1. A Side Benefit

of working at Better Beginnings is that we often have visitors who are, by nature, generous and caring, usually on a mission of loving-kindness.  The children, their families and we, the faculty, flourish in this warmth.   The Women of the Cranbury United Methodist Church are an example.

For some time now, they have been collecting needed items, such as paper goods and learning materials, for Better Beginnings.   On Wednesday, at their invitation, I attended a meeting They wanted to hear more about how Better Beginnings got started and what we are doing at present.   What a warm reception I received!    Kathy Frohbieter, their energetic leader, was standing on the sidewalk, watching for my car so that she could direct me to a parking place she was saving for me!   Other members came out to help me settle in and carry my display inside.   What a joy.  These friendly ladies made me feel so welcome, and we shared common experiences and enthusiasms, at a table that looked like sunshine with its handmade yellow tablecloth enhanced with early jonquils from a member’s garden.   After a tasty lunch, I got to speak about my favorite topic, the beautiful children of Better Beginnings.  My audience was responsive, warmly curious, and knowledgeable.   I reminded them of the connection Cranbury has with Better Beginnings from our early days.  Then I found that one member, Barbara Spiridon, volunteers at one of the bilingual Kindergartens in East Windsor, and agreed that our young graduates are joyful, friendly, beautiful and smart!   I was feeling very blessed.  Then they gave me lots of paper goods and classroom materials to take back to the Center.   What a great day for me, making new friends who are so warm and caring.

And then there was more:  The next day I got a call letting me know that they were also making a financial contribution.  This was most welcome, since we continue to be, like those we serve, lacking in funding, but big on determination.

2. Side light:

I had to cross three county lines and five  (cont.)

municipalities (one twice) to get to the Church,  although it is  only 8.9 miles from my front door in Roosevelt.

3. Human Side:

Back at Better Beginnings, “Gonzo”, one of our Maguire AFB friends from the pre 9/11 days, was visiting.   He had not had a leave for two years, and he chose to spend much of it with us, working on computers, fixing things, and visiting with the kids.  On Friday, his last day with us, he took up a collection from his AF buddies and added it to his own funds, to buy our young students a DVD player and a movie about Clifford, everybody’s favorite red dog.  We do love him and miss him, and are very proud of him.  Stay safe, our friend, we miss you and wish you well.

4. On Our Side:

Just as caring, warm and friendly are the members of is Beth El Synagogue (Harriet Lazarus), who donated 13 bottles of juice; “Mr. Johnathan” Craig who dated tapes, cds and snacks; Carol Jones who donated paper goods and classroom materials, Althea Lewis who donated paper goods, Angelica Arevalo who donated 2 cases of juice as well as 1 case of bottled water for our emergency supply, and Dr. David Goldstein who donated many useful items.

5. BeSide Herself:

Penny Pincher loves April, of course, because people who care about the environment and the health of our earth, offer many ideas for recycling and re-using.  National Wildlife Federation suggests that if each of us performs one small act for the environment, it can make a big difference.  They suggest, “It could be something as simple as turning off the lights when leaving a room...recycling old newspapers and magazines...planting a tree to clean the air...or putting up a bird house.” 

Side by Side:  I am reminded of an old song, “We ain’t got a barrel of money; We may be ragged and funny; But we’ll travel along, Singing our Song, Side by Side”.   “I remember that one”, she sighed.