Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New Meaning for The Long and Winding Road

I am a singer.

Of course, I used to be better than I am now since I never practice.  Most of my singing now is done in the car or every once in awhile I put on the Jackson Five or a musical and sing and dance around the kitchen -- but I still love it.

So the other night something weird happened to me -- I just started singing a song out of the blue.  The song was The Long and Winding Road by Paul McCartney/The Beatles.  And while I have always loved that song (even though I know Paul didn't like the released version and it contributed to the break-up of the band), I don't know why I started singing it on that night at the time.

Now, the older I get the more I listen to messages and this certainly was one.

As I sang the song (right in my now lower register -- fabulous) I thought about the words for the first time in many years.  Here they are:


The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Any way you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me waiting here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me standing here
Lead me to your door

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me waiting here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me standing here
Lead me to your door
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

When I was young I thought it was a love song.  Paul says it was about the breakup of the band.  But with my fresh older eyes it's making me think of our kids at Community Partners of Dallas.  


Even after abused and neglected kids have been adopted out into good homes or placed with relatives, many times they still can't let their parents go.  No matter how horrific the abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents, they wonder why their parents didn't love them enough to stop the abuse.  Why their parents didn't want them.  

Don't leave me standing here, lead me to your door.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Who's crying now?


I want to cry. 

I cried at dinner Saturday night -- right in the middle of Boulevardier -- I cried for the children in Newtown, Connecticut.

When we heard the news on Friday at the Community Partners of Dallas' offices, my co-workers and I were devastated -- how could someone do this?  Why would someone kill children?  Innocent children?  It is beyond comprehension.  Twenty innocent children killed with not a care.  We all mourn for them and for their families.

But did you know that 30 children were killed last year in Dallas?

Yes, right here 30 children were murdered or killed or died due to abuse or neglect by those who were supposed to love them.  30 Children dead!  Why does this not outrage us in the same way as the tragedy in Connecticut?

Is it because the killer was unbalanced stranger instead of a parent? 

I hope not. 

When any child dies, it should shock us. Because when any child dies a part of our heart should die with them.

I don't want to cry anymore.  Let's scream.

 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

My Most Popular Blog Ever (aka It's Toy Drive Distribution Day, people)

It's CPD's Toy Drive Distribution Day at Peacock Alley!  But it's also Wednesday, so it's blog time...

Since I am up bright and early this morning to hit Starbucks for the staff (the ONLY day of the year that I ever bring drinks to anyone in my car), I have just a short window for blogging.  With this in mind, I decided to repost my most popular blog ever.

As always, thanks for reading -- Xxoo


Tips on Choosing a Non-Profit Board

The end of the year always gets me thinking about board service.  It is when our board at Community Partners of Dallas turns over and we begin the dance of saying good-bye to wonderful volunteers and hello to new ones.  I absolutely LOVE it!  CPD has the best board members in town.

As you may know, I serve as the President and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas, a medium-sized non-profit agency helping abused and neglected children.  I work with our board members every day to make sure our agency is working to "stop the abuse and start the healing" for kids in Dallas County.  I have also served on many non-profit boards in Dallas County, so here are my quick tips if you are considering board service:

1.  Believe in the mission of the agency.
2.  Make sure that you have the time to serve -- you must attend the board meetings, committee meetings, all the events, etc.
3.  Be ready to support them financially with a personally meaningful gift.
4.  Commit to soliciting funding for the agency from your friends, family members, and colleagues.  If you are not willing to do this, just say no. 
5.  Be willing to participate in leadership if asked.

Prior to joining a board be sure to:

1.  Educate yourself about what is required of board members -- time, talent, treasure requirements.
2.  Take a tour of the agency and meet with the CEO/Executive Director.
3.  Check out the other board members. 
4.  Find out if you like the executive staff.
5.  Make sure that the agency has board insurance.
6.  Look at their most recent tax return and financial documents.

If you are interested in board service, call the agency!  There are many, many agencies that need you. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

4 Favorite Things I Love Right Now! Part 6


Since it's almost Christmas, I know you are all freaking out while waiting for the latest 4 Favs!

NOTE:  That is if "all" really means my mom and Cynthia...

I usually start shopping early for my friends and actually chose many of their gifts last year before Christmas, but they didn't arrive in time to give them in 2011.  Of course since my friends read this blog (You better be, ladies!), I can't tell you what I got them; but suffice to say I love all of their gifts and I think they'll be happy to receive them.

So this got me thinking about some of my favorite gifts that I've received, thus this month's 4 Favs (check previous posts of my 4 Favs by clicking here http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/2012/10/four-favorite-things-i-love-right-now.html ):

  1. Red Leather Cole Hann Gloves:  Joe gave me Cole Hann gloves like these http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=697727&productGroup=697723  many years ago and they still look just as good as the day he presented them.  Buttery soft leather and cashmere lining.  Would I like them in more colors?  Yes, please!  You'll want them too!
  2. T3 Featherweight 2i Luxe Hair Dryer:  For many years I have been praising all of my hair products and how they really tame my extremely curly and frizzy hair.  I neglected to give credit to this modern miracle.  This hair dryer http://www.zappos.com/t3-featherweight-2i-luxe cuts drying time and smooths hair so much better than regular hair dryers.  I had forgotten it's amazing power until I didn't have it on my Thanksgiving trip to Fredericksburg.  Have you seen a photo of me from that trip?  You won't.
  3. Thymes Candle in Frasier Fir Scent:  This is always a winner and since I put up a fake tree, the smell really puts you in the holiday mood http://www.candleluxury.com/thymes-frasier-fir-candle.html.
  4. Scojo Reading Glasses:  You know you're getting old when reading glasses make your Christmas list, but since my brother's dog Tanner (best dog in the world, bar none) ate 2 pairs of mine a few years ago, Tanner then gifted me with these as replacements.  They are the best http://www.scojo.com/women/womens-gels-collection/gels.html.  Extremely lightweight and come in a million colors.  I have pairs of them all over my house and office.  Love them. 
And since it's the time of the year for abundance, I'm giving you a 5th Fav this time:

A holiday honorarium card to CPD:  We would love for you to honor your friends and family with a donation to CPD!  For a minimum $10 donation per card we will print a darling personalized card to your honorees -- and if you want, we'll even mail them for you,  It is the easiest way to show someone you care AND help an abused and neglected child in Dallas County have a great holiday with a toy from our toy drive.  Click here to purchase now http://www.cpdtx.org/default.asp?contentID=77

What are your 4 (or 5) Favs?