Sublime(inal)

Tis' official. The IRS received our paperwork and Out of the Gray is off and running. (send money) It seems like it's taken forever (send money) to become something more than (send money) an idea on cyber-paper and yet considering how many dreams (send money) never make it out of the closet, so to speak, this has clipped (send money)along at a respectable (send money)pace.(send lots and lots of cold, hard cash)(pretty please) I'm just glad we're not going to be one of those grabby, annoying, blatant types of charities. (with a cherry on top) We plan to be subtle and handle our pledge requests with elegance and not an ounce of pandering. (if you don't send lots of money, baby Jesus will cry) (and your lips will fall off)(it's true~we know Gypsies)Thank you for your support and please continue to keep this venture in your thoughts. Stay posted! (and send money) (if you know what's good for you)

Lunacake

This is my word for the day. Don't worry, not to become a habit. I have a hard enough time keeping standard vocabulary on the tip of my tongue, let alone adding to Webster's. No, this would be the word that tumbled forth when trying to describe my state of mind to a friend on the phone. *still waiting for word from the IRS* When, as usual, the swirling vortex in my head is going faster than the speed of my mouth (a feat all in itself). I couldn't decide on "lunatic" or "fruitcake". The result being "lunacake". Nice, huh? I think it should be blazoned across a pink tee. It would also be a cute name if I ever decide to open a bakery. Or, should Brangelina actually adopt the whole world and demand that every child get branded, this is going on my derriere. (Lunacake Jolie-Pitt. Take that, Shiloh.) Though I like to think of myself as more cupcake than fruitcake, well, who am I kidding, it's a toss-up, really.

Closer to Love

Leaves are turning here. It reminds me of that phrase "turning over a new leaf". I guess I understand what the intention is, but I'm pretty happy with the leaf I've got. I'll be fine morphing from tender celadon, to a mature, healthy, fully-ripe green. Looking forward to the days I'm a vibrant orange and even, though a tad reluctantly, eventually droopy and faded, a little brittle around the edges. If nature requires a cycle, who am I to jump out of the loop and turn over a new anything? After all, I'm just along for the ride, thank you.

I mailed off the "paperwork" required by the IRS to request 501(c)(3) status. And by paperwork, I mean tome. Several thousand hours later...Out of the Gray is one step closer to our mission. Love. So, do me a big favor and love your leaf. Erm, life.

The Director Is In

It is finished! I have finished my degree and the director is now in. Whew. Check back soon...

Dedication

A beloved lady passed away last week. I just got back from a short trip to my home state to honor her life, and celebrate the ninety years she spent blessing people. She was smart, and funny, and gut-wrenchingly honest, but never cruel. To know her was to understand implicitly that in her eyes, you were enough. Children were dearest to her, and teaching and education were her passions, but it was the unconditional love she bestowed on every single soul she touched that changed lives. She was the closest thing to God I've ever experienced on this plane, and alot of what I have learned about giving came from her.

Her last request for me was that I sing at her memorial. As a little girl I spent hours singing for her. First, it was "The Sound of Music." Then it was "The Sound of Music" in Spanish. Then French. Of course, my four-year-old brain only knew English but that didn't stop me. I had, after all, a captive audience and a rather long rap-sheet of attention seeking behavior. But it never tired her. It seemed I could only bring her joy, and in doing so, she returned to me an invaluable gift. It would have been easier not to sing at the funeral. I barely made it through, as it was, and it's not like she was going to know if I didn't do it. But even beyond her last breath, she had one last lesson for me about love. Gifts are sometimes most beneficial to the giver.

With love,
Liz

Lullaby

There are episodes in our lives that change us. Some are obviously catastrophic. Others ripple by, veritably unnoticed except for that wrinkle in time which, matrix-like, alters the fabric of our core. If everything happens for a reason, for whatever reason, we are constantly being altered.

Last week I went to a nearby lake to meet with friends and be out in our ever-elusive summer sunshine. We never made it in the water that day. The beach was closed when we arrived, and I found my friend with her granddaughter, clearly shaken. Just a few minutes before, she was asked to identify something in the water. It was a woman. With a blonde pony-tail. She was wearing a watch. And she had very deliberately sunk her self to the bottom of the lake.

We watched the divers on the dock for awhile, go down then come back up. Down again. Making sure they didn't miss a thing. Yet somehow, we had already failed her. It's true, we cannot save everyone. But we don't know what kind of ripple we may be, unless we try.

Peace,
Liz

The Form

Thank you to all of you who have so graciously offered support and well-wishes for this new venture. Cheering sections are always welcome!

I am in the process of submitting Form 1023 in order to be granted status as a 501(c)3 corporation. Filing fees alone are $750, but if we want to solicit the Big Guns, it is a vital addition to our title. Who knew tax exemption would be so expensive?

Liz