestly don’t even think that people even would remember that I was there.
I remember crying about my devastation of not getting in my junior year. And I was talking to my parents about how sad I was, but they encouraged me to try again my senior year. So I did. But I fretted and stewed about that essay for many weeks, until I decided what I could write about. So I wrote an essay about being in the background…
I wrote about not being the student in the lime-light and always in charge, but I wrote how that in a beehive there was always a queen bee…and then there were the drones. Yes, the queen probably gets a lot of attention in the hive, but I think the real credit goes to the drones. Then I wrote how I was a drone and although people couldn’t always remember that I was at the event that hopefully my work made a difference.
And with some artful editing from my parents (I still love that my dad stayed up late to edit and probably re-write half my essay–I am still not a great writer) I got into the National Honor Society my senior year.
But the thing that I remember most from that event is not the fact that I got my dream…I honestly can’t remember that much of what we even did in the National Honor Society—I remember the story of the drones and the queen. And that good worker-bees are what truly make an event, AN EVENT.
I guess that whole long story is to tell you that that is how I feel about skirting the issue. I am just so thankful that there are so many worker bees, women who are sitting alone in their sewing rooms, sewing so many magnificent skirts for girls who need a little extra love. YOU are who make the event. Really you are.
I know a lot of you think that you did very little to contribute—but it’s just not true. Every skirt counts. It really does.
And that is what we talked about at ALT…
We talked about all of you. We told the story of the girls from the youth village who sent the kindest thank you notes for the skirts they have received. We told the story of the beat up, old package of one skirt that we received from an inner city from a woman who was sorry that this was all she could give.
We talked about you….
so, thank you.
And because we couldn’t bring you all along with us, we brought some of ALT home to one of you. We have a small box of fun stuff and swag that we got that we would love to give away, including one of our “be the good” notebooks that we had printed.
All you have to do is leave a comment below…and you are entered! We will pick a winner next Monday morning.
And lots of love to you all for supporting skirting the issue….really.
~Elizabeth (and liZ)
I love your story. Some people will never be able to articulate that sentiment as well as you did, even in high school! You are a better writer than you think.
Thank YOU for dreaming up a way to be helpful and purposeful and using our sewing skills to serve a larger community.
I love being a part of it, and I am so thankful for you both in this sewing “family”.
You ladies are so good! We’ve already started making skirts for Skirting The Issue…if you follow the All The Skirts series on our blog, one skirt from each edition goes into our pile for our Skirting The Issue donation. But it’s all because you ladies are interested in being the good…we would never have thought of it on our own!
This is the perfect sentiment and applies in so many things in life. Thanks for sharing it.
I love you ladies so much!! I love your emphasis on the positive and good things in the world. Thank you for being a place where I feel a little better when I leave! ❤️
I would love to win and give my prize to that lady you mentioned from the inner city area who sent in a single skirt. I don’t know if that is possible or not, but hopefully very encouraging to her. Thank you ladies for caring!
What a great story. I think its amazing what your organize and how many people participate!
I think you should just send the swag gift to the woman you mentioned, who sent one skirt, from the inner city! And you should sell your notebooks for all the sewers who endlessly jot notes–I do, and have many, many pads of paper around my room. Any other ideas to shop for items with your phrase? Then take the profits and apply to your skirting the issue project/shelters/etc. that would benefit! You women have the following. I promise I will buy the notebooks from you!! Sorry-seem to be on an idea kick this morning. 😉
We would love to send it to her as well….but there was only a first nane and a postmark. We would love to find her…but as for now we will remember her for the truly priceless gift she gave of all she had.
Those notebooks are so beautiful. I’m wondering if you could sell them and use the profits to help buy fabric for sewing more Skirting the Issue skirts!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Great story! Thank you for sharing 🙂
What a lovely story about being in the background. Every little bit of good helps.
Such an inspiring post– I love seeing people who put their passions into action and make a difference! Keeps me inspired and working for my own goals of “being the good”! Thanks for sharing and I am hoping to participate this summer!
I read about your skirting the issue recently and my goal is to make a skirt for this wonderful project this summer. I can’t wait to be a part of something so wonderful.
I love this series. I am a foster momma, myself. My little girl came here in a pair of too big shoes and a too small dress. That is the only thing she had of her former home. We have had some come in less. Regretfully, I don’t know of any resources like a clothes closet in our area.
Super sweet story, I love the metaphor! I remember being a drone in Student Council that tried to be more like the queens but not being that person. Keep being the good!
Love this post and what a lovely notebook.
I am a drone through and through. I love you guys and your insights and funny stories. You brighten a girl (or middle aged woman’s) days.
Well done. Thank you for the giveaway.
I love skirting the issue and the opportunity to give. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea how to help or make a difference, but you putting this together gives me a way to help. Thank you!
You lovely ladies are my heroes. I would just DIE if I ever got to meet you. I secretly dream of running into you somewhere (at a gas station?) along the Wasatch Front. I wish you and your wise, common sense, real words had been around when I was a young, struggling, scared mom. I made skirts for this event for the first time two years ago to send with a missions team from our church. This annual trip is to bless, care for and work for a group of orphans in Swaziland. This country has the highest rate of Aids infection in the world…and therefore massive amounts of orphans. I have not had the chance to personally participate in this trip, but I can be a small part of this work and bless the girls in this village with some pretty new skirts to wear. Bless you for Skirting the Issue being the vehicle to motivate me to do this. You two gals are the best. Xoxo
P.S. I was a drone in school as well….a long, long time ago in Utah County.
Beautifully written and expressed.
It is often the ‘behind-the-scenes-workers’ who make something happen!
You girls are both awesome. That is all.
Laurie, I inly hope you run into one of us on a day we are dressed….because otherwise that would be very embarrassing 😉
I like that comparison, of the drones and the queen bee. I’m a teacher and a lot of the time I look at all the behind-the-scenes work going on around me, people working to make things better, not for the recognition. It reminds me of the quote too, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Thanks for your good message.
I participated in the Skirting the Issue this year, and I found that I received more than I felt like I gave. It felt fabulous to give, much more than when you donate money. You give a bit of yourself when you sew for someone. It’s personal! Please count me in again next year. I’m thinking of hosting a sewing party at my house, and inviting my guests to bring their sewing machine or just their scissors so we can “create a wonderful memory” together.
Deborah Devine @Sew Much to Give
Deborah,
Thank you for ALL you have already given…and thanks for being willing to do it again this year!
Love that quote!!!
As are you—-thank you. REally.
My great-grandfather was a beekeeper, and I have always had an affinity for bees. They make me happy and remind me that working together is the best way to live life!
Love it!!
I love the theme.
beautiful story! Thanks for sharing & thanks for your work with Skirting the Issue.
Serving others is something I think a lot of people don’t understand why others do it. But if you’ve ever served there or done something for someone who can’t do for themselves, you realize that the intangible rewards you get back are almost greater than the tangible thing you did for the other person.
I would love to use my winnings for donations to the Christmas Angel project that our group of teachers supports.
I have always been the drone too. Your story could be mine. You know what’s funny now though? To me, you’re like a celebrity! I read every post and admire all the wonderful and amazing things you do for your kids and family and this sewing community and girls around the world. You’re a Queen Bee to me, in such a wonderful way.
I have been following you for some time but this is the first time I have read the blog. I too was in the shadows but my mom had always told me how smart I was. Some times I think we all need to be reminded that God has a better plan but we must keep plugging along in search of that plan. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Christina,
You are doing such good for children! I have chills with the story you shared. Have you thought of asking some neighbors, friends, or church family for donations? If I knew of a woman who took in foster children I would be happy to give my girls clothes to the children someone takes in! You could compile a list of people in the area and the ages and sex of the children they have. Then you could contact them when needed to see if they have any extras? Just some ideas. (Still on the idea kick I guess–see my post above. 🙂 )
Inspiring
Thank you for sharing this story. The hive only needs one Queen Bee, but without the drones it would fall apart-
Let’s all drone happily on!
Your story was so inspiring. It applies to so many women who stay in the background and make their world better. We are all leaders at some time and in some way during our lives but may not be the one in front of the crowd.
“Worker Bees” (safer than “drones” now….) Love your story! and I sure couldn’t tell the eyelashes were fake! Good job!
You two are such shining examples of good in this world. Thank you for all of the time invested in making the world a better place!
Thanks for all you both do. I prefer being a worker bee than a queen bee. It’s easier sometimes to just keep my head down and keep working. Thanks for sharing your story.
I love that story! I’m a drone, and it used to bother me that I never got any attention, not even a thank you, but then I realized that’s not why I’m helping, that I should focus on people in need who need actual help, not just attention. Here’s to the drones who help move and create worlds!
Great story. Thanks for all your hard work.
Really great story. Thank you for sharing.
You are both so inspiring. I hope I get to cry over a coke with you someday. Just make mine a diet.
I love that little quote. Thanks for sharing the idea of be the good, no matter if you are a queen bee or a drone. I think I know what I am working on this weekend. Some stitching that includes be the good!
I love what you’re saying here, and as a beekeeper, you definitely have a point about hives! A couple of years ago, I entered a magazine contest about volunteering with your family, because it made me so mad that all of the winners were people who opened their own animal shelter, or built a traveling theater to take around to nursing homes. I wrote an essay about how I try to teach my children to be open to small, everyday opportunities to help others, and that that can have more long term effect than the showy volunteering. Surprisingly, we were semi-finalists (although the magazine folded before the issue could be published!), and that’s what I still try to teach my family, my students, and my Girl Scouts. Worker bees keep the hive going. 🙂
Great post. Where would the world be without worker bees? Thanks for what you are doing for the foster kids!
Thanks for a wonderful story. I think that oftentimes, worker bees forget how important they are to making their hives (cities, families, school, charities) work so well and do so much good!
Cheers!
This is such a great analogy.. I need to file this one away. Thank you for sharing.